PRESORTED STANDARD PERMIT #3036 WHITE PLAINS NY
Vol. IV NO XLXXV Thursday, October 28, 2010 Westchester’s Most Influential Weekly 20 Seconds
The Hezitorial: Political Heat Wave By Hezi Aris... Page 2; HalloweenTech; A Fantasy Tale By Gail Farrelly... Page 6; Police Presence in Downtown New Rochelle is “Crucial” By Peggy Godfrey... Page 8; A Tribute to Veterans By Col. Arthur DeRuve... Page 8; Foodchester: Orfino’s - Fine Gold found in Briacliff Manor By Hezi Aris... Page 12; Monroe College Explore How Hispanics Embrace Social Network Tools By Rob Seitz... Page 12; Taking on Student Stress, the Education System, and “Teaching to the Test”... Page 14; The Public Service Commission, United Water of New Rochelle, and the Village of Bronxville By May C. Marvin... Page 16; The Revitalization of Larchmont By Bary Alyssa Johnson... Page 17; Nuremberg Indictment Day By Prof. John Q. Barrett... Page 18; 20 Seconds By Nancy King... Page 19; Ed Koch Movie Reviews: “Mao’s Last Dancer” and “Inside Job”... Page 24; The Sounds of Blue: Santana-Guitar Heaven By Bob Putignano... Page 27; Ed Koch Commentary: Canada Appears More Protective of Its Children By Edward I. Koch... Page 28; Than Is the U.S. New York Civic: A New Low By Henry J. Stern... Page 29; Weir Only Human: Don’t Tug on Superman’s Cape By Bob Weir... Page 30; Statement By Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins... Coup Attempt to Depose Yonkers Conservative Committee Falters By Hezi Aris... Page 31; Air Force Association commences Cybersecurity Competition By Bary Alyssa Johnson... Page 33; Republican Candidate for Attorney General Don Donovan; How Does He Measure Up By Jeffrey Deskovic... Page 34’; Legal Notices... Page 36 www.westchesterguardian.com Page 2 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010
Of Significance The Hezitorial By Hezi Aris Hezitorial...... 2 Books...... 6 Community...... 8 Political Heat Wave Yonkers did not need to await a financial tackling how to dismiss a wayward, belligerent Country...... 10 crisis for a rhetorical fog to descend upon the mayor out of office rather than to submit to his Cuisine...... 12 City of Hills. We were doing just fine thank you, plot to have another arrogant, maniacal, char- Education...... 14 concealing our underlying economic and social acter succeed him; reference is made of appointed deficiencies. Only until a few weeks ago, City Yonkers Deputy Mayor William “Bill” Regan. Government...... 16 Hall was succeeding. Today, cracks in their forced Will Yonkersites have become righteous over History...... 18 optimism based upon allegedly false financial the recent debacles that plague us, or is the threat statements are beginning to show. of having to indemnify the mayor $8 million in Investigations...... 19 When New York State found itself buried personal loss, which translates to a 6 percent tax Judges...... 21 under a $9 billion deficit, Yonkers Mayor increase and even more future debt service be the Amicone extolled the city’s unsubstantiated catalyst to set us on the path toward righteous- Movie Review...... 24 economic strengths and managed to disarm the ness? While the mayor sweats out his diminishing Music...... 27 city their rationality of thought and the yet to be prospects, the city sits in hope that this problem OpEd...... 28 seen, fiscal ledgers to prove otherwise. soon goes away. It will be interesting to witness The political pessimism about us has short- the vote of those on the Yonkers City Council Politics...... 31 ened the timeline for everyone, especially that of who would dare to indemnify the mayor for the Technology...... 33 term-limited Mayor Phil Amicone. His plot to $8 million personal liability. step down cannot take place prior to Election Day, Mayor Amicone’s legacy has produced Truth and Justice...... 34 but the walls to his ivory tower are being scaled by nothing but promises. There are no recurring Legal Notices...... 36 the recent First Amendment Rights he so arro- revenues; there are only accelerating, accumu- gantly breached. He is personally liable to pay $8 lating debts, and no physical imprint of any kind million dollars for that arrogant maneuver which to connote progress under any definition which maligned the United States Constitution. In exists today, or may be surmised into the future. unleashing his anger at The Westchester Guardian The cost of daylighting the Nepperhan River Phil Amicone as expressed by a recent New York has already been received. Where is the money? Times editorial advised he had “lost.” He did Last week, Mayor Amicone asked the Yonkers not contemplate one moment before spending City Council to approve a Capital Improvement over $1 million in taxpayer money to defend his Plan (CIP) budget in excess of $90 million. Westchester’s Most Influential Weekly unconscionable act of directing City workers to Almost $14 million of that is targeted for the steal newspaper distribution boxes from which already paid for daylighting project. FACT: one could pick-up a copy of the free weekly. He Yonkers has received in total $34 million toward Guardian News Corp. did not comprehend, as many even in the legal the daylighting effort. Will the Yonkers City profession have yet to comprehend that the living, Council be beseeched a third time before the (not) P.O. Box 8 breathing United States Constitution, infused shovel ready project gets underway? The project New Rochelle, New York 10801 by the decorum of the present political climate, is a daydream... It is not going anywhere. Instead. demands Mayor Amicone’s culpability because the $90 million CIP request is a last ditch effort to Sam Zherka , Publisher & President he stepped beyond the parameters permitted even take money which upon receipt often evaporates [email protected] the Mayor of Yonkers. Upon reflection, present from any fiscal tracking system. It’s like magic. Yonkers City Councilwoman Joan Gronowski, Poof, and it’s gone. One must wonder where. similarly robbed of her rights years ago on similar With approximately 14 months to go before Hezi Aris, Editor-in-Chief & Vice President circumstances was chewed up and spat out in an Mayor Amicone’s term is officially up, is it prudent [email protected] effort to destroy her political freedoms. It was a to permit his failed administration to administer different time. The suffering is the same then, as an additional $90 plus million? I say, “No!” Mayor News & Editorial: (914) 632-2540 it is now. The difference is Ms Gronowski’s lack Amicone has proved himself ill-equipped to Advertising & Photos: (914) 576-1481 of financial prowess then, as opposed to Publisher grapple with the complexity of the fiscal crisis that Sam Zherka’s largesse today. besets Yonkers and his lack of a “plan” to side-step Fax: (914) 633-0806 They are both in the right, yet one has born the illiquid prospects of the SFC Yonkers Project the scars of being dismissed while the other bears espoused in word but not deed for the downtown Published online every Monday the scars by which his victory is proclaimed. In redevelopment effort.. Print edition distributed Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday both situations, the silence among our residents, The alleged theft of property which has for fear of retribution, should give not one of us become the focal point about which SFC Yonkers solace. Not then, nor now. Can we find even a few is to be built is deficient in its construction by the righteous among us to haul the arrogant mayor failure of not having clear Title to the property. from power. Upon reflection, the YonkersC harter A suit will challenge the City of Yonkers and www.westchesterguardian.com Revision Commission would have been better Continued on page 4 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010 Page 3
Political Heat Wave Page 4 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010
Political Heat Wave JOHN P. POLLIS, II REALTY CORP. Continued from page 2 a developer who does not own Title to COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE BROKERS specifically Mayor Amicone and Yonkers property they wish to develop an $8 million inducement to do just that. Under their Commercial Mortgages for Note Purchases. Corporation Counsel their deflinquency in acquiring legal Title to the property watch, the financial debacle that must John P. Pollis, II for which the Yonkers IDA, with Mayor be uncovered by the Yonkers Inspector President, 1986 – present Amicone as its chair, induced the Greystone General is suspect. We will give him the Foundation with $8 million in taxpayer time to clear his name with the truth by his funds to build a parking lot upon land they findings of the financial books of theB oard have no right to do anything. Will New of Education and specifically the Yonkers York State be next to file suit against Mayor Federation of Teachers Welfare Fund to Amicone? It is New York State taxpayer which $4 million is added to the funded funds that are at issue here.Will Yonkersites annually. We will watch over his every word. have to indemnify the City of Yonkers We will prove every falsehood. We have the against the State of New York because of facts. It is his turn now. We will have the last the allegedly illegal conducted forced upon word. The name of Yonkers Public School Yonkers by this administration? Is anyone Superintendent Bernard Pierorazio among watching? Has Inspector General Dan others will lose much in the telling of the facts. Call John P. Pollis today at: Schorr caught on yet? If not yet, when will Yonkers will be fighting in courts for 917.559.4470 he catch on? The Father Pat Carole Greene years to come, not because of the telling by e-mail [email protected] Development is still a thorn in this writer’s the acid-tongued bloggers but rather by the conduct of those who speak in our name yet Tel. (212) 873-9380 • Fax (845) 876-2050 side. When will a lawsuit be brought before COMMERCIAL MORTGAGES the courts to remedy that debacle; another wield the power we have bestowed them the 38 West 75th Street, Suite BR, New York, NY 10023 ability to harm us. FOR NOTE PURCHASES situation that took place under the aegis of New to market 1st mortgages for purchases of commercial notes, 7.5% Yonkers Mayor Amicone. Again, a devel- There have been no beneficial effects of interest, 50% of note price, 30 day closing. Also, apartment buildings, com- opment project, using taxpayer funds, and their failure. Our educational system is in mercial strip malls and offi ces- fi nancing 4.25% to 5.25%, 30 day closing. allegedly doing less than promised. Who shambles. Retribution is exacted at Mayor turned a blind eye on that development and Amicone’s every whim. why? we will soon find out. More clever leaders might have kept Does the Yonkers City Council intend Yonkers from the troubles to which it to bail out the failed and bankrupt Yonkers contends today. Shame on them all for Direct Hard Money Parking Authoity whose chair is Yonkers parking such a sorry legacy upon the City Deputy Mayor Bill Regan within the hidden of Hills. Lender guise of the CIP bond for over $90 million Yonkers will not easily extract herself that once approved will not permit trans- from the mess they have created. It would 14% Interest parency as to how and where the funds are be sweet justice indeed for Mayor Amicone disbursed? Can our elected officials be trusted to depart Yonkers City Hall shamed by 1 Year Bridge Loans to do the right thing? Again, I say, “No!” his lack of ability, lack of forethought, and Collectively, they have proven them- penniless to boot. Why? Because that is the selves incompetent, arrogant, brazen, and legacy he has bequeathed Yonkers. Is there self-involved. If they were only benevolent, anyone who believes he is deserving even $20,000-$1 Million we could and would overlook their short- the dirt under our collective nails? I don’t. comings. Alas, they are not. Personally, I prefer knowing where Secured by Real Estate City Hall, specifically Phil Amicone Sassy may be found. I have her $20; and and Bill Regan, respectively as Mayor $20 more. Immediate Answer and Deputy Mayor of Yonkers, have gone While I search for Sassy, ask yourselves beyond the powers granted them their why Mayor Amicone has been involved Closing in 7 Days respective offices. Under their watch, the in controlling the Conservative Party in Yonkers Parking Authority has been bank- Yonkers rather than focusing on the needs rupted. Under their authority the First of Yonkersites. Mayor Amicone, in conjunc- Amendment Rights granted by the United tion with County Executive Rob Astorino States Constitution have been trashed. each languish behind their promises to their Call G. Morales Under their watch funds for daylighting the respective constituents. When it comes for Nepperhan River have yet to be divulged them to deliver to The People, they each have 914.632.1243 and are allegedly lost, stolen, or morphed reacted more slowly to our concerns than a beyond original purpose or scrutiny. Under burp after a bad meal. T. 914.632.1243 • Mon.-Fri. 10AM-6PM their watch the Yonkers IDA has afforded Alka Selter, please. The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010 Page 5
DougFOR COUNTY Martino COURT JUDGE UNMATCHED EXPERIENCE Endorsed by Vote Republican and November 2 Independent Parties
LEGAL EXPERIENCE PUBLICATIONS Arbitrator; NYS Attorney-Client Fee Dispute Resolution Program Quinipiac University School of Law, Law Review: Globe Newspapers v, Superior City of Mount Vernon Small Claims Court Arbitrator. Court, Free Press and the Right of Trial Access, Vol 4, page 189 Mock Trial Judge, Westchester County Bar Association Outreach Program ASSOCIATIONS Moot Court Judge, Quinnipiac University School of Law Pace University Women’s Justice Center; representing indigent women in Supreme and Family Court President 1996 – 1998, Mount Vernon Bar Association PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE North Castle Republican Committee, District Leader 2007 – Present Attorney at Law Martino & Weiss Mount Vernon, New York Board of Directors, Lion’s Club of Armonk Counsel to City of Mount Vernon Corporation Counsel, defending Mt. Vernon, its Mayor, employees and the Mount Vernon Police Department in civil rights and negligence actions in State and Federal District Court. PUBLICATIONS Defense of individuals charged with felonies and misdemeanors throughout Law Review: Globe Newspaper Co. v Superior Court: Fortifying the Right of Trial Westchester, Bronx and New York City counties and on appeal to the Appellate Access: University of Bridgeport, Vol. 4 Pg. 359. Division, Second Department. Representation of clients in Domestic Relations matters in Supreme and Family EDUCATION Court, including contested divorces, custody/visitation, domestic violence, and Quinnipiac University School of Law, JD, Graduated in top 3% support litigation. Law Review, 1982 – 1984; Notes and Comments Editor, 1983 – 1984 Assistant District Attorney, Westchester Country District Attorney’s Office American Jurisprudence Awards in Family Law, Remedies, and Real Estate Prosecuted defendants from arrest to sentencing, in County and Local Courts, including Grand Jury presentations, motions, appeal, and Jury and Non-Jurytrials. BAR ADMISSIONS New York, Connecticut, and United States District Court, Southern District
“Doug has an impressive legal mind and perspective we need on the County Court. I urge all of my Democrat friends to “cross over” and vote for Doug Martino for Westchester County Court Judge” Ernest D. Davis, Former Mayor of The City of Mount Vernon Page 6 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010
BOOKS HalloweenTech: A Fantasy Tale By Gail Farrelly It’s Halloween morning. do have a smart dishwasher, but it’s You’re curled up in bed not smart enough to do the entire reading your new Kindle. clean up on its own, and Martha It’s light as a feather and holds tons of won’t be stopping by to help. books. Ah, the new technology. Isn’t She’s done the before-the-meal it wonderful? work, but afterwards you’ll be You get up and head to on your own. Time for Plan B. the kitchen for a glass of You stick your head in the freezer orange juice. Eek! There and do a manual scan. You find a is none. Thank good- frozen pizza and put it in the ness you invested in a oven. Who needs the new “smart” refrigerator, technology? programmed to auto- You finish your pizza matically inventory and then pick up the mail. and re-order some Bad news. Your car rental basic items. You company, doing nationwide go to the refriger- monitoring from its office ated delivery box in Snoopville, has caught right outside your you going more than ten door and open the miles above the speed limit combination lock. on three separate occa- Eureka! As promised, sions. Uh oh. Big Brother is the refrigerator IS smart. watching. You didn’t know that A half-gallon of juice the company had the technology awaits you, having been delivered and the nerve to do that. A “fine” of $150 by the 24/7 gremlins who accept and obey has been charged to your credit card. Is the commands of your refrigerator. Three this legal? But talk about a dilemma. How cheers for the new technology! can you ask a law enforcement official Later in the day you’re out for a jog and whether it’s legal for someone to “catch” stop at a machine to buy a bottle of water. you speeding? Boy, you hate this new You deposit $1.50, but nothing happens. technology. You wipe the sweat off your sunglasses and Then the doorbell rings. You open the read the message flashing on the machine: door to a cast of usual suspects. A witch, “Warm weather surcharge in effect, since a ghost, a ballet dancer, a king, a pirate, a temperature is above 70 degrees. Please princess, a Miss Piggy, and a Kermit form deposit an additional 50 cents.” Yikes! a chorus: “Trick or Treat.” Their eyes light A smart refrigerator in your home is one up when you hand over candy corn and thing. But a smart drink machine in the dollar bills. You wish each other Happy park? A machine that takes advantage of Halloween. high temperatures and exhausted joggers? You close the door and smile. Hmm. Forget about it. You have no more change Maybe this brave new world isn’t so bad and return home thirsty. What has tech- after all. Or so new. nology wrought? Gail Farrelly (www.FarrellySistersOnline. At dinnertime, you push the “scan com) writes mystery novels and short stories and suggest” button on your refrigerator. as well as Op-Eds. She also publishes satire Within a minute you receive a printout pieces (Gail Farrelly’s satire and parody Samuel L. Rivers - President providing three Martha Stewart recipes stories) on TheSpoof.com, a British website. Licensed Real Estate Broker based on the inventory of the fresh food Her latest mystery novel is Creamed t. 914 760 8136 e. [email protected] contents of your refrigerator. Let’s see, at Commencement: A Graduation 30 Rockledge Avenue | Mount Vernon | New York | 10550 you could whip up chicken in wine sauce, Mystery. The first chapter is available on spinach lasagna, or a broccoli and cheese her website. Gail is working on a fourth Commercial | Investment | REO Properties | omelet. You consider each one in turn and mystery, The Virtual Heiress. Direct Hard Money Lender picture all the pots and pans involved. You give a thumbs down to all three. You The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010 Page 7
RE-ELECT SUPREME COURT JUSTICE J. Emmett Murph “The Judge whose � support crosses party lines”
Endorsed and Nominated by Democratic, Republican, Conservative, and Independence parties
Received the endorsement of several law enforcement organizations, and labor union organizations
Considered “well qualifi ed” by several county wide bar associations
Election Day Tuesday, November 2ND Rows A, B, C or D Page 8 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010
COMMUNITY Police Presence in Downtown New Rochelle is “Critical” By Peggy Godfrey Jim Killoran, Rochelle business group and has collected developments for this same downtown area. have continued to allow developers to Executive Director of over l,000 signatures on petitions requesting (Killoran’s petition drive was initiated as a propose more dense projects for downtown. Habitat for Humanity, a police station, and walking police in down- response to a recent murder in that area.) On October 12 according to the City’s has been meeting town. However, the New Rochelle City On October 12 Killoran had another Development Commissioner, Michael with the SoNo New Council continues to consider large scale meeting with the SoNo New Rochelle Freimuth, the Albanese Organization was group of businesses, He stated the “last selected from four applicants to present a THE SIXTH (NOT SO) ANNUAL thing he wants is for anyone to get hurt,” potential “Main Street Core” project with and said he wanted to work with the three commercial and a significant number of YYOONNKKEERRSS PPOOLLIICCEE colleges in the city. Lou Cohen, of I.B. housing units for the Church-Division VS. Cohen, poignantly added, “If it wasn’t for garage area, At the next Council meeting Jim, we would have had many more killed,” on October 19 another developer, 17 Locust YYOONNKKEERRSS FFIIRREEFFIIGGHHTTEERRSS referring to a group of 80 or 90 youth that Avenue LLC (for an apartment project), CHARITY TOUGHMAN COMPETITION came from New Rochelle High School proposed that their building would replace down Main Street, and “not one” police a parking lot on Locust Avenue pres- officer saw them. ently used by Monroe College. They are Forty years ago City Hall and the Police requesting a zoning change which would Station was in the downtown, but “how allow a far greater density than is pres- many times do you see them now? “Killoran ently allowed. Council members did raise continued. Mentioning two public housing objections. For example, Councilman Barry projects, he emphasized, “Some of the Fertel wanted an environmental impact greatest people in the future will come out statement prepared, but the developer said of Hartley and Bracey.” If there are a few it was “time consuming” and he did want to that need attention, then “watch them.” do it. Density, parking and the limited street People don’t come downtown because they access to this site were brought up as well as are fearful. He said he was going to address the IDA tax abatements sought. City Council that evening, then suggested Will City Council members explain that the Mayor and City Council should to the 1,000 or more residents of New donate their salaries to this cause. Rochelle that signed petitions, and many Among those attending the meeting others that did not have the opportunity was Ron Simoncimi, Executive Director to sign the petitions, how they will supply of Security for Monroe College, who felt adequate city services in the downtown in “policing is an urban problem all around the future should these developments be FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2010 @ 7:00PM the country.” The Rev. Ray Mott of Family approved? Shouldn’t a safe and vibrant YONKERS P.AL. Christian Center on Main Street stated downtown be a high priority? 127 NORTH BROADWAY, YONKERS NY police presence including a visible squad car Peggy Godfrey is a freelance writer, a commu- in downtown was “critical,” nity activist, and former educator. $20 PER TICKET Meanwhile the New Rochelle City TICKETS ON SALE Council at their two October meetings NOVEMBER 1 THRU NOVEMBER 4 AT THE YONKERS P.A.L. 9AM TO 6PM COUNTRY
A Tribute to Veterans ALL PROCEEDS TO GO TO THE FOLLOWING CHARITIES PATRICK JOYCE MEMORIAL FUND-RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE By Colonel Arthur DeRuve (Retired) USAR HOMES FOR HEROES It is appropriate that We so honor our veterans because in FOR FURTHER INFO AND DIRECTIONS GO TO WWW.YONKERSPBA.COM OR CALL in November (the month so doing we are honoring more than YONKERS PBA 377-7938* LOCAL 628 377-7527 *YONKERS CLSA 377-7370 which includes the legally just warriors or gladiators or war heroes designated Veterans Day although, certainly, some may be one or holiday) we pay special tribute to the all of these. Remember, every nation in the veterans of the United States of America. Continued on page 10 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010 Page 9 KEEP
LAWRENCEJUDGE
ECKERSTATE SUPREME COURT JUSTICE
“Highly Qualified” Unanimously Confirmed! NYS Governor’s Screening Committee NYS Senate • Proud to be endorsed and Supported by the Democratic, 22 YEARS AS JUDGE Independence, Conservative and Working Families Parties • NYS Supreme Court • Also endorsed and supported by: The Yonkers PBA, The Central • Judge, Irvington, NY, Labor Council, AFL-CIO of Westchester/Putnam and the Central • Judge, North Tarrytown Hudson, NYS Supreme Court Officers Association, Westchester LIFELONG COMMUNITY SERVICE Hispanic Law Enforcement Association, Westchester County • Westchester County Ethics Commission, Past Chair Affiliation of Police Assocations, Yonkers Federation of Teachers, • Westchester County Criminal Justice Advisory Council Black Democrats of Westchester County, and Hispanic Democrats of • Westchester County Magistrates Association, Past President Westchester County. • Yonkers Lawyers Association, Past President 38 YEARS AS TRIAL ATTORNEY • Columbian Lawyers Association of Westchester • Ecker and Ecker LLP, Yonkers, NY • Justice Brandeis Law Society, Founding Member and Vice President • NY Army National Guard Page 10 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010
COUNTRY A Tribute to Veterans the United States of America. There were announcing to the world that for the second no democracies. There were no republics. century the door was still open, the lamp Continued from page 8 are honoring much more than that. We are There were monarchies and dictatorships. of liberty was still lit and it was available to honoring those individuals who have main- RE-ELECT world has its warriors and its war heroes; There were emperors, czars and kings; and, all those who wanted to come and share in even those with totalitarian governments. tained, preserved and protected the greatest, freest nation in the world; the greatest freest when a king died, because presumably he that continuing experiment & dream, who In history, the worst dictators have hung ruled by divine right, his son became king. wanted to share in that hope in the future or medals on the chests of their war heroes. nation in the history of the world. We must recall that until some 240 years ago not only His son became king even if he was a lunatic for the future for themselves, their children However, here in the United States of son; and, in a number of cases that was the and their children’s children. America when we honor our veterans, we was there no United States of America, there was no country in the world like situation. In the second century they came no It was our very first veterans, the longer by the hundreds and the thousands veterans of the War of Independence, along as they did in the first century. They came DLJ@:8CÛJ8CLK<Û KFÛM Judge ANTHONY RE-ELECT SCARPINO WESTCHESTER COUNTY SURROGATE Westchester county surrogate UnmatchedUnmatched Experience. Experience “Well Qualified” “Outstanding” Westchester County Westchester Bar Association Woman’s Bar FPO Association Honest.Honest. Strong. Fair. Fair. JudgeJudge ScarpinoScarpino opened up attorney assignments, opened up attorney assignments taking politics out of the taking politics out of the Surrogate’sSurrogate’s Court.Court Page 12 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010 CUISINE Foodchester Orfino’s—Fine Gold Found in Briarcliff Manor By Hezi Aris The winds were blowing. The leaves My palate was dancing upon tasting maven.. The filling was light, fresh, and were rustling. The sun was fading. The the Veal Saltimbocca, which was thinly mouth watering. The cylindical crust last glint of gold was being reflected pounded with prosciutto and sauteed casing likewise fresh and complementary. off the rustic accouterments adorning with fresh sage, butter, and white wine. Bravo. Orfino’s facade. The ornate curtain that This dish was exemplary. Chef Michael For a look and description of many ran about the large glass windows uncan- Orfino knew how to coax every echelon other delicious offerings, check the nily focused attention onto the patrons of complexity out of this dish by being website at www.orfinosrestaurant.com. enjoying their repast. My guest and I easy on the salt content. “Prima!” The Chef Michael Orfino’s passion, is entered Orfino’s. We were both bedazzled Veal Saltimbocca passed Steve’s Italian replete with twenty-seven years of telling by the fine art picture ablaze with bright Heritage test with flying tricolors. Steve his family story with food. You can taste reds, yellows, and blues depicting a quaint ordered pasta served al dente laced with a the delight in his living life with your village scene immersed among a bevy of delicious tomato garlic sauce. palate. The oil paintings are an under- pumpkins and corn sitting upon a bed of I went the safe route, a Chicken and stated hint of his joie de vivre. straw. Balancing the color scheme were Apples dish consisting of chicken breast My driver summarized the experience the subdued orange and yellow flourishes sauteed with sliced Granny Smith apples, at Orfino’s with brevity albeit succinctly, that washed the walls, reverentially inter- shallots, and cider. An American tradition “The food, ambience and family-friendly spersed with more fine art oil paintings. ratcheted up a notch by Chef Michael dining was classic. A great spot in Linda Orfino welcomed us, asked if we Orfino. I ordered the sweet potato mash. Westchester to dine with ample parking had reservations, and accompanied us to Exquisite, subtle, and wow. and a nice setting.” out table. The mood was set. Chef and Each dish was more tantalizing than Wednesday night is now Family owner Michael Orfino stopped by to say, the next. The food became central to the Night as the Orfino’s serve Family Style “Hello.” conversation. who could imagine that the meals which feed 4 for only $22.00, translucent virgin olive oil. Sublime. Michael’s creative passions are recog- trials and tribulation of the daily grind, no including salad! With only one driver, a bottle of nized and inspired by many elements. matter how exciting and satisfying, could Orfino’s lunch menu includes Daily SanPellegrino® sparkling water held the The recipes of his grandmother and be consumed by Orfino’s varied repasts. specials starting at $8.95 all of their menu wine selection at bay mother harken to their days in Bari, Italy. I ordered a frothy Cappuccino and choices are available for take out at lunch A fresh green salad began the Today, Head Chef Douglas Tucci, along a slice of Italian cheesecake. It was the or dinner. Orfinos also specializes in off or evening’s delight. with Michael, Michael’s wife Linda, and best I have ever tasted.. I was in Venice, on premise catering! The first Primi was the Shrimp & adult daughter Lina, infuse an amalga- Milan, and Rome; but not to Taronto or All major Credit cards are now Roasted Corn appetizer of ocean fresh mation of various inspirational cues to Bari. Alitalia will have to wait. My “Italy” accepted and gift certificates are available. shrimp sauteed and served upon a bed of Orfino’s that combines Italian tastes with is found in Briarcliff Manor, New York. Mon - Tues 11AM - 3PM roasted corn bruschetta. OK. I was smitten. American inspiration. Orfino’s kitchen is Little Italy, in downtown New York, and Wed - Fri 11AM - 10PM The second Primi conjured the like a dictionary of tastes and traditions Little Italy, in The Bronx must be jealous Sat 8:30AM - 10PM approach of Halloween and Thanksgiving. that delight the palate and comfort the of Chef Michael Orfino. Make your Orfino’s—1201 Pleasantville Road, Allowing the Fried Pumpkin Ravioli to soul. This is home. reservations and find out why. Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510 (914) cool slightly on my plate brought out its The white linen table setting held My companion ordered a Cannolo 941-7353 light, nuanced flavor which was so well an inviting plate of rustic bread, sliced (Cannoli is the plural of Cannolo). I never complemented with an apple butter dip. perfectly for dipping into a plate of a cared for this Italian dessert before, but at I was in “foodie” heaven. variety of olives that were set in a pool of first bite at Orfino’s, I bacame a Cannolo EDUCATION Monroe College Panel Explores How Hispanics Embrace Social Media Tools By Rob Seitz The Hispanic any other population group. tech-savvy. workers to keep in touch back home community is as The Hispanic community is a victim The Hispanic community is smart in through texting, Facebook, the Internet, plugged-in to using of the digital divide and often lacks how it spends its mobile communications SKYPE and other social media. social media tools as access to the tools necessary to become dollars. A $50 phone card allows migrant The older Hispanic community has The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010 Page 13 RE-ELECT JUDGE ROBERT CERRATO RE-ELECT YONKERS CITY COURT Judge Thomas R. Daly Yonkers City Court Judge 10 years experience on the Yonkers City Court Experience Counts REPUBLICAN, INDEPENDENCE & Judge Daly is endorsed by: AFL-CIO Central Labor Body, The CONSERVATIVE PARTY CANDIDATE Building & Construction Trades Council, Yonkers PBA, Yonkers CLSA, Yonkers Fire Officers and the Yonkers Firefighters Association. Judge Cerrato is Endorsed by the Yonkers Firefighters - Local 628, Yonkers Uniformed Fire Officers, Yonkers On Election Day, PBA, Yonkers Captains, Lieutenants & Sergeants, Vote Row: “A” “C” “D” OR “E” To Keep Judge Daly on the Teamsters -Local 456 and the Yonkers Teachers Yonkers City Court Bench Judge Cerrato has been rated “Qualified” by the Independent Judicial Screening Committee of the Judge Daly had been rated qualified by the Independent Judicial Screening Committee of the Ninth Judicial District, and “Well Qualified” by the Ninth Judicial District. Westchester County Bar Association Paid for by the committee to Re-Elect Judge Daly Paid for by the Committee to Re-Elect Judge Cerrato VOTE “CERRATO” ON NOV 2nd Vote: Tuesday, November 2 Page 14 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010 EDUCATION Monroe College Panel Explores How Hispanics Embrace Social Media Tools not embraced social media skills. It’s like defined by limited access to technology, no longer something for the ‘geeky’; it’s Yorker. Because he is not entirely fluent in learning a foreign language to them. but also a lack of computer training and something for everyone. And the more Spanish, he Tweets and blogs in English. What do you get when you put limited English language skills. Learning you use it, the more you increase your This has not been a barrier for him within together an El Salvadorean, Peruvian, computer literacy is like learning a foreign image as a trustworthy source of informa- the Latino community, his observation Puerto Rican, Nicaraguan, and “Yorician” language. That’s why I blog in Spanish I tion in a timeliness that was previously being that in both their day-to-day lives on the same panel to discuss trends in want all Latinos to know that social media unavailable.” and in the social media arena. social media amongst white collar profes- resources are available to them.” According to Manny Velásquez- For several years Pagan wrote sionals in the Hispanic community? There is also a generational divide Paredes, a New York-based marketing LatinoPundit.com, a blog that addressed No, this is not the start of a politically that Valenzuela has experienced on a and social media consultant, “Most of issues unique to the Latino community as incorrect ethnic joke. On the contrary. personal level. She recently helped orga- the Hispanics who I have encountered well as topics not defined by ethnicity and The discussion was quite serious when nize a reunion with family members may not really understand the concept of which gained him a national following. the King Graduate School at Monroe scattered across the United States, in her social media and yet, they use it on a daily He has since-suspended the blog because College (www.MonroeCollege.edu) in native El Salvador, and in other coun- basis. They are far from home and so the “the niche got filled” by other Latinos. New Rochelle invited members of the tries. “The teen and young adult family Internet is the cheapest way for them to He’s now focusing on multiple social National Society of Hispanic MBAS members responded to the reunion plans communicate with family members back media tools, including Twitter, where he (NSHMBA) to present to graduate and through Facebook. My siblings and home. They are the largest community of has over 7,300 followers. He’s aggressively undergraduate students on trends in social cousins relied on e-mails and cell phone early adapters.” pursuing social media with many projects media within the Hispanic community. calls. But to keep my 79-year-old mom Velásquez-Paredes, executive vice on his plate. “Monroe College has always been an in the loop, I still had to rely on landline president of the New York City chapter of “What these social media pioneers early adapter of technology. Because of communications!” NSHMBA, was an early adapter, begin- have accomplished is important to our the entrepreneurial, real-business-world For Mauricio Godoy, the evolution ning with various “messenger” services students. Monroe’s MBA students are orientation of our King Graduate School of social media resulted in a new career and chat rooms developed by AOL in required to develop a business plan as part we regularly invite to our campuses in opportunity with his employer, IBM. the 1980s. Fast-forward a generation of their graduation requirement. This is a New Rochelle and The Bronx in-the- “About two years ago I assumed the and he is now introducing clients to the significant undertaking that is tracked by know business professionals with position as a social media expert within a marketing potential of Foursquare, a their professors throughout their MBA different marketplace perspectives software technology application that allows users studies. As a result, many of our gradu- and experiences,” explained Marina group analyst relations team,” to “plot” the whereabouts of people ates go on to start their own businesses,” Dadashev, dean of Monroe’s graduate explained Godoy, whose Latino roots on their contact list in real-time. “One explained Dadashev of Monroe College. programs in Business Administration and are in both Nicaragua and El Salvador. “I client, a ‘youngish’ doctor totally gets it “The trailblazing activity of these and Criminal Justice. “We also have a very wanted to explore how we could use social and its marketing potential. The other, a other guest speakers is often just the ‘global’ enrollment at Monroe and so we media to connect with my colleagues market researcher who is older, feels he motivation that one of our students needs want to expose our students to as many all over the world. At IBM, we believe doesn’t have the dedicated time needed to create the next Facebook, Twitter, or international and culturally different ways that social media is key in relationship to make social media tools work,” said iPhone!” of conducting business, as possible. This building, as well as a tool for receiving and Velásquez-Paredes. For more information about Monroe panel underscored the diversity found in a providing information content.” Louis Pagan, owns his own busi- College’s King Graduate School contact single demographic group which can have Godoy’s Facebook.com/ ness, LAT3G Meda (Lat3gmedia.com) 1-800-55-MONROE. as much in common as it has its differ- LatinosatIBM group started with four and is a social media consultant based ences,” Dadashev noted. people out of his Westchester County in Yonkers. He says he has used social Rob Seitz (www.robseitz.com) is a senior- Reina Valenzuela is the CEO and headquarters. Within two years it has media “to leverage the Hispanic voice level communications consultant based in founder of Starfish Global (www. grown to approximately 500 active techies, in executive-level jobs, multi-media Mamaroneck. He is Vice President of the StarfishGlobal.com), a business advi- including IBMers, non-IBMers, Latinos and entertainment, and to level the Fairfield County PR Assn. and an adjunct sory and management consulting firm and non-Latinos around the world. It competition. professor at various colleges. He specializes in for entrepreneurs based in New Jersey. shares information about new social “I use social media to bring down the Social Media, higher education, special events, “I immersed myself in social media media trends. “However,” said Godoy, walls and launch Latinos upward though real estate and economic development. He because I especially saw opportunities “the challenge is not just in knowing those hard-to-reach places – the glass is also a NYS licensed real estate agent with within the older, Latino community. that these technologies exist, but getting ceiling – to get their voices heard,” said Goldschmidt & Associates. He can be reached There is a digital divide that’s not only people to embrace them. Social media is Pagan, an American-born native New at 914-393-6144 or [email protected] Taking on Student Stress, the Education System, and “Teaching to the Test” Innovative Nursery-to-Grade-12 School Opens up Discussion with the Screening of “Race to Nowhere” Chestnut Ridge, NY -- Green Waldorf School, 307 Hungry Hollow spotlights the pressures faced by U.S. depression to chronic cheating and Meadow Waldorf School is opening up Rd., Chestnut Ridge, NY, at 7:00 p.m. schoolchildren and their teachers in a burnout, the documentary chronicles the dialogue about a nation of overstressed The cost is $10 in advance / $15 at the system and culture obsessed with the illu- heartbreaking tales of young people across teens on Tuesday, October 26, with a door. sion of achievement, competition and the the country who have been pushed to the screening of “Race to Nowhere.” The The 85-minute documentary, which pressure to perform. brink, educators who are exhausted and screening will be held at Green Meadow shows across the country on Tuesday, From stress-related illnesses and Continued on page 16 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010 Page 15 Jeff Klein: Fighting for Westchester Families tate Senator Jeff Klein knows that in these tough times, every dollar counts. That’s why he has been an independent leader, working across party lines to make Sour community the priority in Albany. Senator Klein has: UÊ Ê i`ÊÌ iÊw} ÌÊvÀÊ>Ê«À«iÀÌÞÊÌ>ÝÊV>« UÊ Ê*>ÃÃi`Êi}Ã>ÌÊÌÊ«ÀÌiVÌÊ iÜiÀÃÊ from foreclosure UÊ Ê Ý«Ãi`ÊÜ>ÃÌivÕÊ}ÛiÀiÌÊëi`}Ê ÌÊiÃÕÀiÊÞÕÀÊÌ>ÝÊ`>ÀÃÊ>ÀiÊëiÌÊÜÃiÞ VOTE NOVEMBER 2 U www.JeffKleinNY.com Paid for by New Yorkers for Klein Page 16 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010 EDUCATION Taking on Student Stress, the Education System, and “Teaching to the Test” Continued from page 14 Meadow serves students from nursery the developing brain. worried that students aren’t developing school through grade 12. Green Meadow graduates go on to skills they need, and parents who are Waldorf education is the fastest- top colleges, and the school prides itself trying to do what’s best for their kids. growing independent school movement on its multicultural community; students “This is a silent epidemic in our worldwide, with 300 schools in the U.S. come from a wide range of socio- nation’s schools. Overstressed kids are and nearly 1,000 around the world. The economic, ethnic, religious, and cultural heading off to college or the work- curriculum is based on the philosophy backgrounds. place unprepared and uninspired,” said of Rudolf Steiner, who founded the first For more information contact Ivy Greenstein, Ivy Greenstein, the school’s Director Waldorf School in Germany in 1919. Director of Outreach, by directing email of Outreach. “We all want our children Green Meadow offers developmentally correspondence to [email protected], or to grow up happy, healthy and well- based, challenging academic course- telephone 845-356-2514, extension 330. educated. As a nation, we’re failing to do work infused with the arts. Students are just that.” exposed to diverse disciplines and can Green Meadow School and Waldorf “We decided to host this screening at choose traditional classes such as modern Education was founded in Germany in Green Meadow because it is important languages and sciences while also learning 1919 by Dr. Rudolf Steiner. Green Meadow to our school community and sheds light practical arts, such as knitting, black- is an accredited member of the New York on educational and societal issues we all smithing, and woodworking. The school State Association of Independent Schools face,” Greenstein noted. also limits the use of technology and (NYSAIS), a voluntary association of more Nearly 350 students from 13 coun- independent school. Located about 20 media for younger students, which is now than 140 independent schools in the state of ties and almost 90 towns attend the miles north of New York City, Green understood by researchers as essential to New York. MAYOR Marvin COLUMN GOVERNMENT The Public Service Commission, United Water of New Rochelle, and the Village of Bronxville By Mary C. Marvin monopoly above the interest of the citizens The experiences in Connecticut they are charged to protect with complete present another example of promises made It is with great fought this rate hike aggressively, with disregard for the current economic climate. to state employees and teachers that are disappointment every elected official in the consortium I continue to research the entire pension unsustainable. As of 2010, Connecticut’s and frustration that personally testifying before the Public issue in light of the escalating payments pension debt equates to almost $18,000 for I announce that Service Commission. Sadly, I think the our Village is required to contribute. This every man, woman and child living in the the Public Service Public Service Commission is another problem is not unique to New York, rather state, translating into one of the highest Commission saw Albany institution badly in need of reform. it is a nationwide phenomenon that is debt ratios in the country. Connecticut’s fit to give our water The PSC also refused to consider the affecting every taxpayer. For example, in current post-employment benefits obli- company, United consortium’s request to allot whatever rate California, the state’s public employee gation now exceeds the state’s annual Water of New Rochelle, a 34% increase increases they ratified on the usage bill and pension obligations have increased by operating budget. In an effort to stem the in water rates over the next four years. To not on the hydrant maintenance charge. 2000% while state revenues have increased costs, the City of West Hartford is currently put in context, the average yearly water bill Instead, the Public Service Commission by 24%. As a result, California has negotiating with its teachers’ union to offer today is $756. In 2014, the same bill will top also raised the cost of our hydrant main- siphoned off $3 billion from other state 401(k) type contribution retirement plans $1,017. The Public Service Commission, tenance fees currently one of the most programs to meet pension obligations. As mimicking the private sector. whose members are appointed by the expensive fee structures in the nation, by a result, the credit spreads on California The solution is not in sight. Even if Governor, is charged with the duty of 70% costing the Village and the tax payer bonds are higher than those of Mexico, pension benefit reductions are put in place protecting the interests of citizens when an additional $62,826, in future budgets. Indonesia and the Philippines. Thankfully, today, it is almost impossible to have the going up against monopolistic utilities. In Hydrant maintenance fees are charged New York State does not allow this “rob savings apply to current employees because my view, they have utterly failed us as rate- directly to municipalities and thus only Peter to pay Paul” scenario. Nationwide in New York, as is the case in most states, payers and demonstrated no sensitivity to paid by property taxpayers. As a result, all it is estimated that pension systems are pensions are constitutionally protected current economic conditions. non-profits including schools, hospitals underfunded by an amount topping $2 obligations. However, given the gigantic The Public Service Commission and churches who receive fire protection trillion and this does not even include underfunding of these obligations, it is disregarded the joint concerns of nine benefits from these hydrants share nothing retired healthcare benefits estimated to be now not unthinkable that a municipality municipalities and over 30,000 resi- toward the costs of providing such service. underfunded by at least $530 billion. As an could go bankrupt, possibly putting every dents. Incredibly, in the Public Service The one bright spot in the Public example from neighboring New Jersey, a obligation, including pensions, in jeopardy. Commission’s approved settlement is a Service Commission’s ruling was the 49 year old retiree paid a total of $124,000 NOTE: Much of the statistical informa- provision allowing for a stunning 10% rate requirement that United Water prepare a toward his pension and benefits over the tion was culled from “ ” by of return for investors in the Paris based status report on hydrant maintenance by Collision Course course of his career. The state now owes Paul Ingrassia. Suez Corporation, the parent company of March 31, 2011. Presently, we are not at him $3.3 million in pension payments and United Water of New Rochelle. all confident that our Village hydrants are an additional $500,000 in health benefits. Mary C. Marvin is the Mayor of the Village I will be meeting with my fellow maintained properly. We have asked for This one example starkly illustrates why of Bronxville. elected officials in the nine community many years for maintenance records to no we are talking about trillions in national consortium as well as our counsel to see avail. In sum, this ruling put the needs of a retirement obligations. what options are left. I can tell you we The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010 Page 17 GOVERNMENT The Revitalization of Larchmont By Bary Alyssa Johnson Larchmont, a who have died at the unmerciful hands of part of uber-wealthy a troubled national economy. Westchester County, However, the Village has finally NY has been hit hard begun its ascent back to the top, to its by recent economic former hay day, according to Larchmont woes, but is fighting Mayor Joshua Mandell. its way back to the idyllic village it once “I think that Larchmont, like many was. small economies, has gone through Larchmont hit the proverbial rock a significantly rough patch with this bottom last year, with several landmark economy,” Mayor Mandell told the stores closing up shop due to high rent Westchester Guardian in an interview. and a financial deficiency. Growing up “I’m comfortable saying now that the in Larchmont, I’ve watched its collapse store closures are last year’s story. What every step of the way. Cornerstone shops we’re finding now is that we’re opening like the Larchmont Store and Active more stores than we’re closing.” Sports, both of which were in business Among the most recently opened for decades, were among the first to close businesses, Larchmont residents have their doors forever. a variety of options. Burn Fitness, a We’ve also lost high-end boutique personal training studio has opened up Plaza Too, a small but personal forma- on the Boston Post Road. Red Mango, ggio, Baskin Robbins ice cream shop, and an exclusive franchise of high end yogurt Sweet & Nutty, a legendary candy store opened on Palmer Avenue and right with unbelievable customer service. The beside that, Recologie has re-opened its owner of the shop memorized the name doors at a new location in order to offer and favorite candy of every child who goods and apparel manufactured by recy- walked in her door and watched them cled products. grow from children to young adults, still “Lastly, we opened East Coast addressing them by first name decades Surf, Skate and Snow, which is one after their first visit to her candy shop. of the few areas in this place where She lamented that Sweet & Nutty was you can find high quality gear for her joy in life but she was forced to shut those activities,” Mayor Mandell said. down when rent prices went up. These are only a few of Larchmont’s proprietors Continued on page 18 Page 18 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010 GOVERNMENT The Revitalization of Larchmont Continued from page 17 has been put into the works. The Project is particularly with the smaller entrepre- “I think that at the trough we were an effort on the part of the Village to re-do neurial ventures, however the process of in a difficult spot, but our turnaround has Looking toward the future, plans are in the the Palmer Avenue business district so that opening these smaller stores is that it’s been remarkable over the last six months,” works to open up a high-end wine lounge it’s more friendly for pedestrian access. hard for the owners to come up with the Mayor Mandell said. “Larchmont is like on Boston Post Road, which will be named Such efforts will include new sidewalks funding. It’s also a lengthy process to get many municipalities; competing for a finite 1891 Wine Lounge. The name 1891 was and pedestrian lighting. all of the details in place in order to open set of individuals prepared to take entre- decided upon because that was the year “We’re hoping to do [that project] in its doors. preneurial risk and we have to do our best in which Larchmont was founded. Many the Spring of next year,” Mayor Mandell According to the Mayor, there was a to make this Village an attractive place for additional openings are anticipated. said. “We have a grant from New York loading of the Spring in Larchmont and these people to open their businesses.” The mayor says that the Village of State for $680,000.00 and we’ll use Village a certain number of people had plans to Local resident Bary Alyssa Johnson covers Larchmont is working hard to become an funds to supplement that. Target comple- open businesses. They had to go through attractive destination for people looking the Larchmont and Mamaroneck beat, as tion is for the end of next year.” months of process, but now it’s all coming well as the evolving world of electronics and to open new stores. To achieve this, a plan Larchmont is making big strides, to fruition. called Palmer Avenue Streetscape Project technology. HISTORY Nuremberg Indictment Day (October 18, 1945) By Prof. John Q. Barrett Sixty-five years statement, which then was translated IMT adjourned. The judges left immedi- very nice party—the table in [Jackson’s] ago the International orally into the other languages, and ately for Nuremberg. The US, French and dining room was a work of art—both Military Tribunal each presented a copy of the indictment Soviet judges, flying together in a plane with floral decoration and with canapés (IMT) held its first printed in his own language to the IMT. that General Dwight D. Eisenhower had etc. It was all done by enlisted men—but public session. It met General Nikitchenko then announced made available to Judge Biddle, arrived I discovered that the man in charge was in Berlin, its official that an Indictment had been lodged in time for dinner. The British judges, formerly with the Stork Club in New seat, in the Grand with the Tribunal setting out charges flying in their own plane, encountered York.” Conference Room of against twenty-four persons: Hermann bad weather and had to divert to London. Jackson planned, following that cock- the Allied Control Authority Building. Wilhelm Göring, Rudolf Hess, Joachim Justice Robert H. Jackson, the United tail party, to host a dinner and dancing at The session lasted about one hour. von Ribbentrop, Robert Ley, Wilhelm States Chief of Counsel, was not present his home that evening for all of his staff. The IMT was comprised, on that day Keitel, et al. Nikitchenko announced that in Berlin for the filing of the Indictment. At the last minute, however, the Theater and throughout its work over the next German language copies of the IMT He had spent much of the previous week Commanding General said no—he ten-plus months, of eight judges. Major Charter, the Indictment and accompa- there, meeting, working and waiting objected to the idea of enlisted men and General I.T. Nikitchenko of the Soviet nying documents would be served upon for judges, generals and other prosecu- officers being together at such an event. Union served that day as IMT President. these defendants immediately, that they tors to arrive. On Wednesday, October A young American secretary wrote home His colleagues were Lord Justice Geoffrey would be informed of their rights to 10th, Jackson, fed up with the confusion to her mother and sister that Jackson Lawrence of the United Kingdom, Mr. defend themselves or to select defense and delays in Berlin, had flown back to “argued his head off but it didn’t work and Francis Biddle of the United States, and counsel, that they would receive rules of Nuremberg to resume trial preparation, so the whole thing was cancelled.” Monsieur Professor Donnedieu de Vabres procedure for production of witnesses leaving his close friends and senior assis- John Q. Barrett is a Professor of Law at St. of the French Republic. Also present were and documents for “a fair trial with a full tants Gordon E. Dean and Francis Shea John’s University in New York City, where the alternate members of the Tribunal: opportunity to present their defense,” that in charge in Berlin. (On Jackson’s flight he teaches constitutional law, criminal Lieutenant Colonel A.F. Volchkov of the trial would commence in Nuremberg no back to Nuremberg, he and colleagues procedure and legal history, and he is the USSR, Mr. Justice Norman Birkett of the sooner than thirty days after service of listened to an Armed Forces Network Elizabeth S. Lenna Fellow and a board UK, Judge John J. Parker of the US, and the Indictment, and that Lord Justice radio broadcast of the Detroit Tigers member at the Robert H. Jackson Center in M. Le Conseiller Robert Falco of France. Lawrence would preside at the trial. beating the Chicago Cubs, 9-3, in the Jamestown, New York. This summer, he is After General Nikitchenko declared Nikitchenko also gave notice that the 7th and final game of that year’s World teaching in St. John’s program at ISDE in the session open, the British chief pros- prosecutors intended to ask the IMT to Series.) Barcelona. Professor Barrett has in the past ecutor, His Majesty’s Attorney-General declare six specified organizations—the Eight days later, as Francis Shea and been named a “Professor of the Year” by St. Sir Hartley Shawcross, announced that Reich Cabinet, the Leadership Corps of the others arrived in Nuremberg from John’s law students and in 2009 received a the chief prosecutors had agreed on an the Nazi Party, the SS, etc.—to be crim- filing the Indictment before the IMT in Faculty Outstanding Achievement Medal indictment. He then called on each of his inal, and that any member thereof could Berlin, Justice Jackson was a hosting a from the University. He is a graduate counterparts, the Soviet Chief Prosecutor apply for leave to be heard on the question cocktail party at his requisitioned German of Georgetown University (1983) and General R.A. Rudenko, the French Chief of that organization’s criminality. home. He had invited about forty officers Harvard Law School(1986). Prosecutor M. François de Menthon, After these announcements had been to celebrate the awarding of the Legion of and United States representative Francis translated orally, and somewhat slowly, Merit to his executive officer,C ol. Robert If you wish to join the Jackson List, send a M. Shea, to speak. Each made a brief into French, English and German, the J. Gill. One diarist noted that “[i]t was a “subscribe” note to [email protected]. The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010 Page 19 INVESTIGATIONS 20 Seconds By Nancy King A period of 20 seconds in the early State, and having off duty law enforce- morning hours of Sunday, October 17th ment personnel frequenting Finnegan’s, 2010, ended the life of Pace University there was still alleged underage drinking junior Danroy DJ Henry and forever going on in there. changed the lives of three police offi- On the night in question, the bar was cers, Henry’s family, about one hundred crowded; there were a few fights. Again fifty bar patrons, the entire campus of this was not unusual. But whether it Pace University at Pleasantville, and the was the result of a long day’s drinking or residents of the Town of Mt. Pleasant. something else, Finnegan’s management Twenty seconds is all that was needed for was allegedly unable to get those kids a failure of both sides to communicate; under control. According to eyewitnesses, leading to two decisions that regrettably after management’s alleged inability to can never be reversed. quell the disputes that kept cropping up, On Saturday, October 16th, Pace a decision was made to close the bar for University at Pleasantville was hosting the night. What resulted was a crowd of their annual homecoming football game. perhaps 150 young people, some of whom College homecoming celebrations are were still experiencing alcohol induced notorious party weekends, and by all squabbles began piling out onto the side- accounts,this was no different. Drinking walk and into the parking lot. Whether or had commenced early in the day according not any bouncers made it outside to move some who attended the football game the crowd along has not been yet been against Stonehill College. Making the determined or corroborated. event all the more special for Henry was It was at this time that DJ Henry was that his childhood friend Desmond Cox sitting in his Nissan Altima chatting it up was playing on the opposing team. After with two friends while waiting for a third attending two more celebratory gather- to make his way to the car. Mr. Henry ings at Pace’s townhouse dorms, the party had his car parked in a fire lane, which moved two mile south to Finnegan’s is a pretty common sight in that shop- Grill in the Thornwood Town Center ping center. His passengers stated that Shopping Plaza in Thornwood. they were talking about their future career Finnegan’s Grill is one of those sports plans. Many commentators conjecture bars that also calls itself an Irish Pub. it strange that such a conversation took Tucked away in the corner of the shop- place, however those who have spent time ping mall, Finnegan’s touts itself as a among college age students recognize gathering place that encourages family how captivating this subject is to many dining during the day and evening dinner young adults. At 20 years of age, most of hours. After 9PM on any given weekend, them still have that sort of romanticized Finnegan’s is known as an establishment view of what life will be like when they that has its fair share of alleged underage leave college. And they like to talk about patrons. Its common knowledge in some of it…. a lot. So after a particularly joyous the hamlets in Mt. Pleasant, that you can day, there is nothing odd about two child- go there, under the age of 21 and allegedly hood friends reminiscing about their past be served a drink. That’s not surprising, and planning for their future. that allegedly happens everywhere. What A lot can be said about 20 year olds. is surprising is that Finnegan’s also has They are old enough to vote, marry, and a reputation of allegedly being pretty go to war. But 20 year olds don’t possess rowdy on those late weekend nights. It a whole lot of life experience. They can gets crowded there largely in part because oftentimes find themselves often victims parking is free and accessible in the shop- of their own inexperience which also leads ping center. It’s a place where uniform them to sometimes making rash decisions. service members are known to hang out DJ Henry may have made a poor decision and watch sports as well. Despite the in not rolling down his window when drinking age being 21 here in New York Continued on page 20 Page 20 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010 INVESTIGATIONS HAL GREENWALD 20 Seconds A Family Court Attorney For Continued from page 19 had also held a press conference stating Police Officer Ron Gagnon knocked on that he is unable to make a statement Family Court Judge this car’s window. It’s early in the investi- on the specifics of the incident while the gation so it’s not known whether Officer investigation, which is being handled Gagnon told him to step out of the car by the New York State Police and the or to move it out of the fire lane. After Westchester County District Attorney’s years of watching Police Officers move Office is under way. In addition, some cars from a fire line, one would be inclined of the students and the Henry family to deduce that Gagnon asked Henry to have retained attorneys. Students have move. At the same time, Pleasantville hired Bonita Zelman and are charging Police Officer Aaron Hess had moved the Mount Pleasant Police Department to the front of the car. Questions abound showed excessive force and brutality in as to whether Officer Hess ordered the not allowing them to perform first aid VOTE car to stop, to go, or if he had even seen on Henryy. The Henry family has hired Officer Gagnon interact with Mr. Henry. noted Civil Rights Attorney Michael It is at the confluence of these moments Sussman to investigate whether the men everything seems to go awry. DJ Henry were targeted unfairly because they were GREENWALD puts his foot on the gas and Police Officer of African-American descent. And on Hess ends up on the hood of DJ Henry’s Thursday, The National Association WEsTChEsTEr COunTy car while the car continues to move of Black Police Officers issued a state- forward, grazing a Mt. Pleasant Police ment also calling for a full investigation. FAmily COurT JudgE Officer with a side mirror. By now it has One hopes that this investigation does become evident all the protagonists are in not become an issue of race. Any inves- democratic Conservative Working Families tigator who uses race as a basis of their Tuesday, november 2, 2010 a heightened state of alleged agitation and panic; and Police Officer Hess and Police investigation is doing nothing more than Officer Beckley fire their weapons with pandering and posturing for money later. P.O. Hess firing through the windshield This investigation begs for the whole and P.O. Beckley firing at one of the tires. truth to be told, no matter how painful. By the time the car had come to a stop, It also must remind us that oftentimes, it had travelled about 60 feet; not a long a split second decision may not have the George is always there distance for 15 seconds of time. When outcome that it was intended to have. you sit down and do the math, 60 feet, Bar owners who allow underage patrons traveled within 15 seconds would calcu- must enforce the age limit to those who when we need him. late to approximately 4 feet per second, may gain entry to their establishments. equivalent to a speed of 2.72 mph. Not Rather to lose a few bucks than a patron lose their life. As for the actions of the • Fighting high taxes fast, but fast enough to know that when you have a police officer hanging onto various police departments, we have all • Cutting spending your windshield, things are about to get watched reality TV where a routine traffic • Ethics Reform real bad, super fast. Looking at eyewitness stop ends tragically for an officer. We have • Supporting our community video taken with a cell phone shows a all watched enough TV shows that depict chaotic aftermath of panicked police offi- a young man trying to out run the cops. institutions This is real life. You just don’t do that even • Tough anti-crime laws cers waving their guns to hold the crowd back from a fatally injured DJ Henry. By if you are afraid of the ramifications of • Flood control funding the time this melee was over there had being underage and in a bar. DJ Henry’s • Strong environmental protection been four arrests, five shots fired and a death must teach us that if a police officer twenty year old man killed; and enough tells you to do something… just do it. If Always available questions to keep the state police and the you feel you have been wronged, you can argue it in court later; that is the basis and to hear our point of view Westchester District Attorney’s office busy for months. purpose of the courts. In the days immediately following There may well be no clear “rights” or this tragedy, Pace University has held no clear”wrongs” in this case. It may well George Latimer is two press conferences and a candlelight take 20 weeks to complete the investiga- vigil. The week’s football game had been tion. More than 20 individuals had their canceled. Counseling has been offered to lives forever changed in just 20 seconds. on our side. Every day. the students. Over the same time period, Paid for by Latimer for Assembly. Fred Baron, Treasurer Mt. Pleasant Police Chief Louis Alagno The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010 Page 21 JUDGES Judge Matthew J. Byrne Infusing the Court with Legal and Judicial Balance Judge simultaneously. suddenly passed away during his re-elec- has handled thousands of civil and crim- Matthew J. Having a father with a distinguished tion campaign for Justice of Suffern, inal matters in one of the busiest Justice Byrne was born legal and judicial career, he then attended New York. Matthew was approached by Courts in Rockland County and has in Rockland Pace with the desire of eventually joining party leaders and asked to be a candidate earned a reputation as a fair and impartial County, New the ‘family business’; his father’s long for his position at that time. Reluctantly, jurist, giving all litigants their fair day in York, the son of established law firm in Suffern, New given the rather emotional time for his court, their opportunity to be heard, and the late Judge John J. Byrne and the late York. Judge Byrne graduated from Pace family, but at the urging of his Mother, rendering decisions based upon the sound Kathleen Sweeney. After attending Don Law School in 1992, continued in the he accepted the nomination to run, and application of the law. Bosco Preparatory School in Ramsey, corporate world for two more years, then was elected (after being appointed by In sixteen years of private law prac- New Jersey, Judge Byrne then attended employed by The General Reinsurance the Democratic Mayor to fill the tempo- tice, Matthew Byrne has represented Manhattan College in The Bronx. At Group in Stamford, Connecticut. rary vacancy) to a full four year term in hundreds of clients and their families in Manhattan, he studied Government and In 1994, Matthew joined his father’s November 1994. a wide array of legal matters, sometimes Politics and graduated with a Bachelor of firm as an associate. At the same time, Since 1994, Judge Byrne has been representing several generations in one Arts in 1988. he was appointed by Rockland County’s elected and re-elected four times, currently family over his many years of practice. His AfterAfter graduation her frombreast Manhattan, cancer Executive diagnosis, as an Assistant C ountydoctors serving inadvised his fourth-four year term, private law practice consists of handling Matthew began his professional career, Attorney, advising several county depart- completing sixteen years of service this civil matters on behalf of his clients, takingAnn a position Toglia with Liberty that Mutual if shements on did their legalnot matters, receive including ayear stem in an overwhelmingly cell Democratic including estate planning, administration Insurance in Scarsdale, New York where various boards and commissions, and Village, despite being a Republican. His and probate, real estate transactions for hetransplant, worked for the next three years.she At thewould including die defending within litigation brought a year. political independence has earned him personal clients and lending institutions, same time, he applied, and was accepted against the County. the respect of many from across party guardianships, corporate formation, and to Pace Law School. Like so many, he Later that same year, in a sad twist of lines in his community. matters involving New York State Mental worked full time while studying law fate, Matthew’s father, JudgeWhen John BlueJ. Byrne Cross/Blue As the Shield Judge of Suffern, Judge Byrne Hygiene Law, among other areas. denied the treatment, Ann contacted Mike Spano. Mike went AAfterfter her her breast breast cancer cancer diagnosis, diagnosis,right doctors to work, doctors fighting advised toadvised reverse Ann Toglia that if she did not their decision. receiveAnn Toglia a stem cellthat transplant, if she did she not would receive die withina stem a cell year. As a result, Ann got the stem transplant, she wouldWhen die Blue within Ccellross/ transplantBlue aShield year. and denied lived the 8 treatment, more Ann contacted Mikeprecious Spano. Mikeyears. went She becameright to work, fighting to reverse theira Whendecision.Medical Blue Exercise Cross/Blue Specialist Shield –denied sharing the her treatment, experience Ann and As a result, Ann got the stem cell transplant and lived knowledgecontacted Mikewith patientsSpano. Mike and thewent 8 more preciousmedicalright years. to community.work,She became fighting Anna Medicalto evenreverse E xercise Specialist – sharingwrotetheir andherdecision. experiencepublished anda book knowledge with patients and thedetailing medical exercises community. to counteract Ann even wrote and publishedthe aAs book negativea result, detailing Anneffects exercises got of the cancer tostem counteract the treatments and surgery. negative effectscell of cancer transplant treatments and lived and surgery.8 more precious years. She became a Medical Exercise Specialist – sharing her experience and knowledge with patients and the Looking out for our families. medical community. Ann even Looking out for our communities. wrote and published a book FOR STATE Election Day is November 2detailing exercises to counteract the negative effects of cancer ASSEMBLY ® ® ikE 751-8811 • www.mikespano.com treatmentsM and surgery. S p a n o Looking out for our families. Looking out for our communities. FOR STATE Election Day is November 2 ASSEMBLY ® ® ikE 751-8811 • www.mikespano.com M S p a n o Page 22 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010 JUDGES Judge Lawrence H. Ecker Fitting into the Robes of Justice Judge every accomplishment he needed to wear Judge Ecker, upon completion of his Lawyers Association, the Westchester Lawrence H. the black robes of justice. active military duty, enrolled at Brooklyn County Magistrates Association and the Eckerr stands Judge Lawrence H. Ecker, Justice of Law School, where he obtained his Juris Greenburgh Hebrew Center. He served tall in the court- the New York State Supreme Court, was Doctor degree in 1972. Following two as chairman of the Westchester County room. He is born and raised in Yonkers, New York on years of public service, he joined his Board of Ethics and is a member of the humbled by the June 6, 1946 and is a graduate of Yonkers brother in the practice of law in Yonkers. Westchester County Executive’s Criminal high privilege he shoulders. He accom- High School, class of 1964. In 1968 he They remained partners until Judge Court Advisory Council, the Irvington plishes the task before him by listening to obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree Ecker assumed the Supreme Court bench Community Advisory Council, and the everyone that comes into his courtroom from Syracuse University where he met on June 1st of this year. Judge Ecker Board of Trustees of St. Johns Riverside with respect. By listening with respect, Lynne, his wife of 42 years. They have previously served as the Judge in North Hospital. Judge Ecker is a founding Judge Ecker can find the justice appro- two children, Karen and Andrew. Karen Tarrytown and Irvington from 1988 until member and vice president of the Justice priate to the parties that stand before is married to Todd Greenbarg and they his appointment to his present position. Brandeis Lawyers Society of the Hudson him. He is a deeply compassionate man have a son Joshua, now 20 months old. Judge Ecker has been active in Valley. but tough when circumstances demand it Karen is a social worker and Andrew is professional and community activities. of him. His biography is a compilation of a teacher. He is a former president of the Yonkers Family Judge Bill Edwards Runs For Re-election A Democrat With Republican, Independence and Tea Party Backing By Marike Potter “Judges I Judge Edwards is the first Judge to to college and become successful in life. same time, it is a balancing test. You have appeared before, preside over Integrated Youth Court Defendants have be ordered to: to determine if there is a possibility of told me I have where both Criminal and Family Court • Youth Counseling to avoid gangs healing the family.” a special gift Proceedings involving the same individual • Education to obtain a High School Judge Edwards has directed defen- for resolving disputes,” says Judge Bill are adjudicated by one judge, to more Diploma dants to classes in parenting skills; Edwards, who handled a large volume of fully address the issues that bring defen- • Truancy Prevention: Truancy often anger management and substance abuse cases as a Bronx Legal Services Attorney / dants before him. Integrated Youth Court determines whether or not young programs. Mentally ill defendants are Supervising Attorney and the Managing and Drug Court have served as models people become involved with gangs encouraged to comply with a treatment Attorney for the NYC Dept. of Housing for similar courts in other jurisdictions. and drug abuse. plan. Edwards urges the public to call the & Development, earlier in his career. “As “I come from a problem-solving • Read books, especially biographies police if they suspect a drunken adult is a judge, and in the practice of Law, you background,” says Judge Edwards. As and write reports that are read upon getting behind the wheel of a car, espe- should always be a good listener; justice a young attorney he handled landlord/ return visits. “Judge: You know who cially if children are involved: “It is better begins with listening to what people’s tenant disputes, non-payment of rent, Lil Wayne is?” one teen asked when to call the Police before you have to call problems are, to settle their disputes,” housing code violations and staved off Edwards suggested that someone the mortician.” he said. “I believe ultimately in fairness, evictions. “I presided over the best Drug incarcerated at Rikers was not the Does Judge Edwards function as “the which develops into justice, based upon Court in the County,” Edwards says with best role model. second prosecutor in the room?” “No, I resolving disputes by applying the law pride. “I’ve been able to save lives in Drug Judge Edwards makes an effort to don’t believe so. You can’t be fair if you try fairly, without respect to race, creed, color Court. I think that is what I do best. Last keep families together when handling to be judge and prosecutor. You can’t be a or sexual orientation.” Judge Edwards year, 22 people came up to me to tell me Child Abuse and Neglect cases by trier of fact and choose sides. I try to be is running for Westchester Family I saved their lives and they were happy providing services directed to correcting fair and impartial.” Court Judge on the Republican and the I presided over their cases; even some I deficiencies. He is guided by what will be Judge Edwards is a graduate of Independence lines. sent to jail. Brother, ‘I ain’t mad at you for best for the child. In serious cases where Williams College and Columbia School Judge Edwards was appointed incarcerating me. You locked me up but removal of the child from the home is of Law. Judge Edwards has over 25 years Mount Vernon City Court Judge in my brother died of crack cocaine. I see indicated, and if the child has been out of litigation experience and he has had 2002, winning a ten-year term in 2003. you were trying to save me,’ one defen- of the home for 15 out of 22 months, he multiple court decisions published in the He has served as a Westchester County dant told me.” may move to have parental rights termi- NY Law Journal. He offers his compe- Court and Family Court Judge since 2007 Edwards advises defendants to go nated so the child can grow up in a stable tence, character and commitment as and as Acting Rockland County Family to class, get good grades and stay away environment. “Keeping a family together qualifications for re-election. Court Judge from 2009 to the present. from drugs and gangs so they too, can go may not include the former family. At the The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010 Page 23 JUDGES Judge J. Emmett Murphy Avid Hunter And Fisherman Angles For Re-Election to NYS Supreme Court By Marike Potter “I think not really there. If you can get to the issues like the right not to incriminate yourself, the The Westchester Independence Party my experi- that really concern the people in front of right to counsel and the right to express Screening Committee found Judge Murphy ence makes me you, you will do a good job. I don’t charac- yourself. The Second Amendment is a curi- to be “Most Qualified” to gain a second 14 a little more terize my cases as significant or not. They osity, in that the people who are usually so year term. Dr. Julio Cavallo was quoted as efficient and are all significant to the people who brought strongly in favor of civil rights, seem to keep saying: “In order to protect the rights of the effective at getting to a good result,” said them to me or they wouldn’t be there.” looking for ways to water it down. public at large, the Judiciary must have the Judge J. Emmett Murphy, who has been a When asked about Westchester Part of what the Supreme Court actually likes of Murphy on the Bench.” jurist for 30 years. “Experience teaches you County’s recent attempts to exert control said they were doing was to protect the people Judge Murphy has been found “well- the likely result value or lack of value in a over the issuance of gun licenses, Judge from a system where, on a case, by case basis, qualified” by several County wide bar case.” Judge Murphy is seeking re-elec- Murphy, an avid hunter and fisherman, the government decides whether it is worth- associations. Additionally, Murphy has tion for a fourteen-year term to the New replied: “They said they were interested in while for you to have the right to protect been endorsed by numerous Police orga- York Supreme Court, running on the public safety, but I think it was just a power yourself with firearms. I think that this will nizations, including the Yonkers Police Democratic, Republican, Conservative and grab and it had nothing to do with safety. protect your Second Amendment rights for Benevolent Association, the Yonkers Police Independence lines. The NYS Supreme The county already controls Playland and a very long time, even if the Supreme Court Captains, the Lieutenants and Sergeants Court deals with some criminal cases and I think more people have been killed on becomes a more liberal one.” Association and the Affiliated Police unlimited civil cases in the Ninth Judicial their rides at Playland, than by all the folks “What would you say to families who Association of Westchester County, Inc. District covering Westchester, Putnam, we have licensed in the last fifty years of have lost loved ones in the wake of gun (representing 52 law enforcement organiza- Rockland, Dutchess and Orange Counties. gun licensing. So I don’t think it is about violence?” The judge pointed out that tions throughout Westchester and Putnam “Being a judge is a great thing,” said public safety.” illegal guns are a huge part of the problem Counties), the Westchester Putnam Murphy. “It is intellectually stimulating; an “They wanted Judges to be more stingy and “you cannot regulate illegal guns by Central Labor Body, (AFL-CIO) and the opportunity to serve and to do good things. with gun licenses. You shouldn’t be. The imposing rules on people with licenses.” Building and Construction Trades Council A judge can certainly make a difference in Supreme Court has said that self-defense “Do you see yourself as the second of Westchester and Putnam Counties. the lives of the people in front of him. I try is a core value in this country. The right to prosecutor in the room?” “No. I like to not to be ‘too high falutin’. I try not to see self-defense is at the root of the right to bear think I am a little more balanced than big issues and big principles when they are arms. The second amendment is a civil right, that,” he replied. Assemblyman Greg Ball lies about his abuse of women. Assemblyman Ball created a misleading TV ad about his ex-girlfriend’s Order of Protection against him. 10/21/2010 “She wasn’t that former girlfriend, but a Republican political consultant.” Assemblyman Greg Ball “has been dogged by personal issues involving women: a 2003 temporary protection order taken out by a former girlfriend he was accused of stalking; a barroom complaint in Albany by a server who said he had groped her; a sexual harassment allegation...” Paid for by Committee for Michael Kaplowitz and approved by Mike Kaplowitz Page 24 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010 JUDGES Life-long Public Servant Patricia O’Callaghan Seeks County Family Court Judgeship By Marike Potter Patricia Family Courts in New Rochelle, White Administrator for the Westchester to sit there and watch an injustice unfold. If it O’Callaghan, Plains and Yonkers. In this capacity, County STOP-DWI Program while calls for it, I will ask questions from the bench Esq. of Rye, is running for a ten-year O’Callaghan supervised cases involving working for the O’Rourke administration. but I will let prosecutors present their cases.” term as Westchester Family Court child support enforcement, violations (Fines levied against drunk drivers fund the O’Callaghan states that she has no built Judge on the Republican, Conservative of orders of protection, termination of Stop DWI program.) O’Callaghan feels in bias in awarding custody to the mother, and Independence lines. If elected, she parental rights, child abuse and neglect, that educational initiatives have made an but “would judge each case according to the pledges to “hold people to the same level of juvenile delinquency matters and exten- impact on many drivers and she believes merits.” personal responsibility that I hold myself.” I sions of placement.” She also served that: “young people have bought into the idea O’Callaghan cites her years of profes- love the law; I love being in court. This is my as a consultant to the Department of of the designated driver and opportunities for sional and public service as evidence of calling; this is my passion,” she says. “Being Social Services and was instrumental in free taxi rides home on certain nights – these her deep commitment and desire to serve in court for so many years, I think I know obtaining state approval for the Child are great programs that really work!” the people of Westchester as a judge. She what litigants want: they want to be heard. Fatality Review Team. O’Callaghan states Despite a busy career and raising a was a trial attorney for seven years and she They want a swift and a just decision that that she “has zero tolerance for domestic family, O’Callaghan found time to serve also understands how the system func- is explainable to them. Family Court trials violence.” on the Rye Zoning Board of Appeals, 1993- tions on the agency side. O’Callaghan are all bench trials with no jury and the O’Callaghan developed her listening 1996; as well as on the boards of My promises to look out for the best interests judge is the trier of fact; the role of the Judge and people skills as a teenager, when Sister’s Place (1993-1996) - a woman’s of the child without losing sight of the is so important.” O’Callaghan is currently she volunteered in the constituent office shelter, The Westchester County Board need to protect the community. She holds the Deputy Director of the Westchester of a NYS Senator. She later served as of Ethics and The Westchester Institute a B. A. in Government from Sweet Briar County Solid Waste Commission. Director for Constituent Affairs for NYS for Human Development. O’Callaghan College in Virginia, a Master’s of Social O’Callaghan has extensive experience Assembly Representative, John Perone also volunteered as a facilitator at the Science in Criminal Justice from Long in Family Court matters, having served and for former County Executive Andrew Westchester Bereavement Center from Island University in Dobbs Ferry and a as a Senior County Attorney, Supervisor O’Rourke. O’Callaghan answered phones, 2007-the present. Juris Doctor from Pace University School for a unit of Child Support Attorneys and followed up on constituent questions and If elected, would O’Callaghan serve as of Law. O’Callaghan is married to Harold later as the developed suggestions for legislation, “the second prosecutor in the room?” “No, my O’Callaghan, Jr. and she is the mother of Deputy County Attorney, managing a “helping everyday people cut through the job is to be fair and impartial. I will not be Tim Higgins, age 26. twenty eight attorney bureau covering the red tape.” O’Callaghan was the Program the second prosecutor. I am certainly not going Top Criminal Defense Attorney Has Been Benched By Marike Potter He has been versus losses, Warhit modestly declines to transition to be extremely interesting and I - 1989). Warhit worked for Devonshire described as “the offer up a score and instead replies: “I was find that being a full-time judge presiding Tire, a family business, from 1990-94 winningest” a prosecutor early in my legal career and over criminal cases, to be a natural fit, and then entered into private practice in criminal defense I was a criminal defense attorney for the based upon my background and experi- White Plains. He appears to be one very attorney in past fifteen years. I tried over sixty cases ence. As a judge, I have been able to use thoughtful, careful guy: he made two Westchester to verdict before juries, including seven- my experience from both sides of the case phone calls during our interview to make County, teen homicides and I have enjoyed a fair to understand and deal with issues in jury sure he was not violating any ethical codes until April 16, 2010 when Governor amount of success.” cases involving serious allegations. My in speaking to me for this story. I wish Patterson appointed Barry E. Warhit to As to the Governor’s motives, Warhit experience gives me the perspective to be to state, for the record, that he did not fill a vacancy on the Westchester County replied: “I am flattered that the Governor’s a fair and impartial judge.” discuss any cases with me. Court. This begs the question, was the independent screening committee found Warhit is a graduate of the Wharton Warhit lives in Scarsdale with his governor impressed with Warhit’s knowl- me to be highly qualified for the position. School at the University of Pennsylvania wife, Dr. Ellen Teplitz, of Southern edge of the law or adroitly preventing him I have been taking steps to put myself in and the Duke University School of Westchester Dermatology in Tuckahoe. from pounding the D.A.’s office in future a position to be a full-time County Court Law. He served as an Assistant District Dr Teplitz, a Dermatologist, is on staff cases? An interim appointment, Justice Judge since 2006, when I was appointed Attorney in Manhattan from 1982-85 at Albert Einstein School of Medicine. Warhit is running on the Democratic and as the acting village justice of Tarrytown, and as an associate in the New York They have two children, Margot and Independence Lines for a ten-year term where I served for four years. As a village City law firms of Otterbourg, Steindler, Benjamin. as a Westchester County Court Judge. judge, I received judicial training and I Houston and Rosen (1981-82) and at When asked if he supports increased When asked about his record of wins will continue those courses. I found the Lester, Schwab, Katz and Dwyer, (1986 Continued on page 25 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010 Page 25 JUDGES Judge Warhit Continued from page 24 very hard in advocating their respec- judicial discretion in sentencing he tive positions. I can assure the people of Elect replied: “The range of sentences is set Westchester that I will dedicate myself to by the Legislature and I am comfort- being the best possible judge that I can be able with that; as a judge I am bound to and that I will use all of my knowledge follow the laws made by the legislature. I and experience gained as a prosecutor and am happy to work within the system and a defense lawyer to accomplish that.” Jim Maisano honored to be a member of the judiciary.” Will Judge Warhit function as “the With regard to his experience on second prosecutor in the room?” “No,” the bench to date, Warhit “believes that he replies. “My role is to ensure that the lawyers who come before me are treated defendant receives a fair trial. All lawyers Supreme Court Justice with respect and professionalism. I was appearing in my court room will adhere a lawyer for many years and I understand to the rules of law and evidence.” that lawyers on both sides are working MOVIE REVIEWS Ed Koch Movie Reviews By Edward I. Koch By Edward I. Koch Movie Review: “Mao’s Last Dancer” (+) The movie is based on Li Cunxin’s autobiography. It’s no blockbuster, but it is a pleasant, enjoyable and interesting film. It opens in China in 1972 and intro- duces us to a peasant family. One of their sons, Li Cunxin, is plucked from his home of abject poverty by a Communist talent team and sent to Beijing to be trained as a ballet dancer. Li Cunxin is a committed Communist being indoctri- The right experience for the bench: nated in the way every German child was in the Hitler Jugend. In 1981, he is sent • Practicing Attorney to Texas to work with the Houston Ballet Company directed by Ben Stevenson • County Legislator (Bruce Greenwood). Li Cunxin is played as an 11-year-old boy by Huang Wenbin, • Marine Corps Veteran as a teenager by Guo Chengwu, and as an I went to China in 1979 when I adult by Chi Cao who, of course, is a true was mayor. Visitors from the West were Endorsed by the Republican, ballet star in real life. so rare that crowds followed me and Ultimately, Li Cunxin is called back members of my party along the streets. At Independence, and to China at his government’s request that time, China was still overwhelmingly which he resists using the legal services agricultural and poverty stricken. Today Conservative Parties. of immigration attorney Charles Foster it is the second highest user of energy in (Kyle MacLachlan). The movie occa- the world, having replaced Japan, and its sionally borders on a soap opera, but the architecture and skyscrapers rival the best Paid for by Maisano for Justice excellent acting by the entire cast keeps in the world. Gee, I’d like to return and it from falling overboard. I saw it at the visit once again. www.JimMaisano.com Quad Cinema, located at 34 West 13th Street. 914–355-9205 Page 26 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010 MOVIE REVIEWS into deregulation from the start of his Wall Street firms used prostitutes in their term. Deregulation is the major cause of business activities for the pleasure of their Ed Koch Movie Reviews the debacle, as well as pathetically inef- clients. She is now on the ballot as a By Edward I. Koch fective supervision by agencies which did candidate for New York State governor. have regulatory authority. The picture powerfully sets forth Movie Review: “Inside Job” (+) Larry Summers is leaving his White statistic after statistic, fact after fact, on House position as Director of the National what occurred when the nation slipped This documentary about the 2008 Economic Council. When he was the into the Great Recession and needed financial crisis is, in effect, a one-man president of Harvard University, he was huge federal bailouts to recover. That operation. The man is Charles Ferguson attacked for raising a controversial issue script should be made available in book who collaborated on the script, directed concerning the proficiency of women in form so that those statistics and facts the film, and interrogated people in the certain professional fields. At the time, remain readily available. New York financial industry who agreed I thought he was unfairly attacked as a The most impacting aspect of this to go on camera. For some others, he uses misogynist, having been requested to pose picture, as well as a similar treatment video clips. a controversial question which did not provided by Channel 13’s “Frontline” Ferguson interviews a host of Wall reflect his own views. I now believe his show on the same subject, is that few, if Streeters asking how the Great Recession air of superiority contributed to the anger any, appear to have been subject to crim- occurred. Many of those interviewed of women and that he too was one of the inal liability. Even worse, for the most come across as caricatures and dumb ones prime culprits in bringing on the Great part, those responsible have kept their at that. Recession. Summers recently announced millions and billions of dollars and have In my opinion, the officials respon- that he is leaving the Obama administra- become even wealthier since the recovery, sible for the debacle are Robert Rubin tion at the end of this year to return to while ordinary Americans continue to and Larry Summers, Secretaries of the Harvard to save his tenure. suffer. Treasury under President Clinton, Henry Interestingly, Summers has been I saw the film at the Lincoln Plaza Paulson, Treasury Secretary under George shown unfavorably in two recent movies. Cinema, 1886 Broadway at 63rd Street. W. Bush, and Timothy Geithner, Treasury Not only “Inside Job,” but he was Henry Stern said: “This is a fine Secretary under President Obama. guilty is Alan Greenspan, who served as portrayed in “The Social Network” as movie which more people should see. Summers is the outgoing Director of the Federal Reserve Chairman for 18 years an arrogant stuffed shirt. You should see It casts a baleful eye on Wall Street National Economic Council. Equally under four presidents. He led the country both films. manipulation, fueled by false rumors, and I believe President Obama has to Congressional deregulation, lubricated by be held responsible for bringing into his massive lobbying. administration the very people, along with Unmentioned here is that what Bernie others, responsible for the fall of America’s Madoff did was illegal under existing law. economy: Summers and Geithner. In the The Feds couldn’t catch him because they opinion of many, President Barack Obama were inept. Dumb cops usually don’t sold out America to the insurance compa- catch smart robbers. nies and the prescription drug industry in There is a reason profit is called the recently passed comprehensive health ‘the bottom line.” For many, it is what insurance legislation. Similarly, he and Vince Lombardi called winning. People members of Congress have sold us out to are trained at great expense to pursue it. Wall Street and continue to do so. ‘Inside Job’ exposes weaknesses in the rich I will only be convinced that he is and famous. It doesn’t tell us what they defending the public, which has been should have been doing. raped by Wall Street, if he directs Attorney I recommend this movie. It is as close General Eric Holder to establish a special to the inside as most of us will ever get. unit to go after the Wall Streeters who True, the documentary is one-sided, but committed illegal acts. How can it be that that is because what happened is indefen- so few are held criminally responsible for sible, except possibly to Ayn Rand.” the debacle? Check out videos of these and other Humorously, in the film Ferguson reviews on my website, Mayor at the interviews former New York State Movies website. And don’t forget to Governor Eliot Spitzer, who had to follow me on Twitter! Let him know your step down as governor because of a sex thoughts by directing email to eikoch@ scandal. To his credit, Spitzer took on bryancave.com. Wall Street’s excesses when he was New The Honorable Edward Irving Koch served York’s Attorney General. Even more New York City as its 105th Mayor from bizarre is Ferguson’s interview with the 1978 to 1989. madam who provided Spitzer and others with prostitutes. She comments on how The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010 Page 27 MUSIC THE SOUNDS END THE ALBANY DISASTER! OFBLUE VERNUCCIO By Bob Putignano FOR STATE SENATE 34TH DISTRICT Sanatana “Guitar Heaven: The Greatest Guitar Classics of All Time” “Attempting to take dead aim at Classic Rock Radio and baby boomers” One thing is sure here, this new Santana disc is targeted right at the Classic Rock Radio format and baby boomers. Is that a good thing? Sometimes yes, but for the most part no. Once again Clive Davis and company employ the big stars to try to pull this off, most of the current day featured stars I am not very familiar with, the guests that I know are; Joe Cocker, Jonny Lang, and Ray Manzarek. Zeppelin’s and Willie Dixon’s “Whole Lotta Love” is so weird, and even though credit should be given for the rearrange- ments, it fails to deliver. The Stones “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking” fairs much Willie Dixon’s “I Ain’t Superstitious” with better, Scott Weiland’s vocals are okay, but Jonny Lang’s uncomfortable vocals sans it’s Santana who steels the show during guitar, once again Santana’s mostly over the instrumental segment and offers his the top playing fails to impress, and is filled CUT TAXES NOW! most creative guitar work here. “Sunshine with predictable clichés. of Your Love” is a complete throwaway. I Musically and with other worldly ABOLISH & REBUILD WASTEFUL don’t think George Harrison would have projects Carlos Santana is a man who cared for India.Arie & Yo-Yoma’s almost usually prides himself to be true to his AGENCIES LIKE THE MTA! folk interpretation of “While My Guitar craft and his good deeds, unfortunately Gently Weeps.” “Back In Black” is given this is not the case here. “Guitar Heaven” STOP “PAY TO PLAY” POLITICS! a rap treatment, next. Ray Manzarek is is one very big sellout for commercial employed to recreate the Doors classic success, and nothing more.. Last but not “Riders on the Storm,” but alas Manzarek least, the feeling I get is that Santana does not get to solo and just lays down his mailed this one in; most of his solos distinctive groove, Santana’s playing is far sound like one-off studio takes, his tone too excessive, and he could have used a is also similar from track to track, and lesson from Robbie Krieger. Oh my God, most importantly; Carlos does not exude Deep Purple’s “Smoke On The Water,” the passion he’s most renowned for. This Van Halen’s “Dance the Night Away,” is pop rock recording, not at its finest, Paid for by Friends of Vernuccio and T Rex’s “Bang a Gong” are downright and it desperately lacks creativity. “Guitar hideous, lame and so very predictable. Heaven” seems destined to be forgotten Vote on rows B & D Thankfully Joe Cocker’s in good vocal about in the not too distant future… form on Hendrix’ “Little Wing,” but Bob Putignano is host of WFDU’s Sounds Santana is not a good candidate to exhume of Blue, www.SoundsofBlue.com the most www.vernuccio4senate.com the dynamics of Jimi. Blues ensues on pledged to program for three consecutive years Page 28 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010 OPED ED KOCH COMMENTARY Canada Appears More Protective of Its Children Than Is the U.S. By Edward I. Koch Protecting “imposed bans on some uses of BPA.” the end of the mortgage pipeline, have hiring documents at businesses to check Our Children; When the United States refused also been handled with a disregard for for unauthorized immigrant workers, the Housing Mortgage to allow thalidomide to be sold in this rules and standards.” officials said, bringing criminal charges Foreclosures; Deportation of Illegal country, even though it was being sold Wouldn’t it make sense to consider against 180 employers and levying more Immigrants; and the Unincarcerated in Europe, we saved countless children creating a new division in the bankruptcy than $50 million in fines.” Wealthy Criminals from being born limbless and otherwise courts to deal with “the prospect that Finally, The Times reported, According to The New York Times deformed. Shouldn’t we err on the side some families may have lost their homes “Officials said that many of the nearly of October 14th, Canada “has declared of safety with regard to BPA, especially in a less than legal process and that some 200,000 immigrants deported who had bisphenol A [BPA], a chemical widely when children are most prone to absorb buyers of foreclosed houses may not have committed no crimes were fugitives used to create clear, hard plastics, as well the chemical and “the highest concen- clear title to their properties?” from immigration courts or had recently as food can liners, to be a toxic substance.” trations of the compound were found in Congress should give to bankruptcy crossed the border illegally.” This followed Canada’s ban of BPA two teenagers, with younger children a close court judges the power to remake the For the Obama administration, this years ago “in polycarbonate bottles used second?” terms of mortgages, a reform which the success is a two-edged sword. On the one by infants and children.” The compound Our economy, still reeling from the Congress refused to enact the last time hand, it shows dramatically that when can still be used in a host of products in housing crisis, now has to confront a new it examined bankruptcy proceedings. the executive branch wants to enforce Canada, but “the move would make it and devastating development -- a large At that time, Congress yielded to the the law, it can. On the other hand, the easier to ban the use of BPA in specific number of questionable housing mort- demands of the banking and housing information will adversely affect the products through regulations.” The deci- gage foreclosures. As an October 3rd industries. Apparently, it is those two administration’s goal of enacting, after sion was “condemned by the American New York Times editorial reports, “Since industries that once again threaten our the November elections and before Chemical Council.” the bubble burst, efforts to rework bad economy. the next and new session of Congress, It is true that the European Food loans have been slowed by the lenders’ When Congress wants to act, as it comprehensive immigration reform Safety Authority has not banned BPA, resistance, and by their incompetence.” has demonstrated with the passage of the legislation which includes providing but both France and Denmark have The article continued, “…foreclosures, Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), amnesty and a path to citizenship to the stimulus package and bailouts of the an estimated 11 to 20 million or more automotive industry, it can do so with illegal aliens. The public is opposed to alacrity. these proposals, but there are Democrats Now is the time for Congress to and Republicans who continue to believe step in, this time on the side of the they can force the legislation upon the consuming public. That doesn’t happen American public. RiveRview CouRt often enough. Finally, why is it that millionaires APARtMeNtS 47 RiveRdale ave., YonkeRs, nY The New York Times on October 8th and billionaires who violate SEC rules ran a story on deportation of illegal immi- and regulations and steal millions are grants, providing a series of statistics that generally only required to pay fines? are both heartening and horrifying: Sometimes they may lose their licenses “Immigration authorities deported to practice on Wall Street, but they are a record 392,862 immigrants over the not required to admit guilt or go to last year…about half of those deported, prison. For them, paying fines, even in 195,372, were convicted criminals… the millions, is simply another regulatory 1 & 2 BR apaRtments at a GReat pRice! The surge in deportation of criminals fee, part of the cost of doing business. 1 BR staRtinG at $1075 • 2 BRs staRtinG at $1300 came in part as a result of a program On the other hand, poor or moderate called Secure Communities, officials say, income people who are caught stealing 914.798.9410 which allows local enforcement officers hundreds or a few thousands of dollars, • High-Rise Building and Views of the Hudson and Historical Yonkers to check the immigration status of every are frequently sent to prison. • Nearby Public Transportation, Shopping/Restaurants, the Hudson River person, including American citizens Why are the wealthy who injure tens and only 15 min. away from NYC TTY # 800.662.1200 booked into a county or local jail [to of thousands of people and steal millions • Fitness Center On-Site Riverview Court check fingerprints]…20,000 immigrants of dollars during their crime sprees, not • 24 Hours Access Control Patrol Does Not • Large State of the Art Laundry Room Discriminate in the county jail system…were eligible imprisoned as well? • 24 Hr. Maintenance On The Basis for deportation…about one-third who The Honorable Edward Irving Koch Of Disability. • On-Site Management were deported had committed the most served New York City as its 105th Mayor • Reasonably-Priced Indoor Parking On-Site, with Controlled Access serious crimes, including murder, rape from 1978 to 1989. His e-mail address is: • Resident Lounge 15 min. and major drug offenses, according to the [email protected] • Business Center FRom nYc Homeland Security figures. Immigration • Beautiful Courtyard in the center of the complex via and Customs Enforcement [I.C.E.] also with well-appointed landscape areas metRo noRth! conducted more than 2,000 audits of The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010 Page 29 NEW YORK CIVIC VOTE TO KEEP A New Low Judge By Henry J. Stern Barry E. Warhit Westchester County Court Judge Paterson Ousts Grannis from Environment Post 11 Days Before Election First Published on October 22, 2010 Just when you think an administra- even if he has known and been friendly tion cannot get any worse, it does. with them for over twenty-five years. After the devastating report by I recall a similar situation about State Inspector General Joseph Fisch twelve years ago. First Deputy Mayor on the politics of the Aqueduct racino, Peter Powers told the assembled Giuliani we awaited the reaction of the scandal- commissioners that the budget had to scarred Paterson regime. be reduced for almost all agencies. He It came unexpectedly last night in patiently said that some agencies might the sudden dismissal of Pete Grannis, feel in good faith that their work would Commissioner of Environmental be seriously impaired, that they would be Conservation, while he was receiving unable to provide the services on which an award from the New York Water people had become dependent, that Environment Association, a nonprofit the social fabric would be strained, etc. educational group founded in 1929 by Powers said he could understand how professionals in the field of water quality. commissioners could feel that way, and if The firing of the commissioner, so, he added, “Let’s part friends”. Those coming eleven days before a statewide words became Rule 15. election, is so ridiculous that it is difficult An unsigned, undated memo, to comprehend. It was ostensibly based revealing no secrets and simply seeking to on the leaking of a memo outlining the avoid budget cuts, is nothing to complain Tough, Fair, Experienced & Most Qualified consequences of budget cuts proposed about that seriously. You cut the budget if for DEP. The memo was innocuous, a you must, but you do not fire a competent standard warning by an agency head of commissioner for explaining the conse- Found Well Qualified by the the impact of the loss of hundreds of quences of reductions. One cannot prove Westchester Women’s Bar Association employees. It was followed by a cordial who leaked the memo, but it really doesn’t meeting with the budget director to see matter because there was nothing in it Found Well Qualified by the how the cuts could be made with minimal that could not be said in public. Westchester County Bar Association disruption of services. That is why the If Grannis were insubordinate and sequence of emails culminating in his a poor administrator, as is now claimed, Found Highly Qualified by the discharge came as a surprise. why did it take Paterson until ten weeks Governor’s Judicial Screening Committee Why is it that Pete Grannis enjoys before he leaves office to fire him? This is such a good reputation, while Paterson’s the politics of a banana republic, actions Endorsed by: staff is viewed as irrelevant and incon- taken out of spite rather than reason. sequential? It is because Grannis has If you want to punish Grannis, cut his The Affiliated Police Association done constructive work over the years to budget a little more than you would have of Westchester County protect the environment, which people if he had been on board with the cuts. appreciate, while the achievements of the One theory is that this action was Yonkers PBA others, if they exist, are unknown. taken by a failed governor, through a It is not uncommon for outstanding henchman, out of resentment at the public Westchester-Putnam Counties commissioners to be harassed and belit- esteem and popularity of a commis- AFL-CIO Central Labor Body tled by executive staff. I endured those sioner who had served thirty years in the slings for years, but Mayor Giuliani Assembly and four years in the cabinet. New York Supreme Court Officers Association was always supportive when disputed Another theory is that Schwartz was matters came to his personal attention. responsible for the action, with Paterson Westchester Corrections Officers Apparently Governor Paterson is so either misled or too weak to prevent it. Benevolent Association dependent on those around him that he is Continued on page 30 unable to protect his own commissioners, Page 30 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010 NEW YORK CIVIC Grannis’ desire to protect the countryside dismissal. allowing the Commissioner even to see A New Low and watershed from pollution. This is not to say that we agree with the Governor is a cowardly flight from Continued from page 29 In an administration not known everything Commissioner Grannis has responsibility. Both the Governor and for integrity, with a governor facing one said or done in four years. His agency has Schwartz, who holds the title of Secretary It has been suggested that the real investigation after another, all for rela- been criticized for obduracy and for not to the Governor, should be ashamed of reason for the dismissal is the handling of tively small matters until the Aqueduct reining in environmental zealots. (There themselves, if they are capable of such a the Marcellus shale controversy. Schwartz racino blew up in his face, the ouster of a are such people, even for good causes.) It feeling. is a strong supporter of hydrofracking, popular commissioner, a few days before is, however, valuable when commissioners It is sad to see an administration that a process for extracting natural gas by the election of a new governor, is unprec- support the goals of their agencies, and began in hope dissolve in scandal. Now it shooting water and chemicals to break edented, even for the most dysfunctional are willing to fight to achieve them in has happened for the second time in four rocks. state government in the nation. the face of obstacles thrown up by those years. He has pestered Grannis for hasty We predict that Pete Grannis’ repu- who would imperil the planet for personal Seventy-one days remain for this approval of the project, although a tation will be enhanced by his dismissal, profit. troubled executive chamber. They cannot substantive environmental impact state- as well as his chance of being retained by To dismiss an unquestionably pass soon enough. ment has yet to be prepared. Governor-to-be Cuomo. The stain of his honest, highly regarded environmen- Henry J. Stern writes as StarQuest. Direct Whatever reservations observers may participation in the ill-fated Spitzer and talist who has devoted his professional have had with Grannis’ performance are email to him at [email protected]. Paterson administrations has been alle- life to public service is a new low for the Peruse Mr. Stern’s writing at New York dwarfed by resentment of his dismissal, viated to some extent by his peremptory Paterson-Schwartz administration. Not apparently over a trifle, but possibly over Civic. WEIR ONLY HUMAN Don’t Tug on Superman’s Cape By Bob Weir I had been outside the apartment door. “She’s in there began to exhibit some of those excruci- but she was right. By the way, I take no working radio and she needs a doctor,” one of them yelled ating pains that accompany labor. “Just credit for the delivery; only the woman motor patrol in excitedly. Thinking an assault had occurred, hold on Ma’am,” I said through trembling can do that. However, she did say she Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant area for I headed toward the door while asking lips, “we’ll get you to a hospital right away.” would give her daughter the middle name, about a year and had come across what the obviously agitated woman who did it No, noooo, there’s no time!” she growled, Roberta. I thought was every conceivable chal- and was the person inside. She looked at her teeth clenched to ward off the agony. Bob Weir is a veteran of 20 years with the lenge a cop could imagine. Homicides, me quizzically and said: “Well, I guess her “She’s coming! You… have to… help New York Police Dept. (NYPD), ten of which rapes, robberies, burglaries and an assort- boyfriend did it, but he left a long time ago.” me,” she said between gasps of air. Now were performed in plainclothes undercover ment of other acts of human malevolence Feeling a bit confused by that response, it really got scary. I remember thinking assignments. During his early years with were a daily occurrence in the high-crime I nevertheless pushed open the slightly that they had taught me a lot of things in NYPD, Bob earned a Bachelor of Science section of the borough. In addition, I ajar portal and my partner and I entered a the Police Academy, but, if this was one of degree, cum laude from New York Institute had handled myriad family disputes that narrow passageway that led to a bedroom the lessons, I must have missed it. After of Technology. He retired as a sergeant after culminated in violence and vehicle acci- about 10 feet away. We could hear looking around the room like a helpless supervising patrol in Midtown Manhattan, dents that left body parts strewn across moaning sounds from the room, so we dolt, I took a deep breath and decided it the busiest precinct in the country. After highways. It doesn’t take long to become took a quick peek before entering. “Is that was time to grow up. owning and operating a wine and liquor a veteran when faced with a workload of the police?” the bedridden woman said. Suddenly, I recalled the doctor shows retail business in Long Island for 5 years, he that magnitude. Add to that the fact that “Please help me; I need an ambulance!” on television and I took my cues from sold it and moved to Flower Mound, Texas. I had several good arrests under my belt What I saw when I turned the corner was them. “Get some towels and hot water!” I Bob began a writing career about 12 years and it’s easy to see that at the ripe old age more frightening than facing a man with a said to the neighbor, trying to sound like ago and had his first book published in 1999. of 22, I felt like I could do anything. Well, gun. The supine figure was nude from the I knew what I was doing. “Okay, Ma’am, Bob went on to write and publish a total of Superman was about to be put to the test. waist down and her legs were spread wide just be calm and push slowly,” I muttered, seven novels, “Murder in Black and White,” One summer evening, while my partner apart. Her lower abdomen was distended putting the towels next to her body as I “City to Die For,” “Powers that Be,” “Ruthie’s and I were chowing down on a greasy burger and I could see movement just below it. began to talk her through it. A moment Kids,” “Deadly to Love,” “Short Stories of Life or some other fast food that could be gobbled I suppose I said something like, “Oh my later, I saw something that would change and Death,” and “Out of Sight,” are available quickly while sitting in the car and waiting God” as I realized I was about to view the me forever because I witnessed what can at Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, Books-a- for another assignment, a call came over miracle of birth. only be described as a natural phenom- million, and other major online book sellers. the radio that would add another dimen- A female neighbor was kneeling enon, divinely inspired. Yes, I know there He also became a syndicated columnist under sion to my experience. The dispatcher said beside the distraught woman, trying to are countless births every day in this world, the title “Weir Only Human”. His perspec- there were “calls for help” at an apartment console her. Evidently, the dispatcher but to see it happen up close is to know tive may be read within the pages of the in our sector, so, we shoved the remainder of hadn’t obtained the proper info on this there is a God. First, the head emerged Westchester Guardian, Westchester Herald our meal into a bag and headed toward the call, so my partner ran downstairs to the and some of her pain subsided. Then, after and the Yonkers Tribune. address. When we climbed the 4 flights of car radio to summon an ambulance. He a few more contractions, a child was born. stairs, we were met by a few people standing wasn’t gone 30 seconds before the woman I don’t know how she knew it was a girl, The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010 Page 31 POLITICS Coup Attempt to Depose Yonkers I Conservative Committee Falters L By Hezi Aris Former One would executive assistant chairman over coaxed their respective side to accept Educator think the call Thomas Ahern. Justice DelBella’s demand to start at L to enter battle Congratulations were exchanged the beginning, that is, to design a new and at Gallipoli was to be the certain among some as other licked their petition form that would supplant death of many a loyalist, as well as wounds. Lunch beckoned to allow all previously Westchester County Businessman opponents to the present Yonkers for a breather before the Hon. Board of Elections signed and vali- E Conservative Committee which was Robert M. DelBella would ascertain dated petitions. The papers are to be Mike under siege. There were challenges the conduct of the disparate factions presented to the Honorable DelBella Ramondelli from without, but the challenges in deciding who would rule the roost. on October 26th. and on December from within divided the political The Hon. Robert M. DelBella 1, 2010 the newly designated, signed for State house. Each side had huffed and was heard say, “Fighting is not petitions will be tabulated and puffed. Each side had drawn a line good,” as he ushered Guy Parisi, advised the court. The court’s deci- D Assembly. in the sand. Chairman John Folkerts Esq., representing the Hugh Fox, Jr., sion and ruling will be final. stood at one side of the divide, faction for the Westchester County The Hon. Robert M. DelBella Vincenza Restiano stood at the ready Conservative Committee Chair, and won the battle today. His balanced Together, to take his chairmanship. In poli- A. Joshua Ehrlich, Esq., representing perspective, comprehension of law, tics the game is played by numbers. incumbent Chair Gail Burns. and ability to judge human behavior N We Can Those numbers consist of votes. The Hon. DelBella infused a were faultlessly synchronized. His Those votes are calculated by weight. confident, stern, albeit respectful words, train of thought, and every Make a The weight is determined by the last tone among contestants who had physical stance expressed his deter- gubernatorial race which in this situ- reached the brink of civility and mination and expectant result. He Fresh Start. ation refers to the time John Faso ran needed to be gently coaxed to an drove the bargain home. He won O for New York State Governor. environment conducive to discus- the day but left a residue of win Each side espoused they had sion, so as to gravitate each toward among the protagonists that will last the numbers to win the day. When accommodation of the other. The them each throughout their task. the reorganization was conducted at Hon. Judge DelBella armed each The Hon. DelBella exacted a sense the Polish Community Center on respective counsel with the responsi- of civility and respect one does not the morning of October 21, 2010, bility to cajole an amenable working often witness to be loftiest role the M the tabulations had the Folkerts relationship among the dueling courts may play. e contingent garner 1243 votes, while forces. Mssrs. Ehrlich and Parisi k the Restiano backers mustered 309 each succumbed to their dutiful roles i votes. demanded of them. They each in turn M John Folkerts maintained A the chairman position over t challenger Vincenza Restiano. c Vincent Spano won the position e l of 1st vice chairman over Hugh E Fox, Jr. Mike Eifler earned the R position of 2nd vice chair over Richard Falcone. Gregory DeSousa trounced Richard Halevy for treasurer. Patrick Brady succeeded winning the position of recording secretary over Thomas Byrne. Lenny N. Spano won the position of It’s Not Too Late To Fix Albany! corresponding secretary over Arthur Galvine, Jr. And Edward Doyle Sr. won the position of Page 32 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010 POLITICS Statement by Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins I am filing a In reference to a 308-page report discussion, decision or selection of AEG even an appearance of impropriety. I have complaint against issued by the Inspector General yesterday, or any other operator. long been in the fight to reform campaign my opponent, Liam these are the facts. Yes, I was named on Moreover, the Inspector General finance laws—a fight that has not been McLaughlin, with 2 pages of the report on the selection interviewed 65 people in 82 interview won, frankly, because of Republican the Westchester of AEG to operate the Video Lottery sessions generating over 4,400 transcript resistance. County Fair Terminals at the Aqueduct Racetrack. pages of sworn testimony, read through I support the Inspector General’s Campaign However, on page 237 of the report, the some 500,000 e- mails and 240,000 docu- recommendation that the United States Practices Committee, for the state- Inspector General makes clear that “… ments and not once was I contacted by the Attorney investigate the issue further. ments that he issued earlier today, which AEG not only contributed to the actual Inspector General’s office for my testi- I believe that any person involved in included unsubstantiated allegations of and apparent key Senate decision makers, mony or any documents. I solely appeared unlawful activity should be dealt with personal misconduct. I will not allow an Senator Sampson, Smith and Espada, in this report, as a recipient of donations swiftly and harshly. accusation of a betrayal of my oath of but also contributed to the campaigns of an affiliate ofAE G, allegedly based on The public trust cannot be office to stand, or to divert attention away of several other democratic senators not a conversation I was not privy to. compromised. from the very real issues of the campaign remotely involved in the decision.” I have since returned those contribu- Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins represents that we are engaged in for the next ten I am one of those Senators not tions by those named in the report, not the 35th Senate District. days. remotely involved in any aspect of the because of any wrongdoing, but to avoid The Doug Martino File Westchester’s Excessive Taxes, Doug Mount Vernon cops in Civil Rights and Martino, negligence actions. Failing Schools,and Poor Services resident of Martino is enjoying his campaign for Armonk and County Court Judge. “It’s been a posi- partner in the tive experience. I feel good and confident Are Signs of Albany’s Failure firm of Martino about the campaign. He continued, “On & Weiss in the County Court, experience counts the By Frank V. Vernuccio, Jr. Mount Vernon, most and I hope voters will take a look at is running for the Westchester County my qualifications.” Westchester a period when inflation was low. To Court seat left open upon the election last As for what he hoped to bring to residents pay add insult to injury, our services have year of Jeff Cohen to the Supreme Court. the bench should he be elected, Martino the highest taxes diminished while fares have risen. It is Martino is running on the Republican stated “I will draw on my 25 years of in the nation. inexcusable that legislative leaders have and Conservative lines, having defeated experience practicing law and litigating In return, they failed to address this. his opponent, Barry Warhit, in the criminal and civil cases. It is also impor- receive inad- My opponent, Senator Klein, has Conservative Party Primary last month tant to show respect to the players, equate schools, advanced his career and his campaign war by a margin of more than 3 to 1. whether they be attorneys or litigants.” constant rate chest at the expense of his constituents. Martino attended Quinipiac At home, Martino is on the Board hikes from the He was described by the Senate Majority University School of Law, graduating in of Directors of the Armonk Lions Club. MTA, and pay-to Leader as “The enforcer” to insure that the top 3 percent of his class and serving An avid bicyclist, each year Doug joins play politicians. lobbyist contribute to the Democrats. as editor of its Law Review. He began hundreds of other riders on the 100-mile We can, and we must, do better. The By every objective standard, New his legal career as an Assistant District MS Bike Tour around Manhattan fact is, much of the state budget goes to York is failing. The highest taxes, high Attorney for Westchester County, starting Island, through the Palisades and up help politicians get re-elected, and not unemployment, diminished services, and in the local courts where he prosecuted to Haverstraw and back, in the process to address vital issues. New York spends corrupt state government all indicate that misdemeanors throughout the County. raising thousands of dollars for the more per student than any other state in we must end the Albany disaster. After being promoted to the Superior Multiple Sclerosis Foundation of New the US—but too much goes to the educa- Court Trial Division, Martino tried many York. Frank V. Vernuccio, Jr., is the Republican/ tional bureaucracy, not students. The of the most serious felonies in the County. Martino and his wife Denise have Conservative candidate for State Senate in unions that get the big dollars contribute In over two decades of private prac- lived in Armonk for 12 years. Their two the 34th District. heavily to politicians; students and their tice, Martino has litigated hundreds of sons attend Byram Hills Schools. Their criminal and civil matters in State and daughter just graduated from Notre parents can’t afford to do that. Federal Courts. His firm has also repre- Dame. Similarly, we can no longer tolerate sented the City of Mount Vernon and its agencies like the MTA, which has hiked Police Department, often representing fares four times in five years, during The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010 Page 33 technology Air Force Association Commences Cybersecurity Competition By Bary Alyssa Johnson The Air Force which is comprised of Junior ROTC of losing our economic advantage and our and names its biggest challenge as being Association (AFA), (JROTC) units of all Services & Civil Air very freedom.” ill-prepared to rear a generation of people a non-profit organi- Patrol Squadrons. The “Open Division” The CyberPatriot Competition was who are trained and ready to take over our zation, is hosting its invites promising students from high created by the AFA in a bid to excite cyber systems in order for our country to 2nd annual national schools around the country, regardless of and education the nation’s youth, with a remain competitive and free in the 21st high school cyber ROTC affiliation. goal of encouraging bright young minds century, according to Skoch. defense competi- “The best thing America can do to help defend cyber space in the United Continued on page 34 tion beginning to protect our future as a nation States. The AFA says it is concerned October 2010. The with respect to cyber secu- about such rampant cyber space issues competition, dubbed rity is to encourage our CyberPatriot, focuses brightest young minds on cyber security to get excited about Before speaking to the police... call and how to avoid studying math, the dangers of science, engineering George Weinbaum Internet threat. and technology,” ATTORNEY AT LAW The Bernie Skoch, two-track CyberPatriot FREE CONSULTATION: competition is Commissioner, told Criminal, Medicaid, Medicare open to young the Westchester Fraud, White-Collar Crime & individuals in Guardian in an inter- Health Care Prosecutions. T. 914.948.0044 two areas: the “All view. “If we don’t do F. 914.686.4873 Service Division,” this we are at great peril 175 MAIN ST., SUITE 711-7 • WHITE PLAINS, NY 10601 KEEP ! SUPREME COURT JUSTICE ! COLLEEN D. ! ! DUFFY ! IN THE NYS SUPREME COURT C "#$!%&'()! C "*(&$(!+,-)! C .(/0!/0!1&)$(2#3!45(06/07! C 806!93-&0:!;:)2#0<$/,0! ! Over 20 Years of Legal and Judicial Leadership McLaughlinforSenate.com Experienced - Highly Qualified - Committed =>>!"(0$*&3!? &*@!9A(0#(! B*((0-#*7CD! EF!GH=IJ! Paid for by Friends of Judge Duffy 2010 K>GLM!NGJOJPHJ! Page 34 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010 TECHNOLOGY The training materials that competi- Air Force Association Commences Cybersecurity Competition tors will receive address the notion of “Open Division”) and 152 Civil Air what cyber security actually is, according Patrol Squadrons, 205 Air Force Junior to Skoch. “They not only get a technical ROTC, 51 Army Junior ROTC, 38 Navy education,” he said, “But greater than Junior ROTC and 43 Marine Corps that they also walk away with a solid Junior ROTC (dubbed the “All Services understanding of why cyber security is Division”). important to them personally and to the The All Services Division has already nation.” begun competition for Round 1, with SAIC is one of the CyberPatriot’s Round 2 slated to begin November 6, many sponsors. The presenting sponsor 2010. The Open Division will dive into is Northrup-Grumman, a commercial the competition head-first on November entity that provides cyber security to 13, 2010. government and enterprises. Additional The contest is held online and utilizes sponsors include Raytheon, General patent-pending Science Applications Dynamics, CIAS at University of Texas International Corporation (SAIC) at San Antonio, Microsoft, AT&T and CyberNEXS cyber security net-based the Air Force Research Laboratory. managing tools to create a “live” cyber The competition will continue until environment. Using this SAIC program, the winning teams finally meet together in students must maintain specific critical the National Finals in Washington D.C. Continued from page 33 availability of our personal information services and tasks while simultaneously at the beginning of April 2011. Contest responding in turn to real-world hacker winners will be awarded scholarships. “[Cyber systems] are the backbone of on the Internet,” Skoch said. “Safe cyber attacks on the system. CyberNEXS offers “By the end of this years competition, our national defense, they are the back- practices can help protect us against all of cyber training, exercising, competition we’ll have begun to start planning for bone of our entire economy, the backbone that.” and certification for protecting critical CyberPatriot III…it’s like the Superbowl,” of public safety systems, of medical Skoch is concerned about the vulner- data assets. Skoch said. “It takes great preparation, systems, air traffic control systems,” said ability of our nation and along with the SAIC is a scientific, engineering and hard work and there is a great honor in Skoch. “Every aspect of our lives in the AFA is trying to fix those problems by technology applications business that winning.” United States today is linked very closely asking today’s technology-oriented youth uses deep domain knowledge to solve to cyber systems.” to help defend cyber space in our country Bary Alyssa Johnson covers the Larchmont vitally important problems posed to the Commissioner Skoch insists that through CyberPatriot. and Mamaroneck beat, as well as the nation and the world, in national secu- education and public awareness are enor- The CyberPatriot program currently evolving world of electronics and technology. rity, energy and the environment, critical mously important to the general public. has 675 teams registered to compete infrastructure, and health, according to “The episodes of identity theft, in this year’s event. Teams hail from the company Web site. financial fraud, are exacerbated by the 186 public high schools (dubbed the TRUTH AND JUSTICE Republican Candidate for Attorney General Dan Donovan: How Does He Measure Up? By Jeffrey Deskovic The New York State Bar Association, the field and a number of exonerees. Nominee for State Attorney General, a be elected, that he would in fact create in light of New York’s wrongful conviction Following several hearings that were held long time advocate of legislative reforms an “Actual Innocence Unit” within the problem, conducted an exhaustive study in different parts of the state, the Bar designed to prevent wrongful convictions, Attorney General’s office, which, in of 52 DNA and non-DNA cases. They Associated generated a comprehensive openly expressed his support for the Bar keeping with a prosecutor’s mandate to then issued a preliminary report recom- final report. Based upon the collective Associations reforms, many of which had “prosecute the guilty mending proposed legislative reforms and input, they drafted a number of legislative been the subject of his prior legislative and protect the innocent,” would calling for a conference inviting outside proposals intended to reform those areas proposals. investigate serious claims of innocence agencies including the District Attorney’s which have contributed to wrongful pros- As a candidate for Attorney General, despite conviction. Association Of The State Of New York, ecutions and convictions. not only has he endorsed the Bar Having been invited to the hearings, The Innocence Project, a number of State Senator Eric Schneiderman, Association’s Proposals, but he has taken and, having expressed strong opposition prominent attorney’s and advocates in who is running as the Democratic a step further, having vowed, should he Continued on page 35 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010 Page 35 TRUTH AND JUSTICE Continued from page 34 a remedy & the court must then instruct no penalties at all, responded, “I don’t finality. In terms of the cost, as a society to the proposals at those hearings, the the jury that it should consider the failure think there is a case where there is no how much money should be willing to District Attorneys Association of The to make a recording as an adverse fact” penalty at all, but you’re right, absolutely, spend out of our tax dollars for an inno- State of New York, of which Republican Additionally, on scene police officers if somebody is responsible, if somebody cent person’s freedom? Nominee Dan Donovan was President have the option of using video equipment in authority is so responsible for impris- S7842 addressed misidentification, until July of 2009 and Chairman of the that is now standard equipment in most oning somebody because they failed to, or which has caused 75% of the wrongful Board until July 2010, then on June 15, police cruisers. intentionally withheld, we have to be real convictions. The Association objections 2010 released a “Memo In Opposition” to S7868 addressed Exoneree careful here,” he then went on to discuss were that the new procedures were tech- the following 6 bills proposed by the Bar Compensation. The Association lodged the various levels of misconduct that nicalities which would trigger expensive Association’s report. Seeking clarification an objection that defendants who have might be encountered. litigation; that videotaping witness identi- from Donovan in light of the Association, pleaded guilty or confessed could then It is disheartening that Donovan does fications will hinder cooperation, and that The Guardian arranged to interview sue for compensation which would lead not distance himself from the Association’s New York State Law Enforcement has Mr. Donovan, thus giving him opportu- to expensive litigation. When questioned position, which suggests that if elected he recently adopted, “fair, reliable and robust nity to clarify his position on a number by The Guardian whether he thought would resist legislative efforts to address identification guidelines.” These objec- of the issues and in fairness to him as a that an innocent person, irrespective of Brady violations. He does deserve credit tions don’t stand up to scrutiny. Firstly, candidate. whether their conviction came about for agreeing in concept to the criminal- the improved procedures are not techni- S7877/A5213a pertaining to Video through false confession or guilty plea, ization of prosecutorial misconduct, and calities, but instead are measures arrived Taping Of Interrogations, intended to should be compensated for their wrongful I agree that the penalties for such should at after carefully studies of misidenti- address the fact that 25% of wrongful incarceration, Donovan expressed vary according to what is withheld, fications aimed at increasing accuracy. convictions are caused by false confes- concern that people would intentionally though all such intentional withholding Secondly, the expensive litigation will sions. Recording custodial interrogations falsely confess in order to then be able to should have some form of punishment. be avoided if the procedures are done in sue. He didn’t think it was ridiculous to Nonetheless, his statement that he doesn’t of those accused of serious crimes protects compliance with the law. Thirdly, legisla- believe that someone would intentionally think ‘that there is such a case where there both the accused and the police, because it tion is needed in order to mandate that subject themselves to wrongful imprison- is no punishment’ would tend to undercut negates any false allegations by either side, the best practices are implemented; it is ment and all of its horrors. Pressed further his credibility. Mr. Donovan knows very and it makes for more reliable evidence. naïve to think that all police jurisdictions with a question that referenced that the well there are no incarcerative penalties One specific objection lodged by the will voluntarily do so. If they would, it average length of wrongful incarcera- and that a Bar Administration reprimand Association, and specifically echoed by would have happened already. tion is 13 years, he responded by saying, is no more than a slap on the wrist, and Donovan was the issue of cost to the state “Maybe it would be less than that. Maybe furthermore is rarely carried out thus S7873 addressed informant testimony and that it was an unfunded mandate. it would be 3 ½ years.” having no deterrent effect. and situations in which a witness receives However, that objection should have Anyone who has been wrongfully S7867 addressed 440/Post a benefit in exchange for testimony- a resulted in a request for funding alloca- imprisoned should be compensated Conviction DNA Testing After Guilty cause of wrongful convictions in 15% of tion in the bill, not opposing the bill for pain and suffering, lost wages and Plea, in light of the fact that of 261 DNA the cases. altogether. impacted future wages, mental health proven wrongful convictions nationwide, Dan Donovan, and the District Another objection lodged by the costs associated with the experience, and involved 21 actually innocent individuals, Attorneys Association essentially want Association, and reiterated by Donovan any number of additional factors. The who nevertheless had pleaded guilty for a the criminal justice system to remain concerned itself with on the scene inter- state, having wrongfully convicted some- variety of coercive reasons. virtually unchanged, despite an alarming rogations by police, for example locating body, should pick up the tab. Donovan’s The Association lodged a two fold rate of wrongful convictions caused victims, weapons, and sectioning off position simply doesn’t square either with objection: the cost, and closure/finality of by well known systemic deficiencies crime scenes, all of which were covered by the facts or fundamental justice. Denying conviction unnecessarily without a defen- whose legislative reforms, supported by contingencies included the bill: compensation furthers an injury already dant making a showing that a DNA test mountains of evidence and research are “The prosecution may rebut the suffered. could prove their innocence. However, urgently needed. Rather than focusing presumption: (1) through clear and S7893 addressed exculpatory evidence/ the language of the bill already states that: on ways to bring about such reforms, the convincing evidence the statement was Brady/Discovery, aimed at the problem of “Changes (lowers) the legal standard District Attorneys Association and Mr. voluntary, (2) if the statement is inculpa- prosecutors withholding evidence helpful for a court to grant forensic DNA testing Donovan would appear to be stalling; tory and not made under circumstances to the defense, which the law mandates of any crime scene evidence. The standard at points digging in their heels in hopes creating a substantial risk that the defen- be turned over. At it’s essence, the DA’s would be changed to “if a DNA test had of maintaining the status quo. In fact, dant might falsely incriminate himself, Association is resistant to turning over been conducted on such evidence, and if when the Senate Codes Committee, (3) exigent circumstances, (4) the accused information tending to affirm the inno- exculpatory results had been available to chaired by Schneiderman, passed the refused to have the interrogation elec- cence of the accused or otherwise protect the defendant for pretrial proceedings or Bar Association’s recommendations, the tronically recorded and the refusal itself their Constitutional Rights. post trial procedures or admitted at a trial District Attorneys Association flexed its was electronically recorded; or (5) the While candidate Donovan did not resulting in the judgment, there exists a muscle and pushed back so strongly that failure to electronically record an entire disclaim his Association’s position; and in reasonable possibility (vs. probability) that the legislation was not even brought to interrogation was the result of equipment response to a question of a whether in a the verdict or other proceedings or proce- the floor. failure and obtaining replacement equip- clear cut case of prosecutorial misconduct dures would have been more favorable to Anyone concerned with wrongful ment was not feasible. in the form of withholding exculpatory the defendant.” convictions and fundamental justice The court may admit an unre- evidence, whether he “would support Therefore the concern of the rele- cannot afford to have Dan Donovan as corded statement if it believes, based on a criminalization of such conduct in order vance had already been taken into account the New York State Attorney General. showing of good cause by the people, that to deter some rogue prosecutors who and thus that part of the objection would suppression of the statement is too harsh otherwise would break the law resulting appear to be an excuse. Turning to finality in wrongful convictions and receiving of conviction, accuracy is more than Page 36 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010 LEGAL NOTICES Seo Media LLC Articles of Org. filed SUMMONS AND NOTICE OF OBJECT OF ACTION STATE OF NEW YORK SUMMONS AND NOTICE OF OBJECT OF ACTION ACTION TO FORECLOSE A MORTGAGE STATE OF NEW YORK SU- NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 5/5/2010. SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER ACTION TO FORECLOSE PREME COURT: COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER CITIMORTGAGE, INC. Plaintiff, vs. MALONEY, THOMAS MALONEY, ET, AL. Office in Westchester Co. SSNY A MORTGAGE INDEX NO.: 2112/10 WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. Plaintiff, vs. Defendant(s). TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT: INDEX NO.: 8775/10 MORTGAGED PREMISES: 86 ONONDAGA design. Agent of LLC upon whom EILEEN MYERS A/K/A EILEEN MEYERS A/K/A EILEEN LIEBERMAN A/K/A STREET YONKERS, NY 10704 SBL #:6-6403-23 You are hereby summoned to answer the Complaint in this action, and EILEEN LIERMAN, JAMES MYERS, THOMAS K. BURNISTON, ESQ, DIANE process may be served. SSNY shall to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, BRAUN HANLEY, ESQ, JEMAB FAMILY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AKA JEMAA on the Plaintiff(s) attorney(s) within twenty days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or mail copy of process to C/O Michael FAMILY LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, JORGE LUZQUINOS, ET, AL. Defendant(s). Rossi 44 Loop Road Bedford, NY within 30 days after the service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New MORTGAGED PREMISES: 1415 MAIN STREET PEEKSKILL, NY 10566 SBL #: York). In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded 10506. Purpose: Any lawful activity. 33.6-8-21 TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT: You are hereby summoned in the Complaint. The Attorney for Plaintiff has an office for business in the County of Erie. Trial to be held in the County Registered Agent: Michael Rossi 44 to answer the Complaint in this action, and to serve a copy of your answer, Loop Road Bedford, NY 10506. or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of ap- of Westchester. The basis of the venue designated above is the location of the Mortgaged Premises. Dated this 4th day pearance, on the Plaintiff(s) attorney(s) within twenty days after the service of October, 2010, TO: THOMAS MALONEY, Defendant(s) In this Action. The foregoing Summons is served upon you by Notice of Formation of Limited Li- of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the publication, pursuant to an order of HON. ORAZIO BELLANTONI of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, dated ability Company (LLC): Name: The service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the 13th day of September, 2010 and filed with the Complaint in the Office of the Westchester County Clerk, in the City Liberty Blue Group, LLC. Articles of the State of New York). In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment of White Plains. The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage upon the premises described below, executed Organization filed With the Secre- will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. by MARISA MALONEY and THOMAS MALONEY dated the 26th day of October, 2006 to secure the sum of $417,000.00, tary of State of New York (SSNY) on The Attorney for Plaintiff has an office for business in the County of Erie. Trial and recorded at Instrument No. 463180700 in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Westchester, on the 22nd day of 09/24/2010. Office location: West- to be held in the County of Westchester. The basis of the venue designated December, 2006; which mortgage was duly assigned by assignment dated the 25th day of March, 2010, and sent for chester County. SSNY has been above is the location of the Mortgaged Premises. Dated this 6th day of Octo- recording in the Office of the Clerk of Westchester County. The property in question is described as follows: 86 ONON- designated as agent of the LLC ber, 2010, TO: JORGE LUZQUINOS, Defendant(s) In this Action. The foregoing DAGA STREET, YONKERS, NY 10704 SEE FOLLOWING DESCRIPTION Section 6, block 6403 and Lot 23 ALL that certain upon whom process against it may Summons is served upon you by publication, pursuant to an order of HON. plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the City of be served. SSNY shall mail copy of ORAZIO R. BELLANTONI of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, dated Yonkers, County of Westchester and State of New York, designated as Plot No. 8, in Block “C” on a certain Map entitled process to: C/O The Liberty Blue the 15th day of September, 2010 and filed with the Complaint in the Office “Revised Map of Seminary Park, being a portion of the former Estate of William J. Pease, City of Yonkers, Westchester Group, LLC, 265 Old Mamaroneck of the Westchester County Clerk, in the City of White Plains. The object of County, New York”, dated February 17, 1940 and filed in the Office of the County Clerk of Westchester County, (Divi- Road, White Plains, NY 10605. Pur- this action is to foreclose a mortgage upon the premises described below, sion of Land Records) on February 20, 1940, as Map No. 5105 and which said Plot is more particularly bounded and pose: Any Lawful Purpose. Latest executed by EILEEN MYERS A/K/A EILEEN MEYERS A/K/A EILEEN LIEBER- described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the Westerly side of Onondaga Street, where the same is intersected by MAN A/K/A EILEEN LIERMAN, dated the 16th day of April, 1999, to secure date upon which LLC is to dissolve: the division line between Lot Nos. 7 and 8 in Block “C” on said Map, said point being also distant 275.00 feet Northerly No Specific date. the sum of $59,800.00, and recorded at Liber 25963 of Mortgages at Page 251 in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Westchester, on the 11th day of measured along the Westerly side of Onondaga Street from the corner formed by the intersection of the Northerly side NEW GENERATION AUTO CARE August, 1999; which mortgage was duly assigned by assignment dated the of Pace Avenue with the Westerly side of Onondaga Street; RUNNING THENCE along said division line between Lot LLC Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY 24th day of March, 2009, and recorded on the 22nd day of April, 2009, in the Nos. 7 and 8 in Block “C” South 81 degrees 17 minutes 30 seconds West, 100.00 feet to the Easterly line of Lot No. 17 in 10/4/2010. Off. Loc.: Westchester Office of the Clerk of Westchester County at Instrument No. 491040637; The Block “C” on said map; THENCE along the same and along the Easterly line of Lot No. 16 in Block “C” North 08 degrees Cnty. SSNY designated as agent of property in question is described as follows: 1415 MAIN STREET, PEEKSKILL, 42 minutes 30 seconds West, 50.00 feet to the division line of Lot Nos. 8 and 9 in Block “C” on said map; THENCE along LLC whom process may be served. NY 10566 SEE FOLLOWING DESCRIPTION Section 33.6, Block 8 and Lot 21 said division line between Lot Nos. 8 and 9 in Block “C” North 81 degrees 17 minutes 30 seconds East, 100.00 feet to the SSNY shall mail process to: c/o The ALL that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improve- Westerly side of Onondaga Street; THENCE along the Westerly side of Onondaga Street South 08 degrees 42 minutes LLC, 210 Webster Ave., New Ro- ments thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the City of Peekskill, County 30 seconds East, 50.00 feet to the point or place of BEGINNING. Premises known as 86 Onondaga Street, Yonkers, chelle, NY 10801. Purpose: all lawful of Westchester and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: New York HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS IN FORECLOSURE NEW YORK STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT WE SEND YOU THIS activities. BEGINNING on the South side of Main Street where the same is intersected NOTICE ABOUT THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY. SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT YOU by the Easterly line of land now or formerly of Herskowitz, said point being ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME. IF YOU FAIL TO RESPOND TO THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT IN THIS Notice of Formation of a Limited Li- distant 193.28 feet Easterly along Main Street from the Southeast corner of FORECLOSURE ACTION, YOU MAY LOSE YOUR HOME. PLEASE READ THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT CAREFULLY. ability Company (LLC): Name: Pink Main Street and Charles Streets; RUNNING THENCE along Main Street, North YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CONTACT AN ATTORNEY OR YOUR LOCAL LEGAL AID OFFICE TO OBTAIN ADVICE ON Lotus Consulting LLC, Articles of 80 degrees 30 minutes 40 seconds East, 36 feet to lands now or formerly of HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF. SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE The state encourages you to become Organization filed with the Secre- Riley; THENCE along the same, South 09 degrees 29 minutes 20 seconds East, tary of State of New York (SSNY) on informed about your options in foreclosure. In addition to seeking assistance from an attorney or legal aid office, there 100 feet to lands now or formerly of Clark; THENCE along the same, South 80 are government agencies and non-profit organizations that you may contact for information about possible options, 09/27/2010. Office location: West- degrees 30 minutes 40 seconds West, 35 feet to lands conveyed to Herskowitz including trying to work with your lender during this process. To locate an entity near you, you may call the toll- chester County. SSNY has been on the 3rd day of November, 1924; THENCE along the same, North 10 degrees designated as agent of the LLC 04 minutes West, 100.01 feet to the point or place of BEGINNING. Premises free helpline maintained by the New York State Banking Department at 1-877-BANK-NYS (1-877-226-5697) or visit the upon whom process against it may known as 1415 Main Street, Peekskill, New York HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS department’s website at WWW.BANKING.STATE.NY.US. FORECLOSURE RESCUE SCAMS Be careful of people who be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of IN FORECLOSURE NEW YORK STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT WE SEND YOU approach you with offers to “save” your home. There are individuals who watch for notices of foreclosure actions in process to: C/O Pink Lotus Consult- THIS NOTICE ABOUT THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS. PLEASE READ IT CARE- order to unfairly profit from a homeowner’s distress. You should be extremely careful about any such promises and ing LLC, 2 Canfield Avenue Apt 724, FULLY. SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR any suggestions that you pay them a fee or sign over your deed. State law requires anyone offering such services for White Plains, NY 10601. Purpose: HOME. IF YOU FAIL TO RESPOND TO THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT IN profit to enter into a contract which fully describes the services they will perform and fees they will charge, and which Any Lawful Purpose. THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION, YOU MAY LOSE YOUR HOME. PLEASE READ prohibits them from taking any money from you until they have completed all such promised services. § 1303 NOTICE THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT CAREFULLY. YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving Eventastic Parties LLC Articles of CONTACT AN ATTORNEY OR YOUR LOCAL LEGAL AID OFFICE TO OBTAIN a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) ADVICE ON HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF. SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney 9/15/2010. Office in Westchester ASSISTANCE The state encourages you to become informed about your op- or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon tions in foreclosure. In addition to seeking assistance from an attorney or whom process may be served. property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY legal aid office, there are government agencies and non-profit organizations SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE SSNY shall mail copy of process that you may contact for information about possible options, including trying Anna Cuneo 54 Forest Lake Drive ANSWER WITH THE COURT. DATED: October 4, 2010 Steven J. Baum, P.C., Attorney(s) For Plaintiff(s), 220 Northpointe to work with your lender during this process. To locate an entity near you, Parkway Suite G, Amherst, NY 14228 The law firm of Steven J. Baum, P.C. and the attorneys whom it employs are West Harrison, NY 10604. Purpose: you may call the toll-free helpline maintained by the New York State Bank- debt collectors who are attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained by them will be used for that purpose. Any lawful activity. ing Department at 1-877-BANK-NYS (1-877-226-5697) or visit the department’s website at WWW.BANKING.STATE.NY.US. FORECLOSURE RESCUE SCAMS Notice of Formation of a Limited Li- Be careful of people who approach you with offers to “save” your home. ability Company (LLC): TRAVELKIN. There are individuals who watch for notices of foreclosure actions in order to COM, LLC, Articles of Organization unfairly profit from a homeowner’s distress. You should be extremely careful Notice of Formation of JUDAH mail copy of process to C/O Michael West Square Foods, LLC Articles of filed with the Secretary of New York about any such promises and any suggestions that you pay them a fee or sign PLACE LLC Articles of Organization Rossi 44 Loop Road Bedford, NY Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) (SSNY) on 6/02/2010. Office loca- over your deed. State law requires anyone offering such services for profit to filed with the Secretary of State of 10506. Purpose: Any lawful activity. 10/8/2010. Office in Westchester Co. tion: Westchester County. SSNY enter into a contract which fully describes the services they will perform and NY (SSNY) on 9/16/2010. NY Office Registered Agent: Michael Rossi 44 SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon has been designated as agent of the fees they will charge, and which prohibits them from taking any money from location: WESTCHESTER County. Loop Road Bedford, NY 10506 whom process may be served. SSNY LLC upon whom process against it you until they have completed all such promised services. § 1303 NOTICE NO- SSNY is designated as agent upon shall mail copy of process C/O Stan- may be served. SSNY shall mail a TICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to whom process against the LLC may Bevinco On The Hudson LLC Articles ley Chin P.O. Box 956 Bronxville, NY copy of the process to TRAVELKIN. this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 10708. Purpose: Any lawful activity. COM, 50 Barker Street, Apt 336, for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you any process against the LLC served 7/6/2010. Office in Westchester Co. Mount Kisco, NY 10549. Purpose: and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and upon him/her C/O JUDAH PLACE SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon Twenty Ten Foods, LLC Articles of any lawful business activity. you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your LLC, 117 Broad Street, East, Mount whom process may be served. SSNY Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and Vernon, NY 10552. Purpose: Any shall mail copy of process to The LLC 10/8/2010. Office in Westchester Co. Im Ip Law PLLC Articles of Org. filed lawful act. 112 Hillcrest Avenue Yonkers, NY SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 9/22/2010. protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF 10705. Purpose: Any lawful activity whom process may be served. SSNY Office in Westchester Co. SSNY Elegran LLC Articles of Org. filed shall mail copy of process C/O Stan- design. Agent of PLLC upon whom THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COM- PANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. DATED: October 6, 2010 NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 1/22/2008. ley Chin P.O. Box 956 Bronxville, NY process may be served. SSNY shall Office in Westchester Co. SSNY 10708. Purpose: Any lawful activity. mail copy of process The PLLC 61 Steven J. Baum, P.C., Attorney(s) For Plaintiff(s), 220 Northpointe Parkway Suite G, Amherst, NY 14228 The law firm of Steven J. Baum, P.C. and the at- design. Agent of LLC upon whom Broadway, Suite 513 New York, NY process may be served. SSNY shall 10022. Purpose: Any lawful activity. torneys whom it employs are debt collectors who are attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained by them will be used for that purpose. The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010 Page 37 LEGAL NOTICES SUMMONS AND NOTICE OF OBJECT OF ACTION STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER SUMMONS AND NOTICE OF OBJECT OF ACTION ACTION TO FORECLOSE A MORTGAGE STATE OF NEW YORK SU- ACTION TO FORECLOSE A MORTGAGE INDEX NO.: 27408/09 HSBC MORTGAGE CORPORATION (USA) Plaintiff, vs. PREME COURT: COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER M&T BANKPlaintiff, vs. CLAUDE MOWATT, CHRISTOPHER MOWATT, ET, BENNY FRANCIS, LISA MARY AUGUSTINE A/K/A LISA FRANCIS-AUGUSTINE, K.M. KURIAKOSE, ET, AL. Defendant(s). AL. (s). TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT: INDEX NO.: 25365/09 MORTGAGED PREMISES: 63 VALERIE DRIVE YON- MORTGAGED PREMISES: 83 CRESTHILL ROAD YONKERS, NY 10710 SBL #: 4-4652-66, 4-4652-67, 4-4652-248 TO THE KERS, NY 10703 SBL #:3-3417-32 You are hereby summoned to answer the Complaint in this action, and to serve a copy ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT: You are hereby summoned to answer the Complaint in this action, and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff(s) of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff(s) attorney(s) within twenty days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after attorney(s) within twenty days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York). In case of your the service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York). In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. The failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. The Attorney for Plaintiff has an office for business in the County of Erie. Trial to be held in the County of Westchester. The Attorney for Plaintiff has an office for business in the County of Erie. Trial to be held in the County of Westchester. The basis of the venue designated above is the location of the Mortgaged Premises. Dated this 4th day of October, 2010, basis of the venue designated above is the location of the Mortgaged Premises. Dated this 27th day of September, 2010, TO: CHRISTOPHER MOWATT, Defendant(s) In this Action. The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication, TO: K.M. KURIAKOSE, Defendant(s) In this Action. The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication, pursu- pursuant to an order of HON. ORAZIO BELLANTONI of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, dated the 13th day ant to an order of HON. ORAZIO R. BELLANTONI, of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, dated the 7th day of of September, 2010and filed with the Complaint in the Office of the Westchester County Clerk, in the City of White Plains. September, 2010 and filed with the Complaint in the Office of the Westchester County Clerk, in the City of White Plains. The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage upon the premises described below, executed by CLAUDE MOWATT The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage upon the premises described below, executed by LISA MARY AU- and CHRISTOPHER MOWATT dated the 3rd day of August, 2006, to secure the sum of $463,200.00, and recorded at GUSTINE A/K/A LISA FRANCIS-AUGUSTINE and BENNY FRANCIS dated the 12th day of January, 2004, to secure the Instrument No. 462410116 in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Westchester, on the 15th day of September, 2006; which mortgage was duly assigned by assignment dated the 13th day of October, 2009, and sent for recording in the sum of $120,000.00, and recorded at Instrument No. 441171039 in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Westchester, Office of the Clerk of Westchester County. The property in question is described as follows: 63 VALERIE DRIVE, YON- on the 20th day of July, 2004; that the Plaintiff is also the holder of a mortgage in the amount of $130,000.00, which was KERS, NY 10703 SEE FOLLOWING DESCRIPTION Section 3, Block 3417 and Lot 32 ALL that certain plot, piece or parcel dated the 11th day of November, 2005 and recorded the 23rd day of May, 2006 at Instrument Number 461280210, which of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the City of Yonkers, County of by its terms consolidates with the mortgage referred to at Instrument Number 441171039 to form a single lien in the Westchester, State of New York, shown and designated as Lot No. 32, on a certain entitled, “Section II, Subdivision Map amount of $250,000.00; The property in question is described as follows: 83 CRESTHILL ROAD, YONKERS, NY 10710 SEE of Property of Odell Development Corp., situated in the City of Yonkers, Westchester County, New York,” made by Senor FOLLOWING DESCRIPTION Section 4, Block 4652 and Lot 66, 67 & 248 ALL that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with and Burney, Surveyors, dated February 15, 1962 and filed in the Office of the County Clerk, Division of Land Records, the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the City of Yonkers, County of Westchester, formerly Register’s Office of Westchester County, New York on May 25, 1962 as Map No. 13325, said lot being more and State of New York, designated as Lots 8, 9, and 10 in Block K on Map entitled, “Section No.1 Brook Farm, situate in particularly bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the Westerly side of Valerie Drive where the the City of Yonkers, Westchester County, New York, August 13, 1926, William Smith, C.E.” filed August, 19, 1926 as Map same is intersected by the division line between Lot Nos. 32 and 33 as shown on said map; RUNNING THENCE from said No. 3026 in Westchester County Clerk’s Office, Division of Land Records, (formerly Register’ s Office), which said Lots point of beginning along the Westerly side of Valerie Drive in a Southerly direction on a curve to the left having a radius are more particularly bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the Southwesterly side of Cresthill of 50.00 feet a distance of 11.98 feet the division line between Lot Nos. 31 and 32 on said map; THENCE along the last Road distant 820.82 feet Southwesterly and Westerly as measured along the Southwesterly side of Cresthill Road from mentioned division line South 80 degrees 29 minutes 56 seconds West, 48.99 feet to a point; THENCE continuing along the extreme Southwesterly end of the arc of a curve connecting the said Southwesterly side of Cresthill Road with the said division line and part of the way through a party wall South 37 degrees 40 minutes 12 seconds West, 94.18 feet to the Southwesterly side of Alta Vista Drive; RUNNING THENCE South 36 degrees 32 minutes 00 seconds West, 105.48 feet; Northerly boundary line of land designated on said map as, “Now or formerly 16 Bellevue Ave.”; THENCE along the last THENCE North 53 degrees 38 minutes 00 seconds West, 75.00 feet; THENCE North 36 degrees 32 minutes 00 seconds mentioned boundary line North 68 degrees 49 minutes 16 seconds West, 16.97 feet to the Easterly boundary line of land East, 105.70 feet to the Southwesterly side of Cresthill Road; THENCE along the Southwesterly side of Cresthill Road, designated on said map as “Greystone in Westchester”; THENCE along the last mentioned boundary line North 11 de- South 53 degrees 28 minutes 00 seconds East, 75.00 feet to the point or place of BEGINNING. Premises known as 83 grees 49 minutes 37 seconds East, 110.00 feet to the division line between Lot Nos. 32 and 33 on said map; THENCE along Cresthill Road, Yonkers, New York HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS IN FORECLOSURE NEW YORK STATE LAW REQUIRES the last mentioned division line of the following two courses and distances: 1. South 78 degrees 10 minutes 23 seconds THAT WE SEND YOU THIS NOTICE ABOUT THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY. SUMMONS East, 90.00 feet; 2. South 85 degrees 46 minutes East, 10.53 feet to the point or place of BEGINNING. Premises known as AND COMPLAINT YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME. IF YOU FAIL TO RESPOND TO THE SUMMONS 63 Valerie Drive, Yonkers, New York HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS IN FORECLOSURE NEW YORK STATE LAW REQUIRES AND COMPLAINT IN THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION, YOU MAY LOSE YOUR HOME. PLEASE READ THE SUMMONS THAT WE SEND YOU THIS NOTICE ABOUT THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY. SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT CAREFULLY. YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CONTACT AN ATTORNEY OR YOUR LOCAL LEGAL AID AND COMPLAINT YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME. IF YOU FAIL TO RESPOND TO THE SUMMONS AND OFFICE TO OBTAIN ADVICE ON HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF. SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE The COMPLAINT IN THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION, YOU MAY LOSE YOUR HOME. PLEASE READ THE SUMMONS AND COM- state encourages you to become informed about your options in foreclosure. In addition to seeking assistance from PLAINT CAREFULLY. YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CONTACT AN ATTORNEY OR YOUR LOCAL LEGAL AID OFFICE TO an attorney or legal aid office, there are government agencies and non-profit organizations that you may contact for OBTAIN ADVICE ON HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF. SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE The state encour- information about possible options, including trying to work with your lender during this process. To locate an entity ages you to become informed about your options in foreclosure. In addition to seeking assistance from an attorney or near you, you may call the toll-free helpline maintained by the New York State Banking Department at 1-877-BANK-NYS legal aid office, there are government agencies and non-profit organizations that you may contact for information about (1-877-226-5697) or visit the department’s website at WWW.BANKING.STATE.NY.US. FORECLOSURE RESCUE SCAMS possible options, including trying to work with your lender during this process. To locate an entity near you, you may Be careful of people who approach you with offers to “save” your home. There are individuals who watch for notices call the toll-free helpline maintained by the New York State Banking Department at 1-877-BANK-NYS (1-877-226-5697) or of foreclosure actions in order to unfairly profit from a homeowner’s distress. You should be extremely careful about visit the department’s website at WWW.BANKING.STATE.NY.US. FORECLOSURE RESCUE SCAMS Be careful of people any such promises and any suggestions that you pay them a fee or sign over your deed. State law requires anyone of- who approach you with offers to “save” your home. There are individuals who watch for notices of foreclosure actions fering such services for profit to enter into a contract which fully describes the services they will perform and fees they in order to unfairly profit from a homeowner’s distress. You should be extremely careful about any such promises and will charge, and which prohibits them from taking any money from you until they have completed all such promised any suggestions that you pay them a fee or sign over your deed. State law requires anyone offering such services for profit to enter into a contract which fully describes the services they will perform and fees they will charge, and which services. § 1303 NOTICE NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons prohibits them from taking any money from you until they have completed all such promised services. § 1303 NOTICE and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORT- property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY GAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. DATED: September 27, 2010 Steven J. Baum, P.C., SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE Attorney(s) For Plaintiff(s), 220 Northpointe Parkway Suite G, Amherst, NY 14228 The law firm of Steven J. Baum, P.C. ANSWER WITH THE COURT. DATED: October 4, 2010 Steven J. Baum, P.C. Attorney(s) For Plaintiff(s) 220 Northpointe and the attorneys whom it employs are debt collectors who are attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained Parkway Suite G Amherst, NY 14228 The law firm of Steven J. Baum, P.C. and the attorneys whom it employs are debt by them will be used for that purpose. collectors who are attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained by them will be used for that purpose. WEST C HESTER GUARDIAN MISSION STATEMENT The Westchester Guardian is a weekly newspaper devoted to the unbiased reporting of events and developments that are newsworthy and significant to readers living in, and/or employed in, Westchester County. The Guardian will strive to report fairly, and objectively, reliable information without favor or compromise. Our First duty will be to the PEOPLE’S RIGHT TO KNOW, by the exposure of truth, without fear or hesitation, no matter where the pursuit may lead, in the Finest tradition of FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. The Guardian will cover news and events relevant to residents and businesses all over Westchester County. As a weekly, rather than focusing on the immediacy of delivery more associated with daily journals, we will instead seek to provide the broader, more comprehensive, chronological step-by-step accounting of events, enlightened with analysis, where appropriate. From amongst journalism’s classic keywords: who, what, when, where, why, and how, the why and how will drive our pursuit. We will use our more abundant time, and our resources, to get past the initial ‘spin’ and ‘damage control’ often characteristic of immediate news releases, to reach the very heart of the matter: the truth. We will take our readers to a point of understanding and insight which cannot be obtained elsewhere. To succeed, we must recognize from the outset that bigger is not necessarily better. And, furthermore, we will acknowledge that we cannot be all things to all readers. We must carefully balance the presentation of relevant, hard-hitting, Westchester news and commentary, with features and columns useful in daily living and employment in, and around, the county. We must stay trim and exible if we are to succeed. Page 38 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010 LEGAL NOTICES SUMMONS AND NOTICE OF OBJECT OF ACTION ACTION TO FORECLOSE A MORTGAGE STATE OF NEW YORK SU- SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS NOTICE OF SALE PREME COURT: COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER CHASE HOME FINANCE, LLC Plaintiff, vs. ISAIAS ORTEGA, PEDRO G. Index No.: 2687-10 GARCIA, ANGELICA ORTEGA, MELBIN RAMIREZ, ET,AL. Defendant(s). TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT: INDEX Date of Filing: September 22, 2010 SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NO.: 27406/09 MORTGAGED PREMISES: 278 MADISON AVENUE PORT CHESTER, NY 10573 SBL #:136.47-2-51 You are SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WESTCHESTER, DEUTSCHE BANK hereby summoned to answer the Complaint in this action, and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not COUNTY OF Westchester NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff(s) attorney(s) within twenty days after the BAC Home Loans Servicing, LP FKA Countrywide Home Loans Servicing LP, AS TRUSTEE, IN TRUST FOR THE service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Summons Plaintiff, REGISTERED HOLDERS OF AME- is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York). In case of your failure to appear or answer,judgment -against- RIQUEST MORTGAGE SECURI- will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. The Attorney for Plaintiff has an office JUDITH MANDUJANO; BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO; MORTGAGE TIES INC., ASSET -BACKED PASS for business in the County of Erie. Trial to be held in the County of Westchester. The basis of the venue designated ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. AS NOMINEE FOR COUN- THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES above is the location of the Mortgaged Premises. Dated this 20th day of September, 2010, TO: MELBIN RAMIREZ, TRYWIDE BANK FSB; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND 2003-AR2, Plaintiff, vs. DENNIS Defendant(s) In this Action. The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication, pursuant to an order of HON. FINANCE; NEW YORK STATE TAX COMMISSION; ELVIS R LOPEZ, if living, PAPA, ET AL., Defendant(s). RICHARD B. LIEBOWITZ of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, dated the 13th day of September, 2010 and or if either or all be dead, their wives, husbands, heirs-at-law, next of kin, filed with the Complaint in the Office of the Westchester County Clerk, in the City of White Plains. The object of this distributees, executors, administrators, assignees, lienors and generally Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclo- action is to foreclose a mortgage upon the premises described below, executed by ISAIAS ORTEGA and ANGELICA all persons having or claiming under, by or through said ELVIS R LOPEZ, by sure and Sale duly filed on August ORTEGA, dated the 12th day of May, 2006, to secure the sum of $400,800.00, and recorded at Instrument No. 461880930 purchase, inheritance, lien or otherwise, of any right, title or interest in and 24, 2010, I, the undersigned Ref- in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Westchester, on the 29th day of August,2006; the Plaintiff is also holder of a to the premises described in the complaint herein, and the respective hus- eree will sell at public auction at the mortgage bearing date the 3rd day of July, 2008 executed by ISAIAS ORTEGA, ANGELICA ORTEGA, PEDRO G. GARCIA bands, wives, widow or widowers of them, if any, all of whose names are un- Westchester County Courthouse, and MELBIN RAMIREZ to secure the sum of $101,994.08, and recorded at Instrument No. 482110655 in the Office of the known to plaintiff; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; “JOHN DOES” and “JANE Lobby, 111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Clerk of the County of Westchester, on the 7th day of August, 2008; said mortgage was modified or consolidated with DOES”, said names being fictitious, parties intended being possible tenants Boulevard, White Plains, NY on No- the mortgage referred to at Instrument No. 461880930 by a Consolidation, Extension and Modification Agreement dated or occupants of premises, and corporations, other entities or persons who vember 30, 2010 at 9:30 a.m., premis- the 3rd day of July, 2008 and recorded the 7th day of August, 2008 at Instrument No. 482110673 to form a single lien in claim, or may claim, a lien against the premises, Defendants. es known as 13 Timber Ridge, Mount the amount of $485,320.00;which mortgage was duly assigned by assignment dated the 4th day of November,2009, and TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS: Kisco, NY. All that certain plot, piece sent for recording in the Office of the Clerk of Westchester County; The property in question is described as follows: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to or parcel of land, with the buildings 278 MADISON AVENUE, PORTCHESTER, NY 10573 SEE FOLLOWING DESCRIPTION The property in question is de- serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this sum- and improvements thereon erected, scribed as follows: 278 MADISON AVENUE, PORT CHESTER, NY 10573 SEE FOLLOWING DESCRIPTION Section 136.47, mons, to serve a Notice of Appearance on the Plaintiff’s attorney(s) within situate, lying and being known as Block 2 and Lot 51 ALL that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, twenty (20) days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of ser- Unit No. 13 in the building known situate,lying and being in the Village of Port Chester, Town of Rye, County of Westchester and State of New York, de- vice, where service is made by delivery upon you personally within the State, as 2B in the Timber Ridge Condo- scribed as Lot 15 on a certain map entitled “Subdivision Map of Locust Woods, situated in the Village of PortChester, or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in minium in the Town of Mount Kisco Town of Rye, Westchester Co., NY. Dated July 17, 1959, made by Russell Munson, Surveyor, and filed in the Office of the any other manner, and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment and Town of New Castle, County of Westchester County Clerk(Division of Land Records) on September 11, 1959 as Map No. 12150. Said Lot is also more will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint. Westchester and State of New York, particularly bounded and described according to said map as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the Westerly side of NOTICE Section 80.73, Block 1 and Lot 8.13 Madison Avenue distant 205.72 feet Southerly from the corner formed by the intersection of the Westerly side of Madi- YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME and Section 82.19 Block 1 and Lot son Avenue with the Southerly side of Halstead Avenue. Said point of beginning also being the division line between Lot If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the 26.-13. Approximate amount of judg- 16 and Lot 15 as shown on the above-reference map; RUNNING THENCE along the Westerly side the following courses answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure ment is $304,407.86 plus interest and and distances: 1. South 13 degrees 32 minutes 30 seconds East, 55.71 feet; 2. South 26 degrees 03 minutes 40 seconds proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judg- costs together with an undivided East, 15.20 feet to the division line between Lot 15 and Lot 14 as shown on the above-referenced map;THENCE along ment may be entered and you can lose your home. 1.886 percent interest in the com- said division line South 63 degrees 56 minutes 20 seconds West,120.00 feet to the division line between Lot 15 and Lot Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further mon elements. Premises will be sold 3 as shown on the above-referenced map; THENCE along the division line between Lot 15 and 3 North 26 degrees 03 information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. subject to provisions of filed Judg- minutes 40 seconds West, 42.52 feet; THENCE continuing along the division line between Lot 15 and Lot 2 as shown on Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure ment Index # 13334/09. the above-referenced map,North 20 degrees 47 minutes 20 seconds West, 52.54 feet to the division line between Lot 15 action. and 14 as shown on the above referenced map; THENCE along said division line North 76 degrees 27 minutes 30 sec- YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTOR- John Perone, Esq., Referee Knuck- onds East, 130.35 feet to the Westerly side of Madison Avenue and the point or place of BEGINNING. Premises known NEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER les, Komosinski & Elliott, LLP, 565 as 278 Madison Avenue, Port Chester, New York HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS IN FORECLOSURE NEW YORK STATE LAW WITH THE COURT. Taxter Road, Ste. 590, Elmsford, NY REQUIRES THAT WE SEND YOU THIS NOTICE ABOUT THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY. YOU ARE HEREBY PUT ON NOTICE THAT WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT 10523, Attorneys for Plaintiff SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME. IF YOU FAIL TO RESPOND TO THE SUM- A DEBT, AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PUR- Foundry Productions, LLC Articles MONS AND COMPLAINT IN THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION, YOU MAY LOSE YOUR HOME. PLEASE READ THE SUM- POSE. of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) MONS AND COMPLAINT CAREFULLY. YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CONTACT AN ATTORNEY OR YOUR LOCAL LEGAL TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS: 9/29/2010. Office in Westchester Co. AID OFFICE TO OBTAIN ADVICE ON HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF. SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Or- SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon The state encourages you to become informed about your options in foreclosure. In addition to seeking assistance der of the Honorable William J. Giacomo of the Supreme Court of the State of whom process may be served. from an attorney or legal aid office, there are government agencies and non-profit organizations that you may contact New York, signed on September 13, 2010, and filed with supporting papers in SSNY shall mail copy of process C/O for information about possible options,including trying to work with your lender during this process. To locate an entity the Office of the Clerk of the County of Westchester, State of New York. Steven J. Wohl, ESQ. 1025 West- near you, you may call the toll-free helpline maintained by the New York State Banking Department at 1-877-BANK-NYS The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage upon the premises de- chester Avenue Suite 305 White (1-877-226-5697) or visit the department’s website at WWW.BANKING.STATE.NY.US. FORECLOSURE RESCUE SCAMS scribed below, executed by ELVIS R. LOPEZ to MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC Plains, NY 10604. Purpose: Any law- Be careful of people who approach you with offers to“save” your home. There are individuals who watch for notices of REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., AS NOMINEE FOR COUNTRYWIDE HOME ful activity. foreclosure actions in order to unfairly profit from a homeowner’s distress. You should be extremely careful about any LOANS, INC. DBA AMERICA`S WHOLESALE LENDER in the principal amount such promises and any suggestions that you pay them a fee or sign over your deed. State law requires anyone offer- of $504,000.00, which mortgage was recorded in Westchester County, State of 2165 LLC Articles of Org. filed NY ing such services for profit to enter into a contract which fully describes the services they will perform and fees they New York, on June 21, 2007, as CONTROL NUMBER 471650476. Thereafter said Sec. of State (SSNY) 5/29/2008. Of- will charge, and which prohibits them from taking any money from you until they have completed all such promised mortgage was assigned to Plaintiff by assignment of mortgage. fice in Westchester Co. SSNY de- services. § 1303 NOTICE NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons Said premises being known as and by 140 HALE AVE, WHITE PLAINS, NY sign. Agent of LLC upon whom pro- and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure 10605. cess may be served. SSNY shall mail proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your Date: April 9, 2010, Batavia, New York copy of process The LLC 580 Pine- home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer Laura Strauss, Esq., ROSICKI, ROSICKI & ASSOCIATES, P.C., brook Boulevard New Rochelle, NY the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure Attorneys for Plaintiff 10804. Purpose: Any lawful activity. action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORT- Batavia Office 26 Harvester Avenue, Batavia, NY 14020 585.815.0288 GAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. DATED: September 20, 2010 Steven J. Baum, P.C., Attorney(s) For Plaintiff(s), 220 Northpointe Parkway Suite G , Amherst,NY 14228 The law firm of Steven J. Baum, P.C. and the attorneys whom it employs are debt collectors who are attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained by them will be used for that purpose. • S pecial advertising opportunity • Just Paving & Masonry, inc. all tyPes of Paving & Masonry work done Special advertising opportunity 914.426.0359 Driveways • Patios Walkways • Walls • Etc...... for beginners for all small business. 1” high x • Get Fit Call Derek Teelan: • Build Self-Confi dence T. 914.376.5731 • C. 914.573.1426 2” wide notice @ $15 per week • Self Defense FREE ESTIMATES FULLY LICENSED & INSURED. for November and December. Join Our Classes Now LIC. 4039 YONKERS LIC WC 16447-H05 Men,Women, Children belmars.com 60 dartMouth ave., yonkers, ny 10701 Send in ad copy now! 5 PROSPECT AVE. • GROUND FL. • WHITE PLAINS The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, October 28, 2010 Page 39 Host your own Radio Show! New prime time avails on both Whitney stations! • Complete metro tri-state coverage! 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KEEP BillWestchester Edwards County Family Court Judge Competence A judge who Character delivers “real” Commitment justice to everyone Professional Experience: • Recipient Tyng Fellowship • Full-time Acting Westchester County • Recipient NAACP Legal Defense Fund Family Court Judge Scholarship 2007 - Present • Recipient Hugh Stewart Memorial • Full-time Acting Westchester County Humanitarian Award Court Judge 2007- Present. • Recipient NYC Partners in Education • Presides over New York State’s First Award Integrated Youth Court 2008 - Present Personal: • Acting Rockland County Family • Life-long Mount Vernon resident Court Judge 2009 - Present • Married to Helena R. Edwards • Mount Vernon City Court Judge 2003 • Father of 3 children (Jethro, Hillary - Present and Diana) • Presided over City of Mount Vernon Drug Treatment Former New York State Chief Judge, Judith Kaye wrote the Court 2003 - Present following regarding Judge Bill Edwards: “I merely wanted to • Former Supervising Attorney - Bronx Legal Services convey my high opinion of him, to you. During my own judicial • Former Managing Attorney - NYC Dept. of Housing service, he was assigned to preside over our frst Integrated Youth Preservation and Development Court, bringing before one (exceptional) judge both criminal and • Over 25 years of Litigation experience family court matters involving troubled youth. Obviously, that • Multiple court decisions published in NY Law Journal role requires special legal and human abilities. He was a great Education: choice in every respect.” • J. D. Columbia University School of Law • B. A. Williams College Awards: “Well Qualified”, Westchester Woman’s Bar Association Paid for by friends of Judge Bill Edwards • Contact Judge Bill Edwards Campaign at: [email protected] VOTE NOVEMBER 2, 2010 • VOTE 19B Republican and 19C Independence www.westchesterguardian.com