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Vol. VI, No. LII Thursday December 26, 2013 $1.00 Westchester’s Most Influential Weekly LARRY M. ELKIN NSA’s Press Release On “60 Minutes” Independence Party Page 6 EVAN LEVINE, M.D. Big Pharma Page 8

JOHN F. McMULLEN What Have We Become? Page 10 JOHN SIMON McPherson Finally Gets It Right Raid Page 12 LEE DANIELS Goes to Court Paris’ Moveable By Nancy King, Page 3 Feast Page 12 Merry Christmas One and All - Happy Kwanza - Happy New Year! Mayor MARY C. MARVIN Bronxville in Best The Past and the Future Financial Shape Egyptian-American Author Raymond Page 16 BOB K. BOGEN Ibrahim Analyzes Fundamentalism Stumble & Grumble By Sherif Awad, Page 4 or Make Elections Work Page 17 WWW.WESTCHESTERGUARDIAN.COM Page 26 The WesTchesTer Guardian ThursdaY, FeBruarY 23, 2012

CLASSIFIED ADS LEGAL NOTICES Office Space Available- FAMILY COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK Prime Location, Yorktown Heights COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER 1,000 Sq. Ft.: $1800. Contact Wilca: 914.632.1230 In the Matter of ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE SUMMONS AND INQUEST NOTICE Prime Retail - Westchester County Chelsea Thomas (d.o.b. 7/14/94), Best Location in Yorktown Heights A Child Under 21 Years of Age Dkt Nos. NN-10514/15/16-10/12C 1100 Sq. Ft. Store $3100; 1266 Sq. Ft. store $2800 and 450 Sq. Ft. Store $1200. Adjudicated to be Neglected by NN-2695/96-10/12B Suitable for any type of business. Contact Wilca: 914.632.1230 FU No.: 22303 Page 26 Tiffany Ray and Kenneth Thomas,The WesTchesTer Guardian ThursdaY, FeBruarY 23, 2012 Respondents. X HELP WANTED NOTICE: PLACEMENT OF YOUR CHILD IN FOSTER CARE MAY RESULT IN YOUR LOSS OF YOUR A non profit Performing Arts Center is seeking two job positions- 1) Direc- RIGHTS TO YOUR CHILD. IF YOUR CHILD STAYS IN FOSTER CARE FOR 15 OF THE MOST RECENT tor of Development- FT-must have a background in development or expe- 22 MONTHS, THE AGENCY MAY BE REQUIRED BY LAW TO FILE A PETITION TO TERMINATE rience fundraising, knowledge of what development entails and experi- YOUR PARENTAL RIGHTS AND COMMITMENT CLASSIFIEDOF GUARDIANSHIP AND CUSTODY OFADS THE LEGAL NOTICES Page 2 THE WESTCHESTERence working with sponsors/donors; GUARDIAN 2) Operations Manager- must have a CHILD FOR THEThursda PURPOSES OFy, ADOPTION, DECEMBER AND MAY 26, FILE 2013 BEFORE THE END OF THE 15-MONTH good knowledge of computers/software/ticketing systems, duties include PERIOD. Office Space Available- FAMILY COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK overseeing all box office, concessions, movie staffing, day of show lobby Prime Location, Yorktown Heights COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER UPON GOOD CAUSE, THE COURT MAY ORDER AN INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETH- staffing such as Merchandise seller, bar sales. Must be familiar with POS 1,000 Sq. Ft.: $1800. Contact Wilca: 914.632.1230 In the Matter of ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE ER THE NON-RESPONSENT PARENT(s) SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS A RESPONDENT; IF SUMMONS AND INQUEST NOTICE system and willing to organize concessions. Full time plus hours. Call (203) THE COURT DETERMINES THE CHILD SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM HIS/HER HOME, THE 438-5795 and ask for Julie or Allison COURT MAY ORDER AN INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINEPrime RetailWHETHER - THEWestchester NON-RESPONDENT County Chelsea Thomas (d.o.b. 7/14/94), Best Location in Yorktown Heights PARENT(s) SHOULD BE SUITABLE CUSTODIANS FOR THE CHILD; IF THE CHILD IS PLACED AND A Child Under 21 Years of Age Dkt Nos. NN-10514/15/16-10/12C REMAINS IN FOSTER CARE FOR FIFTEEN1100 OF Sq. THE Ft. MOST Store RECENT $3100; TWENTY-TWO 1266 Sq. Ft. MONTHS,store $2800 THE and 450 Sq. Ft. THE WESTcHESTER GUARDiAn THURSDAY,AGENCY MAY BE FEBRUARY REQUIRED TO 23,FILE 2012 A PETITION FOR TERMINATIONStore OF PARENTAL $1200. RIGHTS OF Page 3 Adjudicated to be Neglected by NN-2695/96-10/12B FU No.: 22303 THE WTHEEST cWESTCHESTERHESTER GUARD iGUARDIANAn THURSDAY,THE PARENT(s)THURSDAY, FEBRUARYAND COMMITMENT MARCH 23, 2012 OFSuitable 29,GUARDIANSHIP 2012 for any AND type CUSTODY of business. OF THE Contact CHILD FOR Wilca: THE 914.632.1230Page 3 PURPOSES OF ADOPTION, EVEN IF THE PARENT(s) WERE NOT NAMED AS RESPONDENTS IN Tiffany Ray and Kenneth Thomas, Of SignificanceTHE CHILD NEGLECT OR ABUSE PROCEEDING. Respondents. X RADIO HELP WANTED NOTICE: PLACEMENT OF YOUR CHILD IN FOSTER CARE MAY RESULT IN YOUR LOSS OF YOUR Of Significance A NON-CUSTODIAL PARENT HAS THEA non RIGHT profit TO REQUEST Performing TEMPORARY Arts Center OR is PERMANENT seeking two CUS job- positions- 1) Direc- RADIORADIO TODY OF THE CHILD AND TO SEEK ENFORCEMENT OF VISITATION RIGHTS WITH THE CHILD. RIGHTS TO YOUR CHILD. IF YOUR CHILD STAYS IN FOSTER CARE FOR 15 OF THE MOST RECENT Of Significance tor of Development- FT-must have a background in development or expe- 22 MONTHS, THE AGENCY MAY BE REQUIRED BY LAW TO FILE A PETITION TO TERMINATE Community Section ...... 4 FeatureBY ORDER Section OF .THE...... FAMILY COURT OFrience THE STATE fundraising, OF NEW knowledgeYORK of what development entails and.. 3 experi- YOUR PARENTAL RIGHTS AND COMMITMENT OF GUARDIANSHIP AND CUSTODY OF THE Community Section ...... 4 ence working with sponsors/donors; 2) Operations Manager- must have a CHILD FOR THE PURPOSES OF ADOPTION, AND MAY FILE BEFORE THE END OF THE 15-MONTH CommunityBusiness ...... Section ...... 4 CourtTO THE...... ABOVE-NAMED RESPONDENT(S)good knowledge WHO RESIDE(S) of computers/software/ticketing OR IS FOUND AT [specify systems,...... duties3 include PERIOD. WestchesterWestchesteraddress(es)]: OnOn thethe LevelLevel withwith NarogNarog and Aris Business ...... 4 overseeing all box office, concessions, movie staffing, day of show lobby BCalendarusiness ...... 4 UPON GOOD CAUSE, THE COURT MAY ORDER AN INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETH- WestchesterWestchester On the Level isOn usually theheard from Level Mondaystaffing such towith Friday, as Merchandise from Narog 10 seller,a.m. tobar 12 sales. Must be familiar with POS Calendar ...... 4 CulturalLast known Perspectives addresses: TIFFANY...... RAY: 24 Garfield Street, #3, Yonkers, NY 10701 4 ER THE NON-RESPONSENT PARENT(s) SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS A RESPONDENT; IF Charity ...... 5 Noon on the Internet: http://www.BlogTalkRadio.com/WestchesterOntheLevelsystem and willing to organize concessions.. Full time plus hours. Call (203) Creative Disruption ...... 5 Last known addresses: KENNETH THOMAS: 24 Garfield Street, #3, Yonkers, NY 10701 THE COURT DETERMINES THE CHILD SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM HIS/HER HOME, THE CharityContest ...... 56 andBecause Arisof the importanceCommunity of Section a Federal...... court case438-5795 purporting and ask corruption for Julie or Allisonand bribery 6 COURT MAY ORDER AN INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE NON-RESPONDENT ContestCultural ...... Perspective ...... 67 and Aris An Order to Show Cause under Article 10 of the Family Court Act having been filed with this Court PARENT(s) SHOULD BE SUITABLE CUSTODIANS FOR THE CHILD; IF THE CHILD IS PLACED AND Creative Disruption ...... 6 Westchesterallegations, programming On theArbitration Level with is heard ...... be suspended from Monday for the to days Friday, of March from 2610 toa.m. 29, to 2012. 12 Noon Yon- ..... 6 CreativeEnergy Issues Disruption ...... 68 seeking to modify the placement for the above-named child. REMAINS IN FOSTER CARE FOR FIFTEEN OF THE MOST RECENT TWENTY-TWO MONTHS, THE Education ...... 7 Westchesteronkers the Philharmonic Internet: On thehttp://www.BlogTalkRadio.com/WestchesterOntheLevel Orchestra Level is heardConductor from James Monday Sadewhite to Friday, is our from scheduled 10 a.m. guest to 12 Friday, Noon. Join AGENCY MAY BE REQUIRED TO FILE A PETITION FOR TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS OF EducationIn Memoriam ...... 107 March 30. Calendar ...... YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to appear before this Court at Yonkers Family Court ...... 6 THE PARENT(s) AND COMMITMENT OF GUARDIANSHIP AND CUSTODY OF THE CHILD FOR THE Fashion ...... 8 onthe theconversation Internet: byhttp://www.BlogTalkRadio.com/WestchesterOntheLevel callinglocated attoll-free 53 So. Broadway, to 1-877-674-2436. Yonkers, New York, Please on the 28thstay day on of topic. March, 2012. Join at 2;15 pm in the Medicine ...... 10 It is however anticipated that the jury will conclude its deliberation on either Mon- PURPOSES OF ADOPTION, EVEN IF THE PARENT(s) WERE NOT NAMED AS RESPONDENTS IN FashionFitness...... 89 the conversation byCurrent callingafternoon toll-freeCommentary of said day to to1-877-674-2436. answer...... the petition andPlease to show stay cause on topic.why said child should not be 6 THE CHILD NEGLECT OR ABUSE PROCEEDING. Fitness...... Najah’s Corner ...... 119 Richardday or Tuesday, Narog andMarch adjudicatedHezi 26 Arisor 27.to beare Should a neglectedyour co-hosts.that child be and the Inwhy case,the you shouldweekwe will not beginning beresume dealt with our February in accordanceregular 20th with and the ending on Health ...... 10 RichardFebruary Narog 24th, weand have provisionsHezi an Arisexciting of Article are entourageyour 10 of theco-hosts. 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PLEASEMonday, TAKE February FURTHER NOTICE, 20th, thatKrystal you have Wade, the right a tocelebrated be represented participant by a law- in...... http://8 Ed Koch Movie Review ...... 12 Everywww.TheWritersCollection.com Monday is special.yer, and On if the Monday, Court isfinds our Februaryyou guest. are unable Krystal 20th, to pay KrystalWade for a lawyer, is Wade, a motheryou havea celebrated theof rightthree to whohaveparticipant a lawyerworks fiftyin http:// miles BY ORDER OF THE FAMILY COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK EdCommunity Koch Movie ...... Review ...... 1213 assigned by the Court. Spoof ...... 13 www.TheWritersCollection.comfrom home and writesMusic in...... her “spare istime.” our guest.“Wilde’s Krystal Fire,” Wade her debut is a novelmother has of been three accepted who works for...... publication fifty 9miles TO THE ABOVE-NAMED RESPONDENT(S) WHO RESIDE(S) OR IS FOUND AT [specify Writers Collection...... 14 address(es)]: SpoofSports ...... Scene ...... 13 fromand should home andbe available writes in in her 2012. “sparePLEASE Not time.” TAKEfar behind “Wilde’sFURTHER is NOTICE, herFire,” second herthat debutif novel,you fail novel “Wilde’sto appear has beenat Army.” the acceptedtime How and place fordoes publication she do it? Books ...... 16 Technology-Creativenoted above, the Court will Disruption hear and determine...... the petition as provided by law. 10 SportsNajah’s Scene Corner ...... 13 andTune should in and be find available out. in 2012. Not far behind is her second novel, “Wilde’s Army.” How does she do it? Last known addresses: TIFFANY RAY: 24 Garfield Street, #3, Yonkers, NY 10701 Najah’sPeopleWriters ...... Corner Collection ...... 141318 Tune in and find Eyeout.Dated: on TheatreJanuary 30,...... 2012 BY ORDER OF THE COURT 12 Last known addresses: KENNETH THOMAS: 24 Garfield Street, #3, Yonkers, NY 10701 Co-hosts Richard Narog and2 column Hezi Aris will relish CLERKthe dissection1 columnOF THE COURT of all things politics on Tuesday, February WritersEye On TheatreCollection ...... 1418 An Order to Show Cause under Article 10 of the Family Court Act having been filed with this Court Books ...... 16 Co-hosts21st. Yonkers Richard City Narog Council and President Hezi Aris Chuck will relish Lesnick the dissection will share of hisall thingsperspective politics from on Tuesday, the august February inner Leaving on a Jet Plane ...... 19 Travel...... 12 seeking to modify the placement for the above-named child. BooksTransportation ...... 1617 21st.sanctumYonkers of the City City Council Council President Chambers Chuck on Wednesday, Lesnick will February share 22nd.his perspective Stephen Cerrato,from the Esq., august will innershare Government Section ...... 20 YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to appear before this Court at Yonkers Family Court GovernmentTransportation Section ...... 17 sanctumhis political of theinsight CityGovernment on Council Thursday,...... Chambers February on 23rd. Wednesday, Friday, FebruaryGetFebruary 24th 22nd.has Stephenyet to be Cerrato,filled. It Esq.,may willbe..... a share14propi- Campaign Trail ...... 20 Get Noticed located at 53 So. Broadway, Yonkers, New York, on the 28th day of March, 2012 at 2;15 pm in the GovernmentAlbany Correspondent Section ...... 17 histious political day to insightsum upPolitics on what Thursday, ...... transpired February throughout 23rd. Friday,the Noticedweek. February A sort 24th of BlogTalkhas yet to beRadio filled. version It may of...... Thatbe a propi14 Was- afternoon of said day to answer the petition and to show cause why said child should not be AdvertisingAlbanyEconomicMayor Marvin’sCorrespondent Development SalesColumn ...... 172018 tiousThe dayWeek to sumThat up Was what (TWTWTW). transpired throughout the week. A sort of BlogTalk Radio version of That Was adjudicated to be a neglected child and why you should not be dealt with in accordance with the Education ...... 21 The Week That GovernanceWas (TWTWTW)...... 15 provisions of Article 10 of the Family Court Act. MayorGovernment Marvin’s ...... Column ...... 1819 For those who cannot join us live, consider listening914-562-0834 to the show by way of an MP3 download, or on The Hezitorial ...... 21 PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE, that you have the right to be represented by a law- OpEdOffice:Government Section ...... 914-576-1481 (10:00 AM–6:001923 PM)Fordemand. those Within who cannot 15Mayor minutes join Marvin us of live,a ...... show’s consider ending, listening you [email protected] to find the showthe segment by way in of our an archiveMP3 download,that you mayor16 linkon yer, and if the Court finds you are unable to pay for a lawyer, you have the right to have a lawyer Legal ...... 23 demand. Within 15 minutes of a show’s ending, you can find the segment in our archive that you may link assigned by the Court. OpEdEd Koch Section Commentary ...... 2323 to using the hyperlink provided in the opening paragraph.Legal Notices, People ...... 24 to using the hyperlinkBogen provided Perspective in the...... opening paragraph. 17 EdLetters Koch to Commentary the Editor ...... 2324 The entire archive isLegal available Notices, and Advertise maintained Today for yourAdvertise perusal. Today The easiest way to find a particular interview PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE, that if you fail to appear at the time and place 914-216-1674Strategy ...... (Cell) 24 Legal Notices...... 18 noted above, the Court will hear and determine the petition as provided by law. LettersWeir Only to the Human Editor ...... 2425 Theis to searchentire archiveGoogle, is oravailable any other and searchmaintained engine, for for your the perusal. subject matterThe easiest or the way name to findof the a particularinterviewee. interview For OpEdWeir Section Only Human ...... 25 is to search Google, or any other search engine, for the subject matter or the name of the interviewee. For Dated: January 30, 2012 BY ORDER OF THE COURT Legal Notices ...... 26 example, search HelpGoogle, Wanted Yahoo,...... AOL Search for Westchester On the Level, Blog Talk Radio, or ....use18 the 2 column CLERK1 columnOF THE COURT Legal Notices ...... 2627 example,hyperlink search above. Google, Yahoo, AOLBefore Search speaking for Westchester to the police...(914) On callthe Level, 562-0834Blog Talk Radio, or use the hyperlink above. 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As a weekly, rather than Sam Zherka , Publisher & President focusing on the immediacy of delivery more associated with daily ATTORNEY AT LAW Sam Zherka, Publisher & President journals,focusing we on will the insteadimmediacy seek ofto deliveryprovide themore broader, associated more with compre daily- [email protected] journals, we will instead seek to provide the broader, more compre- FREE CONSULTATION: [email protected]@westchesterguardian.com hensive, chronological step-by-step accounting of events, enlightened Hezi Aris, Editor-in-Chief & Vice President hensive,with analysis, chronological where appropriate. step-by-step accounting of events, enlightened Criminal, Medicaid, Medicare Hezi Aris, Editor-in-Chief & Vice President with analysis, where appropriate. Fraud, White-Collar Crime & Professional Dominican Health Care Prosecutions. 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IndependenceFeatureSection Party Raid Goes to Court By NANCY KING since 2011, there had been nearly before Judge DiBella during the 4,000 new members! Further study week ending on Friday, December 20, On Tuesday, December showed that over 2,000 were new 2013. Though the court was prepared 17th, members of the registrants and over 1,000 had been to hear from as many as 2,000 people, Executive Board of those who had changed party des- named as possible party raiders, only the Independence ignation and many of these new a handful showed up to testify and Party appeared before members were either employed by another dozen or so sent letters to the Justice Robert DiBella to deter- the Astorino Administration or were court asking to be “dis-enrolled” from mine if the Independence Party family members of those employed the party. had been “raided” in an attempt by by the administration. Upon learning County Executive (CE) Rob County Executive Rob Astorino, of all this, Independence Party Astorino had garnered the coveted and members of the Westchester Chair Dr. Giulio Cavallo ordered a Independent (“I”) line back in 2009 County Republican Committee, to sub-committee to convene and to from party Chair Dr. Giulio Cavallo. register not only new members to the interview all those “new” to the party. Having lost the Conservative line to Westchester County Independence For 5 business days, a sub-committee then Democrat incumbent, Andy Party but also to change party affili- comprised of Ms. Dhylama Vasquez, Spano, Astorino desperately needed ation of over 1,000 Republicans and Ms. Irma Drace, and District Leader that endorsement and that line. CE Democrats to the Independence Dominica O’Neill heard from some Astorino maintains the reason that Party line. The original complaint in of the members, how they ended up he did not receive the Independence this matter had been filed by former as Independence Party members, and party endorsement for the 2013 Independence Party leader Richard whether or not they were in concert election cycle was due to the fact that Rhoades after he asserted overhear- with the beliefs and tenets of the he believes that Dr. Giulio Cavallo ing a conversation at the elevator party. and his Executive Board members banks of the Westchester County For the 5-day sub-committee had demanded jobs in the Astorino Office Building between Astorino’s hearing, those 4,000 members in Administration in return for the confidential scheduler, John “JC” question were invited to “plead” their Independence line endorsement. Cerino and two other staff members. case for remaining in the party. While At the time of the 2009 elections, According to Rhoade’s testimony, only a hundred or so people showed Ms. Vazquez and Ms. Drace were Mr. Cerino detailed to the two staff up to appear before the committee, already employed by the County of members that in order to ensure most were allowed to stay on the rolls Westchester. Dr. Cavallo has main- that Astorino would have enough as Independence Party members. tained and testified under oath that registered Independence voters to Several individuals, upon being he merely wanted to be sure that any have the opportunity to ballot for summoned and questioned were résumés submitted for consideration this past September’s primary. This “dis-enrolled” from the party as they for employment with the Astorino raid/re-registration effort had been wished to be “dis-enrolled”. Their administration would be considered quietly going on since shortly after wishes were granted and a handful with the same fairness as those who Astorino took office in 2010. A look of individuals who were indeed con- had worked on the 2009 campaign at the Independence Party’s regis- nected to the County Executive were were afforded. trations at the Westchester County “dis-enrolled”. Those who did not Of course, no resumes were Board of Elections indicated that attend were named in the suit heard Continued on page 4 RADIO Westchester On the Level with Narog and Aris Designated a “Featured” BlogTalk Radio program, has been operating for over two years via the Internet with Co-Hosts Richard Narog and Hezi Aris every weekday, from 10 a.m. to 12 Noon. Listen to the show live or on demand. Share your perspective by calling (347) 205-9201 or by clicking onto the following hyperlinks: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/westchesteronthelevel Page 4 THE WESTCHESTER GUARDIAN Thursday, DECEMBER 26, 2013

GOVERNMENT

Independence Party Raid Goes to Court

Continued from page 3 himself doesn’t want to be caught up in expected to be filed next month. That was often locked out of the room she was capture the Independence voters, but their untruths. case, directly tied to this one, names over reviewed and no job prospects were ordered to sit in. Most of the time, there more importantly, to “decapitate” Ms. The final witness in this proceeding 100 individuals who are employed by offered. As a matter of fact, Irma Drace, was no key to her door on the 5th floor of Vazquez and Dr. Cavallo, and to render was Commissioner/Republican Chair the County Executive and/or are family Treasurer of the Independence Party was the Department of Social Services (DSS) Chairman Cavallo as nothing more than Doug Colety. Accompanied by legal members of the County Executive alleging terminated from her position as a Program at 85 Court Street, in White Plains, NY. a “paper tiger”. Astorino, who by the way counsel, Colety testified he was not a party their conspiring to commit election fraud Specialist for the County Attorney’s Office In addition Ms. Vazquez’s position has sought out Zherka for this conversation, th to changing voter registration cards after by planning and executing the raid of on September 17 , 2013, and Dhyalma been eliminated from the 2014 budget also asserted on the tape that Dr. Cavallo hours at the Westchester County Board the Independence Party. Mr. Colety Vazquez, Vice Chair of the Independence and will be presumably terminated by had “screwed” over Westchester County of Elections even though the new regis- declined to testify at the hearing after Party was demoted from her position as December 31, 2013. Republican Chair and Republican Board tration forms are time stamped well after being provided a copy of the RICO action a Director of Fraud Investigation for the of Elections Commissioner Doug Colety. In a tape recorded conversation played the hours of a normal business day. Colety that indicates he is being sued personally Department of Social Services and re- What is involved in the alleged “screwing” in court, County Executive Rob Astorino and Republican Party attorney Guy Parisi for $100 million dollars. A ruling on this assigned to an empty office at 85 Court remains unclear. When questioned about was heard telling [The] Westchester are co-respondents in a federal Racketeer action is expected by the end of the month. Street in White Plains with no duties. taping Astorino, Mr. Zherka testified that Guardian Publisher Sam Zherka that Influenced and Corrupt Organizations As a matter of fact, Ms. Vazquez had her he always tapes politicians and elected Nancy King is a freelance reporter. he was indeed raiding the Independence Act (RICO) conspiracy case which is employee swipe card de-activated and Party as a form of insurance needed to officials because they “all lie” and that he CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES

jihadis (mujahidin) fighting infidel “crusad- ers.” This is precisely why I have an interest The Past and the Future in the long history of the conflict—most of Egyptian-American Author Raymond Ibrahim Analyzes Fundamentalism which is concealed from people in the West by the forces of “political correctness,” which By SHERIF AWAD from their villages. California State University. He also took predominate in the classrooms, the govern- Raymond Ibrahim, an American author graduate courses at Georgetown University’s ment, and the media. Since the revolutions of and Middle East expert with Egyptian roots, Center for Contemporary Arab Studies— January 25 and June 30 and AWAD: You researched al-Qaeda’s early has been monitoring and researching the including classes on the history, politics, even before, Egyptian Copts history but I want to ask about 9/11 and state of Egyptian Copts throughout history and economics of the Arab world—and were subjected to much how far al-Qaeda was involved because to contemporary times. studied Medieval Islam and Semitic lan- violence at the hands of the many conspiracy theorists claim that guages at Catholic University of America. Muslim Brotherhood and their supporters. Ibrahim’s books include Crucified Again: certain U.S. entities have something to do Egyptian Copts were reportedly prevented Exposing Islam’s New War on Christians (2013) His M.A. thesis examined an early military with those events. from submitting their votes during the and The Al Qaeda Reader (2007) and his encounter between Islam and Byzantium IBRAHIM: Well, of course, conspiracy previous constitutional referendum and writings, translations, and observations have based on arcane Arabic and Greek texts. An theorists say what they say. And for my part, I presidential elections. Moreover, Copts appeared in a variety of publications, includ- important discussion with author Raymond can’t prove anything; we work with the infor- suffered from attacks on their churches, ing Fox News, Financial Times, Jerusalem Ibrahim follows: mation we are given; ultimately. For example, Post, Los Angeles Times, New York Times destruction of their homes and displacement AWAD: Would you tell us about your we were told that Osama bin Laden was Syndicate, United Press International, USA killed; but others say he wasn’t. And no one family; their profession, and how and why Today, Washington Post, Washington Times, can really prove either position. So, while I do they decided to migrate to the U.S. Tell us Yonkers Tribune, Weekly Standard and The not necessarily discount what are sneeringly about your childhood and the intercultural Westchester Guardian. Ibrahim’s dual-back- dismissed as “conspiracy theories,” in this elements that shaped it until you decided ground—born and raised in the U.S. by profession, one must articulate one’s position to select your profession Coptic parents—has provided him with within the reasonable bounds of what is col- unique advantages, from equal fluency in IBRAHIM: My father and mother, AWAD: In regards to your Master of Arts lectively deemed “truth”. English and Arabic, to an equal understand- both Copts, one from Cairo, the other from (M.A.) thesis and book about the Battle ing of the Western and Middle Eastern Alexandria, left Egypt in the late 1960s AWAD: In your book Crucified Again of Yarmuk, can you compare its events to you shed light on the troubles faced by mindsets, positioning him to explain the for America, where I was born. They left the happenings that yield to the ending of the Christian minorities across the Arab latter to the former. His interest in Islamic Egypt for a better life. I grew up speaking Islamic rule in Andalusia, Spain? Did you world. It was followed by new articles civilization was first piqued when he began both Arabic and English and visited Egypt consider researching the Islamic empire in about the attack on the Church of Waraq visiting the Middle East as a child in the with my parents often when I was young. It Andalusia? About the Crusades? neighborhood in Cairo (which is next to 1970s. Interacting and conversing with the was natural, then, for me to formally study IBRAHIM: Yes, I am very interested my house in KitKat by the way). Do you locals throughout the decades has provided the region, its languages (primarily Arabic, in early and medieval Islamic history, espe- differentiate between tolerance and fun- him with an intimate appreciation for which I already spoke), its history and con- flicts, in college. Growing up in Egypt in cially military history vis-à-vis Christendom. damentalism in Islam or do you think that that part of the world, complementing his Not only are there parallels between those Islam is broadly violent right now? academic training. the 1940s-1960s, my parents experienced little by way of direct persecution, but they various battles and encounters, but indeed, IBRAHIM: This is a good, impor- Raymond received his B.A. and M.A. did experience religious discrimination, and the patterns continue to this very day. tant, and ultimately complicated question. (both in History, focusing on the ancient that was one of the reasons they came to Most in the West are wholly unaware that To be brief: I always distinguish between and medieval Near East, with dual-minors America, for better opportunities. That said, to Islamist groups like al-Qaeda, they see Muslims, the humans, and Islam, the in Philosophy and Literature) from the conflict as a continuum of history—as Author Raymond Ibrahim. they also had several Muslim friends. Continued on page 5 THE WESTCHESTER GUARDIAN Thursday, DECEMBER 26, 2013 Page 5

GOVERNMENT I like people The Past and the Future to be able Continued from page 4 Egypt? Do you think Egypt will be you think MB have influences on religion. Muslims, like all humans, are under more terrorist attacks from Obama’s administration? to rely free agents who are capable of doing their supporters in the future? How IBRAHIM: Yes, I do. It is anything. They, like all people, can be do you see Egypt in the near future? well known that several people who on me. very tolerant or they can be very intol- IBRAHIM: Again, good and advise or associate with Obama, the erant. Likewise, they, like all peoples complicated question… I actually White House, and in fact the entire of all religions, can interpret their think it was good that Morsi won U.S. government are somehow or It’s vital that religion anyway they want. That said, elections and that the Brotherhood other associated with the Muslim people get to when it comes to the actual religion of was temporarily empowered. Because Brotherhood. Moreover, since the June work because Islam, it is inaccurate to describe it as finally, the Egyptian people experi- 30 Revolution, we have seen, repeat- they have to “tolerant” of non-Muslims—certainly enced what it would be like under edly, how the Obama administration support their not by modern, 21st century standards. ikhwani rule. And the result of that was and U.S. leadership—including Anne families, and if Plain and simple, Islam teaches that the June 30 Revolution—millions of Patterson, John McCain, and Lindsay we don’t do our non-Muslims are inferior to Muslims. Egyptians protesting in the streets. So Graham—have intervened on behalf jobs, they can’t Quran 9:29 calls on Muslims to sub- the good news is that Egyptians now of the Brotherhood. do their jobs. know exactly who the Brotherhood is. jugate the People of the Book (ahl Born in Cairo, Egypt, Sherif Awad is a On the other hand, the Brotherhood If there’s a al-kitab), until they pay jizya while film / video critic and curator. He is the film still has supporters in Egypt, and challenge on the feeling humiliated. The Prophet of editor of Egypt Today Magazine (www. more importantly, abroad—U.S., Islam commanded Muslims not to EgyptToday.com), and the artistic director job, I am willing Qatar, Turkey, etc. So it is likely that greet non-Muslims and to push them for both the Alexandria Film Festival, in to step up to it. they will still try to undermine Egypt, to the side of the road. One can go on Egypt, and the Arab Rotterdam Festival, whether through terrorism or political If we weren’t and on with examples (see my book in The Netherlands. He also contributes to maneuvers from their supporters. But doing it, people Crucified Again for many more with Variety, in the United States, and is the film would notice it — complete documentation). Ultimately, overall I believe that Egypt’s experi- critic of Variety Arabia (http://varietyara- the quality of life this suggests that the pious Muslim ences under the Brotherhood, and now bia.com/), in the United Arab Emirates who tries to follow Sharia will be more after their ousting, have opened many (UAE), the Al-Masry Al-Youm Website would degrade. intolerant of non-Muslims than the eyes, thus ultimately weakening the (http://www.almasryalyoum.com/ I provide services casual or “cultural” Muslim—and both Brotherhood’s influence. en/node/198132) and The Westchester that people need! types exist. Awad: In a recent article, you quoted Guardian (www.WestchesterGuardian. com). Awad: How do you see the rise the report published in al-Watan and fall of ex-president Mursi and newspaper about the Muslim the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) in Brotherhood (MB) in the U.S. Do

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CommunityARBITATION Section Arbitration Ruling Calls for Layoff of Former CSEA President Karen Pecora be Overturned By HEZI ARIS because of budgetary reasons or lack of then re-employing two retirees to fill the important precedent. movement. work, but because she was on leave from her voids left by these retirements. This wreaks “This confirms that Karen Pecora was “This decision is a major victory for YONKERS, NY -- Jay county job to serve as union president. of bad faith.” singled out for termination because she was the CSEA Westchester County Unit,” said M. Siegel, in an anxiously “It seems beyond mere coincidence “I am thrilled that the hearing officer the union president,” Riccaldo said. “This is a Manu. “It points out very clearly that unions awaited decision over- that the only individual to actually be laid saw what really happened here,” Pecora said. significant victory and sends a message that will continue to be a part of the American turned the termination of off from this area in the Parks Department “I feel vindicated that the truth came out and labor-management relations should be based system.” former CSEA President in the past few years is the individual on the right thing was done. I look forward to on fairness and respect.” Karen Pecora for layoff because of her union Siegel ruled Pecora must be reinstated union leave,” Siegel wrote in his decision. returning to my former position.” duties as determined by Westchester County Current CSEA Westchester County to her job with back pay and benefits. “To make matters worse for the county, it officials. Pecora was a secretary in the Parks CSEA Southern Region President Unit President Kwabena Manu said chose to target the grievant’s position while Department. Her layoff was not predicated Billy Riccaldo asserts the decision sets an the decision is a clear win for the labor CALENDAR

914-762-2912 x 110. 4pm at The Presbyterian Church of Mount News & Notes from Northern Westchester The Flat Iron Gallery in Peekskill Kisco. Celebrate New Year’s Eve early with is hosting a holiday art exhibit “Kindred a light and delightful concert for the whole By MARK JEFFERS Community College. that he will be able to discuss as NY Yankees Spirits,” which features illustrated children’s family including works by Bach, Mozart, I recently took a tour of the newly reno- manager Joe Girardi will be appearing at books and prints by Neil Waldman and Telemann, Zipoli and Vivaldi. Concerts We were hoping for a vated Hudson Valley Paramount Theater The Harvey School in Katonah on Sunday, ceramic designs by Mark Cassis through are held in the Church Sanctuary at 605 Christmas miracle, but th in Peekskill and must say it looks great and January 12th. December 29 . Millwood Road, with a reception to follow looks like we didn’t win the hope the northern Westchester community Pound Ridge will once again be holding Strap on your ice skates and head over in the Great Hall. The rooms are handi- $636 million Mega Millions will support this local treasure. their local Sales Days through January 31st, to the Harvey School in Katonah for some capped accessible. The suggested donation jackpot, so please have a look th please support our local merchants, just don’t open skating on Friday, December 27 . is $20 for adults and $10 for students with at this week’s “poor, but happy,” edition of Our friend Steve thought this winter tell my wife… Here’s some good news… the part of the proceeds going to the Emergency “News & Notes.” might be a hard one as he watched the squirrels collecting nuts early…and so far Shake out those cozy cobwebs after Department of Taxation and Finance has Shelter Partnership. Please bring warm A big shout-out and thanks to the 2013 he’s right as my daughter has had three the holiday recess and head over to Teatown extended the deadline for homeowners to hats, gloves, or wool socks to support the annual “Feeding Our Neighbors Initiative” snow days and we haven’t made it through Reservation for the first hike of the year on re-register for the basic STAR exemption Partnership, for more information call Terry as they packed 750 food packages for the less th December yet. Sunday January 5 at 1:00pm. Kick off the until March. Flanagan at 914-666-7001. fortunate and home bound. Way to go! We hope everyone had a great rd Former Westchester resident rocker New Year with a hearty hike in the frosty White Plains is hosting another New Happy 133 birthday to the Katonah Ace Frehley whose financial troubled air while you trek up into Hidden Valley Year’s Eve Spectacular with Heineken USA Christmas with family & friends and here’s Village Library as they recently celebrated property in Yorktown recently had some looking for winter wildlife. On the return once again providing free rides to residential to a wonderful, happy and healthy 2014. the big event and… “No!”, I was not at the fire damage received some good news as there will be a toast to the New Year with destinations within Westchester County Thanks for reading… see you next week. opening… his band KISS will be inducted into the a hot drink. Please dress for the weather from 11pm to 3am for attendees 21 and Mark Jeffers resides in Bedford Hills, New York, Good luck and best wishes to John Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April at the and wear appropriate footgear for the trail older… with his wife Sarah, and three daughters, Kate, Flynn a former vice president and dean ceremony being planned for the Barclays conditions. This program is for adults only, Welcome in the 2014 with a chari- Amanda, and Claire. of academic affairs, as he has been named Center in Brooklyn. free for members, $5 for non-members table concert. The New Baroque Soloists the interim president at Westchester There has been lots of off season action and requires pre-registration, to register, call will perform on Tuesday, December 31st at CURRENT COMMENTARY

“60 Minutes” seemed willing to accept the costs are never mentioned. This goes NSA’s Press Release On “60 Minutes” unquestioned. hand-in-hand with the claim that the col- CBS allowed itself to be used by the lected information, which could so easily be By LARRY M. ELKIN Itzkoff was not alone in his criticism, “We’ve heard plenty from the critics,” intelligence community to make the case misused for commercial or political gain, nor was his summary much of an exag- Miller said in an interview about the story. that the NSA needs all the powers that it or even for blackmail, is safely protected Dave Itzkoff, culture critic geration. Jeers were easy to come by during He also said the segment was a chance for presently has, or that it thinks it presently behind legal and technological restrictions. at The New York Times, and after the two-part story, fronted by the NSA “to make their case.” has, and maybe even additional powers too, But, at the same time, in the same succinctly captured the CBS reporter John Miller. Miller, who told Despite this premise, however, the in order to gather a vast quantity of infor- “60 Minutes” piece, the NSA said that a disgust and disbelief many viewers that he “once worked in the office “inside look” did not hold NSA officials mation about where we go and with whom then-29-year-old, non-college-educated felt last Sunday after of the Director of National Intelligence,” responsible for claims that have proven we communicate. contractor (whose character CBS gleefully watching a report on “60 Minutes” about said that the NSA agreed to the piece in false or misleading, nor did it uncover any participated in assassinating) was able to the National Security Agency. The intelligence community offers order to tell its own story. The 25-minute substantial new information. In the days two justifications. First, that terrorism must walk away with, as one NSA spokesman “‘NSA Doing Great Job, NSA Says’ – segment did not contain the views of any of since the broadcast, it has been up to others be stopped, essentially at any cost, since put it, “the keys to the kingdom.” 60 Minutes,” he tweeted. the NSA’s numerous critics. to challenge the premises that Miller and Continued on page 7 THE WESTCHESTER GUARDIAN Thursday, DECEMBER 26, 2013 Page 7

CURRENT COMMENTARY

NSA’s Press Release On “60 Minutes” Continued from page 6 ruled that the NSA’s program to gather and questions that are long overdue. CBS had that the NSA could just as easily have put counseling to a sophisticated client base If Edward Snowden could get his retain records of Americans’ phone calls a chance to ask some of those questions; in a press release. since 1986. After six years with Arthur hands on that information, how are we most likely violates the Constitution. instead, it chose to give the NSA’s director, If networks wonder why their audience Andersen, where he was a senior manager supposed to believe that no one else can? “I cannot imagine a more ‘indis- Gen. Keith Alexander, and other employees is disappearing, John Miller’s NSA fashion for personal financial planning and family This question overwhelms the “60 Minutes” criminate’ and ‘arbitrary’ invasion than this a platform from which they could continue show ought to be exhibit A. Audiences are wealth planning, he founded his own firm segment, and it is the question that “60 systematic and high-tech collection and to assure us that we have no reason to worry, not watching network news because, in in Hastings on Hudson, N.Y., in 1992. That Minutes” did not bother to ask, presum- retention of personal data on virtually every despite a mountain of evidence suggesting too many cases, there is not much worth ably in order to make time to show an firm grew steadily and became the Palisades single citizen for purposes of querying and otherwise. watching. Hudson organization, which moved to NSA employee solving a Rubik’s Cube in analyzing it without prior judicial approval,” It’s not necessarily accurate to call 90 seconds. Scarsdale, N.Y., in 2002. The firm expanded Judge Richard Leon wrote in his ruling. the “60 Minutes” segment bad journalism, to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in 2005 and to CBS found itself in an even worse More legal challenges to the NSA’s because it is not clear how it qualifies as position when, less than 24 hours after ® Atlanta in 2008. program are pending. The intelligence com- journalism at all. It provided no news and , has the program aired, a federal district judge Larry M. Elkin, CPA, CFP munity is going to have to answer a lot of it essentially told no story other than one provided personal financial and tax HOUSES OF WORSHIP

days. There was a fast leading up to the feast, and presents. The innocence of a child, born in a Christmas Mourning The War For Christmas then there were many days of feasting.” ~ G.K. dirty cave, that we know will end by humili- On Christmas Day I weep A Poem, G.K. Chesterton and the Battle Inside Ourselves Chesterton ating death of this innocent, incarnated Good Friday to rejoice. man; the blood of birth to the blood of the I watch the Child asleep Our Responsibility last sacrifice, the bloodletting on the cross. By GLENN SLABY “hidden” by consumerism. Is it the failure Does He half dream the choice “Unto us a Savior is born. There has never Born and welcomed by outcasts, the shep- of my inability to be still, to block out the The Man must make and keep? been better news and never a better reason to cel- herds and died with outcasts on both sides What should lead to joy noise and see the beauty this season and ebrate.” ~ G.K. Chesterton of the cross. Birth and death, both virtually and the renewal of our faith its prayerful celebrations unfortunately and At Christmastime I sigh has turned outwardly into There is a need and obligation to future unnoticed, inglorious, witnessed by few, the unintentionally? I’m just overwhelmed by For my Good Friday hope. a shallow, superficial gorge generations to rise above the commercial faithful. Finally, joyfully, for it is a birth and the economic forces that hide the peace this Outflung the Child’s arms lie and celebrate Christmas religiously, soul- this birth is the beginning of redemption feast on the possession of the holiday could bring. Any wonder there are so fully and joyfully. Religiously with discipline for all – faith and fate foretold by the Jewish To span in their brief scope material; satisfaction of the physical. many lonely, disenfranchised people. reading, mass, prayers. Soulfully, sorrowfully prophets of the Old Testament fulfilled on The death the Man must die. Christmas, what are the images that Is it my inability to mentally and by the contradictions of His life Christmas Easter Sunday. Continued on page 8 come to the mind of a child, a parent, a young spirituality extend this Feast Day for a few couple? Do our images reflect our maturity? more days with beloved friends and family Christmas seems a simple holiday but our causing my discomfort? Is it that I have not culture adds stress, anxiety, and depression explored and lived the season of Advent as a ;everything from which faith might free us. Catholic because I am too busy being in the I create my own stress in not seeking what next moment and not in the present? What I need most, yet remedy is so close. I have a has prevented me from reading Christmas choice. Our Christian beliefs have so much stories and poetry, from listening to that to offer that is promptly ignored. wondrous music only glimpsed upon by (This country, the continuing, great commercial radio? Every year, we are led to experiment of human liberty, is sometimes th this December 25 celebration of givingC and ‘wonderfully’ secular, fighting a battle that getting the material, (which never fully, truly, M should never end – a battle of limits, desig- satisfies), that inevitably we may come to that nations, meaning of where the line, if there emotional letdown only slightly relievedY with should be one, between faith and national the celebration of the New Year, focusingCM identity. Maybe I have been fighting the ©2013 Hudson Valley Surgical Group | All Rights Reserved. on food, alcohol and more escapism from Hudson Valley Surgical Group are the experts in wrong battle. This is an internal fight of per- our human frailty. I have not beenMY using ception of belief and faith. The battle that can minimally invasive surgicalƚĞĐŚŶŝƋƵĞƐƚŚĂƚŽīĞƌ the weapons at my disposal – from theCY off only be settled in each and every respective ƉĂƟĞŶƚƐĂďĞƩĞƌquality-of-life approach to button on the TV remote, to prayers, mass, surgery. In ŵŽƐƚĐĂƐĞƐ͕ƉĂƟĞŶƚƐĂƌĞĂďůĞƚŽƌĞƚƵƌŶ heart.) CMY literature – great and small, wonderful, non- ƚŽŶŽƌŵĂůĂĐƟǀŝƟĞƐ͕ŝŶĐůƵĚŝŶŐǁŽƌŬ͕ŝŶůĞƐƐƚŚĂŶ The Battle commercial art and music, necessary Kto my ƚǁŽǁĞĞŬƐĂŌĞƌƐƵƌŐĞƌLJ͘KƵƌƐƵƌŐĞŽŶƐƚĂŬĞƚŚĞ fulfillment. ƟŵĞƚŽĐŽƵŶƐĞůƉĂƟĞŶƚƐŽŶǁŚĂƚƚŽĞdžƉĞĐƚďĞĨŽƌĞ͕ “The world seems to celebrate Christmas There are many ways to grow during ĚƵƌŝŶŐ͕ĂŶĚĂŌĞƌƚŚĞŝƌƉƌŽĐĞĚƵƌĞ. long before Christmas and then when Christmas this season, a glorious feast that should not “With over 4,000 minimally comes, everyone stops celebrating. Should be just end until the Epiphany invasive hernia surgeries, the opposite.” G.K. Chesterton “Though we love Christmas for the tradi- Through our mass media, I see so much Dr. Lau was my only choice.” Hudson Valley tions that it entails, we have forgotten one of has been lost for so long for profit. Has it ĚĚŝĞ͕͘ŚĞƌŶŝĂƉĂƟĞŶƚ the most important traditions. For several cen- Surgical Group been getting worse or is it my imagination turies people waited until Christmas to celebrate Robert Raniolo, MD & Har Chi Lau, MD 777 N. Broadway, Suite 204, Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591 and frustration of living in a very secular Christmas. And then they celebrated it for twelve Castle Connolly’s Top Doctor™ in America 914.631.3660 | HudsonValleySurgeons.com society encompassing many micro-cultures Page 8 THE WESTCHESTER GUARDIAN Thursday, DECEMBER 26, 2013

HOUSES OF WORSHIP

The War For Christmas

Continued from page 7 So I who, new-born, soar but by opening the mind to a greater world created a tragedy that is Christmas? Have we in the shoot that sprouts from the stump, a shoot Come Christmastime, I groan To that Child’s innocence, of intense possibilities – our lives/souls may done a disservice to our children? that hardly anyone notices.” ~ Henri Nouwen To hear Good Friday’s pealing. not exist on a vertical line of time constraints, “The small child of Bethlehem, the May wound the Man no more. Glenn Slaby is married and has one son. A but of profound dimensions and great depth. unknown young man of Nazareth, the rejected The Man, racked to the bone, ~ Vassar Miller former account with an MBA, he is a free- Our Jewish heritage should be honored, preacher, the naked man on the cross, he asks for Has made His hurt my healing, lancer with The Westchester Guardian, writes The Possibility praised and studied. The Immaculate my full attention. The work of our salvation Has made my ache His own. part-time, and struggles with mental illness, yet Conception and Virgin Birth must be takes place in the midst of a world that contin- It really is the Word Made Flesh. Just works at the New Rochelle Public Library and embraced leading to a celebration to come ues to shout, scream, and overwhelm us with its Slay me, pierced to the core imagine – spirituality needs imagination, not at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Harrison, New York. With Christmas penitence in the sense in fantasy and science fiction, after 33 years of trials and sacrifice. Have we claims and promises. But the promise is hidden

Christmas Message the Pope if he could celebrate Christmas our residents reflects that good will that the Hearts Captivated by Baby Jesus there. The hermitage chapel there was not Christmas holiday season engenders. large enough for the congregation, so he A helpless child has captured the hearts By PEGGY GODFREY poor in other places. who came to earth as a baby, born of a created an altar in an area of rock close to the and souls of people for generations and this This year Catholics have a new Pope woman. With these humble beginnings, his center of town. A manger was built which year is no exception. The season of joy, hope The church bells will ring who has already taken a special interest in life reflected his dedication to the practices of held real animals. There are several conflict- and generosity that Christmas engenders and children will be expect- the needs of the poor. Pope Francis has the Ten Commandments that he exempli- ing reports of whether a newborn was placed is reason enough for all to express joy from ing presents under the tree. written and spoken about helping the poor fied during his life on earth. The Christmas in the manger or if a soldier saw a vision of a the heart. The glad tidings of Christmas that Christmas will be celebrated and vulnerable in our society. His words songs now resound, “A baby born, so meek child in the manger. In either situation there emanates from a baby born in a humble in many churches and the resonate with people of all faiths whose and mild, ...one tiny child.” As a baby this is no doubt the birth of the child Jesus has stable keeps hope alive in a world beset with generous spirit of good will this season be felt spirit of caring and giving is heightened by God-made man presented himself as a son been revered for many centuries. problems. by people everywhere, regardless of their reli- the goodwill the season engenders. His view needing the support of parents in a family The true spirit of Christmas should not Norman Vincent Peale reflected appro- gious affiliation. Isaiah 49.13 says “Rejoice, O is that his church is a church that is a poor setting. Certainly this is a tradition as old as be confused with the commercialization of priately, “Christmas waves a magic wand heavens and exalt, O earth, for our Lord will church and is “for the poor.” The Christmas mankind. this sacred holiday. The stores are filled with over this world, and behold everything is come to show mercy to the poor.” Christmas season offers a great opportunity to promote Pope Francis took the name of Francis all kinds of merchandise and gifts. And, in softer and more beautiful.” already brings out the generous, giving spirit the needs of the poor. Peace making and of Assisi, the saint who had been credited the American tradition, many groups collect of people everywhere. They remember and Peggy Godfrey is a freelance writer and former being merciful are all earmarks of his support with creating the first Christmas Crèche toys, clothes, food baskets and other presents contribute money and gifts to the less fortu- educator. of the most vulnerable members of society. to exemplify Christ’s birth. Reports claim for those less fortunate. In the best tradi- nate not only in our country but also for the Christmas is this celebration of God Francis of Assisi in Greccio, Italy, had asked tions of our country this generous spirit of WHAT YOUR DOCTOR WON’T (OR CAN’T) TELL YOU

a medication best known as Lasix (generic know as an outspoken critic of Big Pharma’s Big Pharma: What Have You Done for Me Lately? name furosemide). This drug was developed cozy relationship with physicians, may not and marketed over forty years ago, and in have had a similar view in 2001 when he By EVAN LEVINE, M.D. market since 1959! And the cost of this drug discovery. Along with beta blockers and spi- its oral form also costs pennies a day. Big stated the drug was effective and recom- — a drug that likely can save thousands of ronolactone, ACE inhibitors make up a triad Pharma, in a race to make big money, has mended its approval, even while no trial data A drug has been devel- lives and help millions of others — around of medications used to improve symptoms marketed what they claimed were more would ever show it prevented any deaths. oped that is a true miracle 10 cents a pill. Ten Cents! and mortality in patients with heart failure. potent and safer drugs, to help remove excess When Scios first marketed this drug of modern pharmacology. If we look at the other major drugs that Other drugs, specifically drugs that push fluid in patients with CHF. One such drug, they had their crafty marketing staff call I say this because it can save lives in congestive heart failure cases we weak hearts to work harder, with the excep- Natrecor, costs over $500 dollars for a single on doctors to advise the physicians on how reduce deaths for patients find a similar theme. The only class of drugs tion of one, have all been shown to increase dose and was eventually found to have NO they could earn big dollars opening intrave- with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) as that help patients with CHF were developed mortality in patients being treated for heart benefit over its pennies-a-day alternative, nous therapy centers. There, instead of using much as a ten-thousand- dollar defibrillator; decades ago, and cost pennies per pill. failure. The drug that seems to have a neutral Lasix. I wouldn’t feel badly for the makers of simple diuretics that cost pennies, they told it is perhaps the most effective drug we have outcome, and at least doesn’t kill the patient, this drug, Scios Inc. (purchased by Johnson doctors how they might create complex to help treat patients with resistant hyperten- Beta blockers, an important type of was first used to treat patients in 1785 after and Johnson), however, since they managed visits that included prolonged intravenous sion; it can correct low potassium levels and medication that saves lives in patients with William Withering reported that extract of to sell billions of dollars of this drug after therapy with Natrecor. I recall the salespeo- can even cure some types of baldness, acne, CHF, were first developed in the 1960s the leaf of the plant Foxglove helped patients the FDA, in 2001, allowed it into the mar- ple coming to my office with complex charts and problems with facial hair in women. by James Black, an English scientist who with what at that time was called dropsy; ketplace before trials showed that it was no showing how I could earn thousands of Some large studies have even shown it to was eventually awarded the Nobel Prize in a term likely used for patients with heart more effective than the usual therapy plus dollars each month for this and I also recall reduce the spillage of protein in the urine. Medicine for his discovery. failure and a fast and irregular rhythm. The placebo. asking them to leave and to never return. Too And for this miracle drug, we do have to Angiotensin Converting Enzyme modern derivative of this drug is Digoxin Some of the physicians on the FDA many, as you might have guessed, profited thank Big Pharma. Inhibitor (ACE Inhibitors), first marketed and it continues to be used in patients with panel were known to have profited by lec- through this scam. The drug I am describing, best known as Captopril, was discovered in 1975 by sci- entists analyzing the ingredients of poisoned heart failure, especially those with an irregu- turing for big pharmaceutical companies, The cost of a two day treatment with as Aldactone, or spironolactone by its generic lar rhythm known as atrial fibrillation. including the panel chairman, Dr. Milton Natrecor, a drug that provides ZERO name, is an FDA approved drug that was arrows used by tribesman in Brazil. The The most often used diuretic for Packer. benefit for mortality in patients with CHF, is not developed recently but has been on the natives, of course, received nothing for their patients in and out of the hospital remains Dr. Steven Nissen, who many of us now Continued on page 9 THE WESTCHESTER GUARDIAN Thursday, DECEMBER 26, 2013 Page 9

WHAT YOUR DOCTOR WON’T (OR CAN’T) TELL YOU

Big Pharma: What Have You Done for Me Lately? Continued from page 8 significantly reduce symptoms, hospitaliza- these medications fifty-years ago, for helping Dr. Evan S. Levine is a cardiologist in New (or Can’t) Tell You”. He resides in Connecticut roughly the same as a ten year supply of tions and death from congestive heart failure. us treat patients with congestive heart failure. York and a Clinical Assistant Professor of with his wife, two daughters, and two cats, and the beta-blocker, ACE inhibitor, spirono- In closing, I want to thank Big Pharma, As for Scios Inc., you can judge for your- Medicine at Montefiore Medical Center – can be reached by directing e-mail to vanlev@ lactone, and furosemide, recommended to or at least the Big Pharma that developed selves where their priorities lie. Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He is also aol.com . the author of the book “What Your Doctor Won’t MUSIC

Note: “Dave’s Picks Eight” com- pletes the 2013 subscription of just THE SOUNDS thirteen thousand copies per. The 2012 Dave’s Picks series (one through four) OFBLUE were limited to twelve thousand copies, both subscriptions editions (one through By Bob Putignano eight) have all sold-out and fetch lofty dollars on Ebay and Amazon. So inves- tor-collectors take note! The 2014 Dave’s Picks series kicks off soon, more details can be found at: www.Dead.net Grateful Dead Putignano www.SoundsofBlue.com. Now celebrating 13 + years on the air at WFDU “Dave’s Picks Volume 8” - http://wfdu.fm, 24x7 On Demand Radio: http://wfdu.streamrewind.com/ 11/30/80 Atlanta Georgia show/profile/11, WFDU’s Sounds of Blue is the most pledged to program for 5 con- www.Dead.net – www.Rhino.com secutive years. Senior Contributing Editor This complete show from 11/30/80 best typical and ordinary, and “Ship of to: http://www.Bluesrevue.com, http:// from the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA Fools” closes the second CD sheepishly. WestchesterGuardian.com, and http:// was gloriously recorded by soundman The third CD starts with a lengthy YonkersTribune.com. extraordinaire Dan Healy; the sound- and non-stop jam that kicks-off with a quality throughout is scrumptious. peppy “Playing In the Band” complete From the funky-delicious opener with creative and sprawling Garcia solos “Feel Like a Stranger”, it’s obvious that that eventually segues to eleven minutes Commercial • Industrial the band is in a playful mood and are of the dreaded and boring dual drum & Residential Services flowing with intuitive improvisation. solo. But out from the drums comes a “Loser” is next and is also a very crafty spontaneous “Space” jam with rapid-fire Roll-Off Containers 1-30 Yards rendition. The short and sweet “Cassidy” pecking notes from Jerry that evolves Home Cleanup Containers is pretty and displays Garcia’s crystal into a gorgeous “The Wheel,” and onto clear guitar tone. I’ve never been a fan pedestrian “China Doll.” But abruptly Turn-Key Demolition Services of the Dead’s covering Willie Dixon’s they switch to a double-shot of Chuck “Little Red Rooster” but at least there’s Berry hits; “Around and Around” into DEC Licensed Transfer Station no doses of Weirs (often off key) slide a set closing “Johnny B. Goode,” that guitar playing. The spacey “Bird Song” is sounds a bit rushed. The night is not DEP Licensed Rail Serve performed a little slower than usual and over as the band encores with a tender www.citycarting.net Transfer & Recyling Services this version isn’t very captivating. “Me “Uncle John’s Band” that also offers a and My Uncle” segues into “Big River” somewhat fiery jam, followed by the City Carting of Westchester Licensed Demolition Contractor that features odd sounding keyboard lyric reprise, than Weir opines “Thank Somers Sanitation work from Mydland. Disc one closes you and Goodnight.” Locally Owned & Operated with a sleepy “It Must Have Been the B & S Carting Nick Paumgarten’s (New Yorker Radio Dispatched Roses.” Magazine and previously the senior AAA Paper Recycling Disc two opens with the trio of editor at the New York Observer) liner- Bria Carting Fully Insured - FREE Estimates “Lost Sailor,” “Saint of Circumstance” notes state; “fast or slow, Jerry or Bob, into a strong “Deal” that concludes routine or rare: they nail them all.” I don’t CRP Sanitation the first set positively. The second agree. This is not a bad gig and there are On-Site Document Destruction set kicks off delightfully with a solid some powerful segments, but wherever 800.872.7405 • 203.324.4090 “Scarlet Begonias” that finds its way this recording takes you, it all adds up to Same Day Roll Off Service to the familiar pairing of “Fire On the over three hours of mostly worthwhile 8 Viaduct Road, Stamford, CT 06907 Mountain.” “Samson and Delilah” is at listening that are (at times) impressive. Page 10 THE WESTCHESTER GUARDIAN Thursday, DECEMBER 26, 2013

TECHNOLOGY – CREATIVE DISRUPTION

What Have We Become? this-chart-blows-up-the-myth-of- shellfish budget. “ the-welfare-queen/282452/). This present state of many workers is By JOHN F. McMULLEN mcdonalds-low-wages-come-with-a- both raising the minimum wage and Weissmann says, in part, as he a reversal of the progress of much of the 7-billion-side-of-welfare), American charging back to corporations the amount leads into the very understandable chart twentieth century. Books like The Jungle The Nation Magazine fast food workers receive more than of public assistance that their employees “This month, the Bureau of Labor and the reporting of those called the recently had an article, $7 billion dollars in public assistance. receive (although he sees little chance of the Statistics compared yearly spending “Muckrakers” (such as Lincoln Steffens, “The Workers Who Bring As it turns out, McDonald’s has a latter coming in to effect). between families that use public assis- Ida M Tarbell, and Jacob Riis) raised You Black Friday” (http:// “McResource” line that helps employees While it is probably no great surprise tance programs, such as food stamps and public awareness of the plight of “the www.thenation.com/article/177377/ and their families enroll in various state to many that Wal-Mart and McDonald’s Medicaid, and families that don’t. And working man” and Teddy Roosevelt’s holiday-crush), by Gabriel Thompson, and local assistance programs. It exploded employees are on public assistance, it may surprise, surprise, households that rely on “Trust-Busting” took away some of the detailing his time as a warehouse worker into public view when a recording on the be a surprise that, according to a recent the safety net lead some pretty frugal life- economic power of employers. The in California’s Island Empire packaging McResource line advocated that full-time report (http://therealnews.com/t2/ styles. On average, they spend $30,582 in decision of Henry Ford, father of the iPads (that were made in China and deliv- assembly line, to pay Ford’s workers almost ered en masse to the warehouse shipping twice the prevailing wage so that “they to individual US buyers) and goods could buy his cars” was a signal to workers destined for WalMart for sale. that there was hope to “rise above their The reporting of his experiences (and, station” and the rise of unions reflected having read other books on similar warehous- this hope. The power of unions coupled ing and shipping operations for Amazon and with the need for 100% mobilization for other firms, I accept the accuracy of his state- World War II gave way to the post WWII ments) paint a dismal picture. He and the boom where “the working class” could now thousands of other workers employed in buy homes in the new suburbs (such as these warehouses are over 90% tempo- Levittown) and see their children go off rary workers receiving $9.00 an hour to to college. While it must be admitted that stand on their feet for long hours working the beneficiaries of this boom were, by in on assembly lines while constantly under large, white males, it was the period that pressure to work faster. Those who do not really first saw some balance between the keep up the pace are not invited back (I workers and employers. am reminded of a famous long ago “I Love Many factors led to the reversal of Lucy” program when Lucy and Ethel Mertz this trend. With the majority of Asia and worked on a chocolate conveyer belt – It’s a Europe at peace and the foreign econo- funny skit – but not so funny to those who mies strengthened by such US aid as the lived it – and that was how it was done Marshall Plan, US companies looked to then – 50 years ago and seems to be done establish foreign markets for goods – cars, now -- http://www.youtube.com/ appliances, etc. They also looked to estab- watch?v=HnbNcQlzV-4). lish foreign manufacturing sites to increase Chasing the related goals of effi- profits; conversely, foreign companies ciency, competitiveness, and bringing the looked to build their own products and lowest possible prices to the consumer, our then to export them to the biggest market business community has returned many in the world – the US – and the “put-down” workers to the working life of those in the of the mid-fifties, “like something made in age of Upton Sinclair’s 1906 novel “The employees sign up for food stamps and index.php?option=com_content&ta a year, compared to $66,525 for families Japan,” gave way to the market domination Jungle.” Additionally, firms have success- welfare.” sk=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumi not on public assistance. Meanwhile, they of Sony. The ability of foreign companies, fully, by paying low-wages, moved the cost Ritholz then moves on to Wal-Mart, val=11156), one out of three (1 of 3) New spend a third less on food, half as much such as Sony, Panasonic, Toyota, and of health care and other support services writing “Wal-Mart, the nation’s largest York State bank employees are also on on housing, and 60 percent less on enter- Volkswagen, to establish footholds in the for its workers to the American taxpayer. private sector employer, is also the biggest public assistance. tainment.” After the chart, he concludes US, challenging US mainstay companies An article in Bloomberg consumer of taxpayer supported aid. According The article uses the term “Welfare the brief article with “These figures, drawn led rapidly to the understanding that there Businessweek, hardly a left-wing pub- to Florida Congressman Alan Grayson, in Queens” – this is often a derisive term from the 2011 Consumer Expenditure was now a global marketplace where the lication, by Barry Ritholz, “How many states, Wal-Mart employees are the used by such as Fox News to give the Survey, don’t capture all non-cash perks victors in the competition will be those McDonald’s and Wal-Mart Became largest group of Medicaid recipients. They impression that welfare mothers use the some low-income families get from the who can deliver quality products at the Welfare Queens” (http://www.bloom- are also the single biggest group of food stamp system to live “high on the hog” at tax- government, such as healthcare coverage lowest possible price. berg.com/news/2013-1not 1-13/ recipients. Wal-Mart’s “associates” are paid so payers’ expense. This image is refuted through Medicaid. But they give you a The highest factor in product cost how-mcdonald-s-and-wal-mart- little, according to Grayson, that they receive by Jacob Weissmann’s article in the sense of the kind of tight finances these was labor and the US could not compete became-welfare-queens.html), shows $1,000 on average in public assistance. These December 13th Atlantic Magazine, “This families deal with. Take the food budget: with low foreign wages due to both union that, not only do the employers know amount to massive taxpayer subsidies for Chart Blows Up the Myth of the Welfare There were, on average, 3.7 people in each strength and the high standard of living in what they are causing, they are guiding the private companies.” Queen -- The Bureau of Labor Statistics family on public assistance (I know, that the this country – but soon technologi- workers onto the public dole. Ritholz writes Ritholz points out that “Both shows us the frugal reality of life on the sounds weird, but bear with me). So that cal advancements gave answers to the “according to one study (http://www.busi- McDonald’s and Wal-Mart are engaging in social safety net” (http://www.theatlan- $6,460 spent on food comes out to about problem of labor costs: nessweek.com/articles/2013-10-15/ $34 per person, per week. Not exactly a perfectly legal behavior” and recommends tic.com/business/archive/2013/12/ Continued on page 11 THE WESTCHESTER GUARDIAN Thursday, DECEMBER 26, 2013 Page 11

TECHNOLOGY – CREATIVE DISRUPTION

What Have We Become?

Continued from page 10 or benefits will invariably lead to higher Americans will pay higher taxes than they humans like robots and expect them to work changers normally happen under our personal Robotics – developments in industrial prices and, therefore, would limit the currently do, but the sacrifice will be worth at the speed that robots might. In short, we radar until we find that the world as we robots allowed the replacement of manu- buying power of the poorer people whom it, because they will receive a lot in return.” must slow down and, if it takes another day knew it is no more we wish to help. He concludes the piece with a for the iPad mini to arrive in the customer’s facturing works at an ever-increasing scale. Please send comments to johnmac13@ These are complex social and positive outlook toward the future – “The hands, so be it! “Off-shoring” – the outsourcing gmail.com. Links to other writings, Podcasts, economic problems. The chase for effi- United States has come a long way on the of jobs to foreign countries was made Creative Disruption is a continuing series & Radio Broadcasts at http://www. ciency, innovation, and low costs is road to becoming a good society, but it still possible by the advent of high-speed tele- examining the impact of constantly accelerat- johnmac13.com communications. Now foreign subsidiaries important and must continue but there has further to travel. Happily, its history and ing technology on the world around us. These can be managed as well from the US as if are consequences resulting from these the experiences of other rich nations show the they were in a US city. pursuits; consequences which we should way forward. One reason the United States Intelligent software to manage sales, be discussing, planning for, and dealing is a much better country today than it was traffic, inventory, and measure productivity. with – and we are not! a century ago is that the federal government Elimination of clerical positions Most workers are too busy just trying does more to ensure economic security, equal through on-line bill-paying, on-line to hold on to deal with such planning and opportunity, and shared prosperity. In the ordering, electronic funds transfer, remote our elected officials can’t deal with events future, it will do more still, and the country deposit, etc. in the next month, never mind for the next will be better for it.” The above are just the tip of the ten years – so it’s up to all of us to get angry I know that Kenworthy is not alone iceberg – there are no more film process- and raise these issues publicly; if we don’t, the in his view. A friend and long time man- ing stores in malls (digital photography did warehouse and fast-food jobs may be all that agement consultant Bill Murray feels that them in) and no more music stores (iTunes are left for our college-educated children. American ingenuity will get us through got them); radio shows (mine included) are While my view may sound pessimis- these disruptive times, and whether it’s done from home or office on comput- tic to many (and I am pessimistic for the short shorter hours of some other change, we’ll ers; x-rays are taken in the US, read in range but feel that we will make the changes be alright. India, and reported back to the US. This necessary to smooth out income inequality and I hope that they are right – but, if they is just the beginning – Jeff Bezos plans create jobs), some thinkers on this subject are, one step will have to be the addressing Amazon drone delivery of packages in 30 are not. Lane Kenworthy, in an excerpt of the problems with assembly-line work minutes; the January 2014 Popular Science from his new book, “Social Democratic described by Thompson. The work that he has an article, “How To Print A House” America,” appearing in the January / describes would be better done by robots on the computer design and 3D printing February issue of Foreign Affairs, under – but, as of yet, robots aren’t set up to do of houses – just a beginning to the great the title “America’s Social Democratic the work. Until they can, we can’t treat changes that 3D printing and nanotech- Future,” writes “A larger share of adults will be employed, although for many, the workweek - nology manufacturing will bring. In short, there will be constant disruptive changes will be shorter and there will be more vacation FLEETWOOD which will continue to much more rapidly days and holidays. Nearly all jobs will be in RENOVATED APARTMENTS FOR RENT eliminate jobs than create them. the service sector, especially teaching, advising, How will we, as a society, deal with instructing, organizing, aiding, nursing, these changes? Some have suggested monitoring, and transporting; only around shorter workweeks as a way of employing five percent will be in manufacturing or more people. A major hole in that sug- agriculture. Most Americans will change jobs gestion is the fact that we are in a highly and even careers more frequently than they competitive world and the Chinese won’t do today. More Americans will work in jobs be going to shorter workweeks (although with low pay, will lose a job more than once Germany has cut the work week and gone into during their careers, and will reach retirement “work sharing” -- http://money.cnn.com/ age with little savings. Families, community gallery/news/economy/2013/07/10/ organizations, and labor unions might grow worlds-shortest-work-weeks/5.html even weaker than they are now. Beautiful, Newly Renovated, Spacious 1 Bedroom Apartment but the jury is still out on the impact of this But by filling in the gaps in the public $1350/month move). There will be great resistance to safety net, the federal government will Brand New Kitchens, Living Rooms & Bathrooms • Granite Counter Tops improve economic security, equal oppor- anything that raises employer costs. New Cabinets, Stoves & Refrigerators, Credit Check Required tunity, and shared prosperity for most The costs are a major factor in any Elevator Building • 1 Block from MetroNorth Fleetwood Station • Monthly Parking Nearby changes, such as those required to deal with Americans in spite of these changes. the taxpayer funding of benefits for those A social democratic America will be a Available Immediately Call Management Office for details: employed by Wal-Mart, McDonald’s, etc. society with greater economic security These issues are not as straightforward as and fairness. Its economy will be flexible, 914.632.1230 they might seem. The majority of custom- dynamic, and innovative. Employment ers of these businesses are middle class and will be high. Liberty will be abundant. 80 West Grand Street, Fleetwood poorer people. Any increase in worker pay Balancing work and family will be easier. Page 12 THE WESTCHESTER GUARDIAN Thursday, DECEMBER 26, 2013

EYE ON THEATRE

McPherson Finally Gets It Right By JOHN SIMON a place where there is no time, how can any Tommy, Ciaran Hinds, is a handsome man man say there is no God?” now turned to beefiness, a perfect mixture of Over the years I have not Tommy inhabits a room on the ground fragile insouciance and explosive defensive- been very fond of the work floor of the house of Maurice, his uncle who ness. As Doc, Michael McElhatton is the of Conor McPherson, con- lost his wife to the car of a reckless driver, most amiable of stumblebums, and Brian sidered one of the best living and can’t get over the fact that anniversaries Gleeson, as Kenneth, taut with a tightly Irish playwrights. On the of her death bring only three people to her held-in rottenness. Jim Norton, a McPherson one hand, as in “Port Authority” and “The graveside. Maurice is a curmudgeon and a regular, is a Maurice lovable even in surliness Weir,” there was too much palaver and very heavy drinker, but we sympathize with his and drunkenness. And Caoilphionn Dunne, little action; on the other, the man seems to reproof of Tommy when he descends to with an appeal as undefinable as her name take seriously ghosts, werewolves and the the nephew’s apartment that (as craftily seems unpronounceable, finds a terrific way Devil himself, a character in “The Seafarer.” designed by Soutra Gilmour) is a spectacular of combining vulnerability with toughness. Now it is all right to have the characters mess: dirty dishes, unmade beds, and perva- So there you have it. Not a great play, in the play believe in such things, but not for sive garbage bags. When Tommy tells Doc but a skillful one, savvily produced down the author. As long as we know he is a loony, to discard something, Doc wonders,“Which to Neil Austin’s tricky lighting, and with a a personage in a certain kind of play may one’s the bin?” Comes the answer, “Any one lovely, understatedly romantic ending that even claim to be Napoleon for all we care, of them.” makes you leave thoughtful and fulfilled. but how would we feel if someone in a Neil Whom does Tommy bring into his Production photo of “The Night Alive” Simon comedy presumed to be normal pro- pad? Aimee, an unknown young woman he Caoilfhionn Dunne, Brian Gleeson, Jim Norton, Michael McElhatton and Ciarán Hinds. by and courtesy of Monica Simoes. claimed himself George Washington? observed being thrown out of a car by her Venue Details: Atlantic Theater Well, the good news about McPherson’s DOC: A doctor? No. Why? TOMMY: Doc Martens. boyfriend, beat up and bloodied. Taking Company 336 West 20th Street latest, “The Night Alive,” is that, in spite of AIMEE: He [Tommy] called you Doc. AIMEE: Is your second name Martens? pity, Tommy takes her home. She is rather , South side of West 20th Street, between 8th its somewhat weird title, everybody in this DOC: No, it’s, it’s just short for Brian. DOC: No. My name is Brian De Burea, but touching, even if sometimes resorting to and 9th Avenues, New York, NY 10011. five-character play is sane enough—foolish, AIMEE: How is Doc short for Brian? I used to wear Doc Martens, so . . . prostitution. But nicely: mostly only hand Tickets: Purchase online, or by calling perhaps, or even evil--with no pretense to be jobs rather than outright copulation. DOC: Well, I used to be called Bri—short TOMMY: He has fallen arches. anyone but himself or herself. And things do OvationTix at (866) 811-4111 (9am-9pm The fifth character is Kenneth, the for Brian—but then, em . . . DOC: So people used always call me Docs. happen, onstage as well as off. Monday – Friday, and 10am-6pm Saturday boyfriend, who comes in through the open AIMEE: But why would you need to make AIMEE: Okay. DOC: But that was a bit – Sunday). Still, in itself that is nothing remarkable; garden door (not quite explicably), looking Brian any shorter? long, so . . . we must also be able to empathize with the for Aimee, whereupon mischief proliferates. DOC: Ah, it’s a bit long. AIMEE: Right. John Simon has written for over 50 years on dramatis personae, and, for all their deficien- He nearly kills Doc who, in the absence of AIMEE: You can’t get much shorter than DOC: So now it’s just—[He indicates theatre, film, literature, music and fine arts cies, four of the five characters do win our Tommy, is there, but enough plot summary. Brian. straight ahead] Doc. for the Hudson Review, New Leader, New genuine concern, and the fifth our heartfelt Criterion, National Review, New York What really distinguishes the play DOC: No, Aimee, that’s where you’re wrong contempt. So what is going on here? The dragging out of an elucidation may Magazine, Opera News, Weekly Standard, is the language. None of the characters is there, because, you see, you can. Bri is actually even make people want to drop the whole Broadway.com and Bloomberg News. Mr. There is the protagonist, Tommy, an quite at ease with words. They all speak in two letters shorter. Than Brian. thing, as it here does Aimee. Are these Simon holds a PhD from Harvard University odd-job man in his fifties, with no real pro- incomplete sentences, with sometimes mere AIMEE: But it nearly takes longer to say Bri people ludicrous or just pathetic or both? in Comparative Literature and has taught at fession and with an estranged wife and two gestures to finish a thought. Or else they than Brian, though, doesn’t it? children (all unseen), though not without What they certainly are is painfully real MIT, Harvard University, Bard College and repeat themselves, letting out information DOC: Well that’s why it got shortened some feelings for them. And there is his and not too swift. The repetition of “it’s” and Marymount Manhattan College. in tiny increments, extracting communica- again—to Doc. People don’t have all day partner, nicknamed Doc, in his forties, not the clumsy “there” after “you’re wrong” I find tion as cumbrous as removing the innards of to be saying your name, you know what I To learn more, visit the JohnSimon- even gifted with Tommy’s shrewdness, particularly affecting. a goose before cooking it. Let me give you mean? Uncensored.com website. although capable of sporadic insights, as well The author has directed the play admi- an example. AIMEE: But how do you get Doc out of as of non sequiturs: “When you consider this rably, and the acting couldn’t be better, what Brian? fact that we are just going round and round AIMEE: Are you some kind of a doctor? with its gifted, authentically Irish cast. As QUEST & DISCOVERY

well as explore new ones. Paris’ Moveable Feast My last trip there, in November—an enjoyable time of By LEE DANIELS for Paris is a moveable feast.” year for travelers, in between the peak My time in Paris, one summer summer and Christmas seasons— In his 1950s memoir, on independent study and a year in was to visit my old friend and former A Moveable Feast (pub- graduate school during the 1980s, landlady, Renée, at her home next lished posthumously served as an exhilarating initiation door to the venerable, small hotel in 1964), Ernest to life in one of the world’s most that she has run for decades in the Hemingway wrote, “If you are lucky exciting cultural meccas, so that now, sixth arrondissement, not far from enough to have lived in Paris as a revisiting the city, I am fortunate where Hemingway congregated young man, then wherever you go for enough to be able to enjoy familiar with other writers and artists at a the rest of your life, it stays with you, cityscapes and points of interest, as Continued on page 13 Entrance to Musée du Quai Branly, Paris. THE WESTCHESTER GUARDIAN Thursday, DECEMBER 26, 2013 Page 13

QUEST & DISCOVERY

Paris’ Moveable Feast Continued from page 12 & Company bookstore, now located small library-bookstore on the rue de in the adjacent fifth arrondissement). l’Odéon (which became Shakespeare As on most trips to Paris, I

Les Invalides, Paris. Garden at the Hotel de Nesle, Paris. sought out at least museum I hadn’t seen before, and a restaurant I had not yet tried. I walked across the Seine and THE ROMA BUILDING into the Marais district to the Musée COMMERICAL SPACE FOR RENT Carnavalet, where, inside, I was delighted to find on display such diverse objects of Paris history such as portraits of writer and philosopher Voltaire (1694-1778, the great Paris Exposition of 1889, and the Paris métro under construction (1900-10);

Cour du Commerce Saint-André, Odéon, Paris. Continued on page 14 Relais Christine ($$$$) Museums (Formerly the Abbey of the Grands- Musée Carnavalet If You Go Augustins, ca.1231) (History of Paris in paintings, artifacts, Travel agencies: 8 rue Christine jewelry, furniture, models.) STA Travel 75006 Paris 23, rue de Sévigné Prime Yorktown Location Discount tickets for students and teachers, 011-33-1-4-051-6080 75004 Paris and best rates for adult travelers. www.relais-christine.com 011-33-1-4-459-5858 Great Visibility • Centrally Located New York, NY and Chandler, AZ contact@ www.carnavalet.paris.fr 800-777-0112 Restaurants Musée du Quai Branly OFFICE SPACE: www.statravel.com Au Bon Couscous ($) (Art from Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the 470 Sq. Ft. Rent $850/Month [email protected] Algerian-style couscous, mechoui,, and Americas) tagine. Since 1963. 37, quai Branly 1160 Sq. Ft. Rent $1650/ Month Hotels 7, rue Xavier Privas 75006 Paris Hotel de Nesle ($$) 75005 Paris 011-33-1-5-661-7000 7, rue de Nesle 011-33-1-5-624-3050 www.quaibranly.fr/en STOREFRONT: 75006 Paris La Crémerie-Restauarnt Polidor ($$) Paris City Hall 011-33-1-4-354-6241 (Traditional French fare. Since 1845) 950 Sq. Ft. Rent $3250 /Month Salle Saint Jean www.hoteldenesle.net 41 rue Monsieur Le Prince “For the Love of Paris: Brassaï” 1200 Sq. Ft. Rent $2950/ Month [email protected] 75006 Paris 011-33-1-4-326-9534 (10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., except Sundays and Hotel de la Motte Picquet ($$$) www.polidor.com holidays, until March 8, 2014) 30 Avenue Motte Picquet Tante Marguerite ($$$$) 5 rue de Lobeau 75007 Paris Call for Details: (A Bernard Loiseau restaurant. Noon-2:30, 75004 Paris 011-33-1-4-705-0957 7:00-10:30 p.m.). www.facebook.com/expositionshoteldeville www.hotelmottepicquetparis.com/en 914.632.1230 5, rue de Bourgogne book@ hotelmottepicquetparis.com 75007 Paris 011-33-1-4-551-7942 2022 SAW MILL RIVER RD., www.bernard-loiseau.com YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NY Page 14 THE WESTCHESTER GUARDIAN Thursday, DECEMBER 26, 2013

QUEST & DISCOVERY

Paris’ Moveable Feast Continued from page 13 18th-century Sèvres porcelain tea Marguerite, one of the crown jewels the name should come from a first French stock exchange and National novelist and memoirist Marcel sets; and a model of the Trocadéro of former and renowned restaura- name from Burgundy, so Marguerite Assembly, the restaurant attracts a Proust’s (1871-1922) bedroom; palace. teur, Bernard Loiseau, and his wife was selected, after a number of cel- steady clientele of businessmen and writer Émile Zola’s (1840-1902) pen, When deciding on where to Dominique. ebrated Marguerites in the history of government functionaries. watch and cane; novelist Alphonse sample new French cuisine, I chose When this second of the five res- the region. Daudet’s (1840-1897) pen, eye- a restaurant with my daughter taurants in the Loiseau group opened Located on a side street in the glasses, and letter-opener; late Marguerite’s namesake, Tante in 1999, Dominique suggested that seventh arrondissement near the

First course at Tante Marguerite, Paris.jpg Tante Marguerite head waiter/captain Benoit. Dessert at Tante Marguerite.

GovernmentHEALTHCARE Section NWH CEO Seligman Advises Somers Town Board of Future Healthcare Management Changes By RICH MONETTI At the heart of the delivery is a transfor- management direction. “North Shore Long load, Mary Beth Murphy was not given the where she felt it really belonged. “This town mation in primary care. “What we are saying Island Jewish Network, Montefiore Hospital chance to simply fade away without receiv- runs on volunteers - between the women On Thursday, December to physicians is we don’t want you to offer and Basset Healthcare are already acting as ing accolades from her colleagues. “It can who run the shelter, to all the friends of 12th, the Somers Town fragmented care. With the help of a sophis- their own insurance companies and should be difficult sometimes to sum up a job well Angle Fly who made that a true destination. Board met for the second of ticated electronic medical record systems, we be able to manage the change with much less done over 15 years,” said Board Member These are real valuable assets to the town its two monthly meetings. want you to take a more comprehensive look difficulty”, according to Seligman. Tom Garrity, “but in Mary Beth’s case it’s that bring resources and expertise that we The last of Mary Beth at your patients, take responsibility for refer- On the downside, the overall transi- easy. All you have to do is look around at our wouldn’t normally have,” said Murphy. Murphy’s tenure as supervisor, Northern rals, continuity of care and be more involved tion will have to patiently wait out the beautiful town.” Supervisor Murphy then thanked the Westchester Hospital’s (NWH) CEO Joel in preventative measures,” said Seligman. initial turmoil. “A lot of good will come, but Garrity went on to praise the forward workers in her office who field thousands of Seligman appeared before the board to On a large scale, Seligman likened the not before there’s five or ten years of chaos thinking management that allowed the town phone calls every year. “They always take calls keep Somers abreast of healthcare changes sea change to the Kaiser Health model in the because you’re really throwing a deck of cards to overcome the 2% tax cap in the worst with grace and kindness, which then reflects stemming mostly from the Affordable Care Midwest where they cover millions across a in the air and hoping for it to come down in economy since the depression, Murphy’s positively on me,” said Murphy. Act, and the recent shake up of the Stellaris wide region. “This will drive enormous cost some ordered way,” said Seligman. commitment to affordable housing and Health Network. Up next for Murphy were the individ- savings, and move us away from a fee for For Northern Westchester Hospital’s leadership in preserving open spaces such ual departments and their heads. “They take “In terms of cost per capita,” said service model”, he added. part, they hope to ride out as much diffi- as the Angle Fly Preserve property. “Mary a genuine interest in doing their job well, and Seligman, “we spend roughly twice as much In other words, care will be delivered culty as possible by staying focused on high Beth always found a way to take our town’s that makes our job super easy,” said Murphy. on healthcare than any other industrialized more on a fixed yearly sum and keep con- quality patient-centric care and keeping resources and use them to the best economy,” nation. At the same time, our life expectancy Finally, she thanked her family for their nected to outcome based results, while costs low. But moving forward, the long time said Garrity. rates around average or below average. So support through 15 years of public service, limiting treatments that fail to adhere to Stellaris Network of NWH, Phelps, White Board Member Anthony Cirieco we’re not getting great value for our money.” while leaving her colleagues on the board existing and developing evidence. “There’s Plains Hospital and Lawrence Hospital has proceeded to pile on in regards to the super- with some parting advice. “Do what you As such, with hospitals accruing 17.9% actually not evidence for a lot of what goes dissolved and Northern Westchester is cur- visor’s softer side. “You’re always in touch think is right in your heart, and you will of costs, Northern Westchester is moving on in medicine,” said Seligman, “and part of rently looking for like-minded partners to with people who need help from us – the always be making the right decision,” she in accordance with change that is spread- the process involves research based verifica- address the coming challenges. government, but you also understood the concluded. ing across the nation. “Accountable Care tion on medical procedures.” The board then thanked Seligman for limits of government. At the same time, you Organizations will hopefully provide better Rich Monetti has been a freelance writer since The ease of each transition here will go keeping them connected to the situation seem to tap into everybody’s volunteerism,” coordination of care, less duplication of care, 2003 and lives in Westchester. in accordance with models that are already and moved on to rubber stamp the 2014 said Cirieco. and rely on more evidence based medicine,” moving in this broad based population budget and the consensus agenda. A light Supervisor Murphy put the latter praise said Seligman. THE WESTCHESTER GUARDIAN Thursday, DECEMBER 26, 2013 Page 15

POLITICS

Say it Ain’t So Charlie – Television Icon Crumbles under Cheney Gaze By BOB MARRONE all my adult life. He is the only inter- viewer whom I ever used as a role model. At last, after nearly 20 His shows are nourishing food for my years of venom, slander, brain. On Sundays I actually tune into detraction, and outright Bloomberg Radio so I can listen to hatred directed at pro- Brunch with Charlie Rose, and hear all gressive presidents and of that week’s interviews one after the polices, a credible person has revealed other. I know this is dramatic, but to what really is in the dark hearts of the sort of quote Michael Corleone to his far right. He is, of course, meaner than brother Freedo, Charlie, you broke my a speeding bullet, able to leap over other heart. Why did you let the absolutely politicians in a single bound, more most precious moment to find out why powerful than a Republican president; they hate him so much slip away? Why he is… Dick Cheney. Once disguised did you not ask Cheney what he and his as a rational Chief of Staff and Defense cohorts think Obama is trying to do? Secretary for a great democratic nation, There it was Charlie, the possible answer he now fights a never-ending battle for to why sitting congressmen shout out ruthlessness, malace and the Tea Party at State of the Union addresses; or why way. Supreme Court justices shake their I am glad I got that off my chest. heads in the same public forum; or My point is that he is a bright why an entire Republican Party placed competent man who, I confess, I have the economy at risk on more than one admired in many ways. He dedicated him on Charlie Rose recently when he on the serious issues of the day, asked stopping just short of describing the occasion; and you blew it. Why did you his life to this country and, even when responded to a question by the host in Chaney the ultimate question; one that current United States head of state as give him a pass? Please say it ain’t so? I did not agree with him, I always felt a way that says all you need to know really is the mother of all questions about treasonous. But I did not panic. I knew We did learn one thing though. Any he had this country’s interests at heart. about the bias of the far right, and why a president one might disagree with. that Charlie Rose would not let it go expectation of the far right dealing with As good old Machiavelli made clear, I they have treated Barack Obama the It was simple, direct, and to the point. and I waited with baited breath. I was Obama in good faith is fruitless. They thought the interests of the state are not way they have. It also added insight into Charlie… and he is very much a Charlie convinced Rose would ask Cheney what really do believe he is something other always compatible with ethics or prin- why they pursued President Clinton so to me now never to be a Chuck… asked Obama’s priorities were and what, or than an American who loves his country. ciple. I have read his books and was glad fiercely, even if doing so was to hurt the Chaney whether, despite his differences whose, interest he did have in his heart? Somewhere in the angry souls of the when he beat the system to get a new country at large, as it surely did when with the president’s policies whether Nothing! far right is an essence, a basic belief that heart. Although, proof that it is the brain they criticized his bombing of Osama Obama had the country’s best interest might have shed more light on what it is and not the heart that makes the man, Charlie moved on. The last time I Bin Laden’s presumed hideout as at heart. Cheney replied that Obama that drives their animus. My favorite inter- his new ticker is as rock hard as the one felt this way was when Jack Ruby shot “wagging the Dog,” not to mention the did not. Rose expressed surprise at the viewer blew the chance to find out why. surgeon’s took from his chest. Oswald and we never got to know why. endless distractions over what he did or answer saying to the effect that it was In any case, it is safe to say that I have been a fan of Charlie Rose did not do with women. In was, in my quite something to say about a sitting Cheney is the most accomplished and view, the beginning of what culminated president. respected figure on America’s far right. on the TV show under discussion. I was shocked to the point of near Thus, I was shocked while watching Rose, after a lengthy give and take disbelief. A former vice-president was GOVERNMENT Before speaking to the police...call George Weinbaum Incoming City Council President Liam McLaughlin ATTORNEY AT LAW Disappoints Many Yonkersites Before Taking Office

By HEZI ARIS $120,000 per annum. While it is fully and is likely to still be wanting. FREE CONSULTATION: appreciated that Kathy Spring Spencer Close associate Steve Tvert will likely The deep ties incoming Criminal, Medicaid/Medicare Fraud Matters and Liam McLaughlin have a good hold some office under McLaughlin’s Yonkers City Council working relationship, her return to auspices but it has yet to be proven. White-Collar Crime & Healthcare Prosecutions President has engaged City Hall diminishes the likelihood and nurtured during In the meanwhile, McLaughlin’s of a “new beginning” for the incoming his many years in office incoming entourage has begun the T. 914.948.0044 F.914.686.4873 Yonkers City Council President Liam have him churning up the likes of process of measuring the offices of the McLaughlin. Many Yonkersites’ hopes Kathy Spring Spencer. She will be the City Council President. The walls will will be dashed by this move alone. Kathy 175 MAIN ST., SUITE 711-7 • WHITE PLAINS, NY 10601 next City Council President’s Chief be painted, new carpets laid; but most Spring Spencer’s reputation precedes her of Staff. Her salary approximately Continued on page 16 Page 16 THE WESTCHESTER GUARDIAN Thursday, DECEMBER 26, 2013

GOVERNMENT

McLaughlin Disappoints Yonkersites Before Taking Office nd Continued from page 15 Kathy Spring Spencer’s mind when she the next Yonkers City Council or another Democratic side. Who will be chosen Pineda (2 District) who may lean sup- was Chief of Staff to her husband, the person will be presented to replace her. the Yonkers City Council Minority portively toward Johnson. The youth of costly will be the interior accoutrements, former Yonkers Mayor John Spencer. The other issue with the Yonkers Leader? Will it be Christopher Johnson Yonkers Young Democrats may win the st nd desks and the like will be taken out of She earned the reputation for stealthy City Council is the fact that Steve Alfasi, (1 District) or Michael Sabbatino (2 day. We will simply have to wait for the the budget allotted for the president’s misconduct. Counsel from Kathy Spring counsel to the Yonkers City Council District)? Johnson espouses Democratic results. These issues are always fought office. Will the costs ever be revealed? Spencer is starting off from a bad place in Republicans will continue his services tenets with fervor while Sabbatino behind closed doors. Not likely. Do we have the money? The governance. having earned support from the future believes he is the conciliatory force that The names are superfluous, inconse- Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanza, and Yonkers Inspector General Kitley Yonkers City Council Majority Leader moves issues forward with his colleagues quential, if you will. What matters is that Happy New Year cheer is riddled with an Covill has not gained another term in John Larkin. Mark Constantine, long across the political divide. The battle the public interest will again be dismissed anticipated $100 million plus deficit. So office. Likely as former Inspector General time friend and law partner will also pits Johnson, employed by Democratic by the calculating and cold Kathy Spring much for cheer. Phil Zisman, who maintained his respon- gain a position as counsel to the Yonkers Conference Leader Senator Andrea Spencer. This will be the beginning of a Were this process not hush, hush; sibilities in office until the balance of his City Council. Christian DiPalermo is Stewart-Cousins against Sabbatino, long legacy of disappointment from a city rather if it were made public, this under term saw Dan Schorr earn the position by expected to continue to represent the whose partner / husband is employed by needing more than a repeat of the suffer- the radar conduct will put a kabosh on former Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone, so Democrats as their counsel. Assemblymember Shelley Mayer. The ing they endured at her hand in the days the public’s expectations. This is the it is assumed I.G. Covill will remain true The battle royale will be on the deciding factor may fall on Johnson’s of former Yonkers Mayors John Spencer typical conduct that emanated from to the office until she gains approval by friend, Councilmember-elect Corazon and Phil Amicone. MAYOR Marvin’s COLUMN GOVERNMENT Village of Bronxville in the Best Financial Shape in Recent History By MARY C. MARVIN In the General Fund, we ended the major revenue source at only $20,018. of $152,700.95 representing an increase of The Village audit, as discussed, is avail- fiscal year of May 2013 with an operat- On the expenditure side, we saw small $35,511.34 as compared to the same period able for review either on-line or at Village At the Board of Trustees’ ing surplus of $647,426 on a budget of savings in a multitude of departments due last year translating into a healthy 30.30% Hall. In addition, our Village Finance December meeting, our $13,829,824, thus increasing our fund to tighter budget estimates and watchful uptick. Committee will further evaluate our finan- Village auditors from the balance to $3,222,350 or 22% of our subse- internal management, including general The Trustees will begin reviewing cials in a very comprehensive line-by-line firm of O’Connor Davies quent year’s operating budget. The amount administration, street maintenance, sanitary the distinct 2013/2014 Capital Projects analysis with the auditors present at a presented their review of our of fund balance is a standard benchmark in sewer service, police/public safety and the spending plan in January with adoption of January meeting chaired by Finance Liaison, financial statements for the budget year June municipal bond ratings and this healthy per- planning and zoning functions. Unlike other that plan in early 2014 in conjunction with Deputy Mayor Robert Underhill. 1, 2012 to May 31, 2013. centage will allow us to maintain our AAA years, fuel costs remained relatively flat. our upcoming budget season. This upcoming budget will be the I am pleased to report we are in the best bond rating, the highest we can achieve and Our pension payment of $1.5 million Most capital expenditures are the big last one prepared by our Village Treasurer, financial shape in recent history. indispensable for advantageous borrowing. and health care benefits obligation totaling ticket items including police cars, garbage Robert J. Fels, Jr. who is retiring in the The Village received an unquali- Our positive variance in the General $1.4 million continue to be major drivers in trucks and road re-surfacing which are spring after 23 years of exemplary service to fied opinion which is the highest grading Fund resulted from a combination of oper- our budget and show no signs of abating. financed through the issuance of debt, Bronxville. Bob has been a steady hand and possible equating to full compliance with ating revenues coming in over budget and Our Library continues to operate making our bond rating so determinative. a fiscal watchdog and a major reason for our generally accepted accounting principles as operating expenditures remaining below frugally and within budget. If a project is funded through the issuance sound financial management. We wish him well as all the standards promulgated by the budget estimates. of debt, any remaining balance on a project the best in life’s next chapter. New York State Comptroller’s Office. Continuing on a very positive note, In the revenue category, building permit the first half numbers in our current fiscal may only be applied to pay off subsequent Our financial statements include three Mary C. Marvin is the mayor of the Village of income was significantly over budget due to year are demonstrating a very positive debt service. If a capital project is financed operating funds titled General Fund, Library Bronxville, New York. If you have a suggestion the hospital project as well as a robust home upswing, most notably in parking revenues via the General Fund such as computers and Debt Service. Our Capital Project Fund or comment, consider directing your perspective improvement trend. We also saw small incre- and sales tax collections. In addition, for and printers, any surplus may be returned to is not under this heading because capital by directing email to [email protected]. ments in our sales tax and Gross Receipts the period of April 1, 2013 to September the General Fund. As of May 31, 2013, the projects stay on the books until completed Tax revenues and parking permit fees. 30, 2013, we received a mortgage tax check Village has $2.7 million in current capital and there is not a uniform yearly closeout. Sadly, interest income is no longer a from Westchester County in the amount projects. GOVERNMENT ‘Tis The Season To Be Jolly - Many Are Called But Salaries Are Frozen By HEZI ARIS closely with the Mayor’s Chief of Staff Steve The change meets specific criteria. First, it she would not be legally qualified to become CoY, as demanded by the Yonkers City Levy who has accepted a change of respon- satisfies the protocol of succession. Should mayor. The designated future Yonkers 2nd Charter, the protocol of succession will now YONKERS, NY -- sibilities. Steve Levy will become Yonkers the mayor be incapacitated or elect to gain Deputy Mayor Steve Levy would qualify be miraculously met by this legal backtrack- Yonkers Mayor Mike 2nd Deputy Mayor. Gerry and Levy have higher office and need to vacate the office of to accede to the office of mayor because he ing maneuver. It is somewhat comforting to Spano has chosen to make worked tirelessly with respect to economic mayor, the deputy mayor would succeed him. does resides in CoY. The two-year hiatus recognize that Yonkers City Hall is cogni- some changes in City Hall. development issues. The change is more than Since Deputy Mayor Gerry has not satisfied from Gerry’s appointment to the present, zant of complying with the law, as Yonkers Firstly, Yonkers Deputy an unimportant “musical chairs” scenario. her domicile in the City of Yonkers (CoY), whereby she did not take up residence in Mayor Sue Gerry will now work more Continued on page 17 THE WESTCHESTER GUARDIAN Thursday, DECEMBER 26, 2013 Page 17

GOVERNMENT

Don’t Waste Your Many Are Called But Salaries Are Frozen Time Anywhere Else Continued from page 16 Denise Egiziaco, Executive Assistant of David Jackson as the new City Assessor. The New Tribune has been demanding despite the law to Mayor Mike Spano will become the next Jackson begins his service in Yonkers follow- being blind in CoY. Chief of Staff to Mayor Mike Spano. ing 13 years as the Executive Director of the nd Levy’s appointment to Yonkers 2 Levy advised that the Office of the Westchester County Tax Commission. Deputy Mayor may be construed as a slight Mayor will not incur any additional costs “David brings 30 years of experience to incoming Yonkers City Council President in payroll even though Mr Levy and Ms to the Assessor’s Office and is an ideal Liam McLaughlin who will now be forced Egiziaco will indeed take on greater responsi- candidate to build on our efforts providing to comply with a process that has been ille- bility than their present service, no additional Yonkers taxpayers with a more fair and effi- gally tolerated for two years that will now remuneration will be earned. Mayor Mike cient assessment process,” said Mayor Spano. preclude him from being next in line to Spano will not increase the budget of his The new Assessor will be responsible for accede to the office of mayor except for Levy office with respect to these changes. overseeing the establishment of the assessed now being insinuated into the new legal In other news, Yonkers Mayor Mike value for all property within the municipal protocol / standard for 2014 onward. Spano today announced the appointment boundaries of the City of Yonkers.

ClubNew York THE BOGEN PERSPECTIVE Continue Stumbling and Grumbling or Make Elections Work By BOB K. BOGEN problems, national health care needs, and decent democracy. NEW YORK’S all the international challenges of immigra- Until the recent pathetic self-destruc- It should be abundantly clear tion reform, extraordinary trade defeats, life tion of the Republican Party, it became clear that our electoral democ- threatening nuclear proliferation, global that our two political parties were joined in racy is not functioning. Even climate change, et cetera. a cannibalistic dance. In a simple two-party PREMIER Republican leaders, such as The failure of our so-called House of electoral competition each is forced to nibble the majority leader of our Representatives serves as a sad poster-child at each others’ voters in order to attain, or federal House of Representatives, House of our failed, ancient, elite controlled and cor- expand, a majority control of government, Speaker John Boehner, has had to vigorously GENTLEMEN’S rupted election system, with help from their but then they approach being Tweedle speak out against the grotesque performance control of corporate media, print as well as Dee and Tweedle Dum Parties. A multi- of the his Grand Old Party this year under electronic. party system forces a broader view. We had the pathetic, stupid control by Tea Party As regular readers know, the House awkward glimpses of a crucial third party CABARET extremists, particularly this year. control by the Republicans exists in the hazard with Ross Perot and with Ralph At long last he apparently realized his face of the Republican-Tea Party national Nader, with ‘spoiler candidates’ potential party, and his own leadership, were headed electoral defeat in terms of the voting in the disastrous consequences for the party they over a political cliff in public disgust and Escape Reality… last election. Republicans lost by 1,400,000 mostly represent. electoral defeat in any upcoming elections. votes, but won clear control of the House by But what makes a multiparty system Unfortunately, Boehner did not exercise defeating democracy with Gerrymandering work is use of the Choice Ballot. It is some- leadership, as House Speaker, in recent Escape to The VIP Club! Congressional Districts to concentrate times known as the Preferential Ballot, the months to speak out to prevent the insane Democratic voters into fewer Districts, Hare Ballot [named for its key innovator in and expensive “Shut Down” of our federal leaving a majority of Congressional Districts the late nineteenth century], the Transferable government this fall. The attempt to hold First Class Adult Entertainment, safely under their control. Ballot, the Instant Runoff Voting Ballot, the government hostage to their ignorant Along with all the other truly nefarious the Proportional Representation Ballot Sushi Bar and Lounge. budget demands cost the nation significant tricks of Voter Suppression of ‘unreliable,’ or simply PR . New York Mayor Fiorello loss of services to millions of citizens and less affluent, elderly, on-duty military, or LaGuardia established an excellent ten-year billions of dollars is cash from the rest of us. minority qualified voters, who might, horror City Council use of PR in the late 1930s and HAPPY HOUR @ THE VIP! No one has dared to suggest they, at of horrors, vote for Democrats, they have early ’40s. PR made it possible for members least personally, cover those costs themselves, further demonstrated their hate of democ- to be elected at-large in each Borough, 2-For-1 Drinks or perhaps from their billionaire support- racy and its elections. avoiding the commonly undemocratic use ers who provide the enormous cash for Mon – Sat Before 9PM A few major courts have thrown out of aldermanic Single-Member Districts campaign expenditures to elect them, and so some such near-treasonous tactics, but with resulting Gerrymandering, once again own them. even the “Formerly” Supreme Court has, in rampant in Single Member Districts for COMPLIMENTARY ADMISSION All this is to say we got “real trouble major-major decisions, gone along with the New York City Council elections. right here in River City,” our New York ‘elite’ monarchist minority party. The New York Times, last weekend, rec- FOR TWO WITH THIS PASS metropolitan region on the Hudson, and all Our current and continuing concen- ognized the crucial nature of such problems the way, “from California to the New York tration of economic and resulting political and ran a Times Sunday Dialog with Island.” Even beyond, around the world, our power structure simply will not permit the comments of serveral readers responding to a 20 W. 20th ST. (btwn 5th & 6th) friends and ‘competitors’ wince or shake their application of lessons learned around the Letter to the Editor, several days earlier, by a heads in disbelief at the petty childishness of world over more than the last century, which German Professor, Peter Bartelmus suggest- our electoral system foundering and stum- s would at last make possible a functional and ing consideration of Multi-Party Elections. 212-633-1199 thevipclubnyc.com bling in the face of severe national economic Continued on page 18 Page 18 THE WESTCHESTER GUARDIAN Thursday, DECEMBER 26, 2013

THE BOGEN PERSPECTIVE

Continue Stumbling and Grumbling or Make Elections Work real estate the U.S. Supreme Court as grossly unrep- Bob K. Bogen served as comprehensive long- Continued from page 17 Bartelmus is on to a basic and disas- resentative, just a few years ago, as it gave range facilities planning director for the trous flaw in our current politics, stumbling the Borough President of Statin Island the New York Metropolitan Regional Planning BRONX APARTMENTS to achieve a minimally functional democracy. same power on the Board of Estimate as the Commission; as planning director for the FOR RENT An evolving world, moving in many nations Borough President of Manhattan. However New England Regional Commission; as a to establish a functional and decent democ- Cambridge Massachusetts, one of our more major United Nations official in Pakistan; Newly renovated Bronx Apartments for Rent racy, is surely crying, if not laughing out of educated communities, has remained happy Board Chairman of the Communications Near public transportation & shopping. to use Choice Balloting for many decades, Coordinating Committee for the United embarrassment from their historic respect for Rent includes heat & hot water. our Constitution, to observe, especially in the as well as San Francisco other cities around Nations; and Principal Representative of last few years, our inane and deeply frustrat- the world. Architects / Designers / Planners for Social $25 non-refundable credit check. ing electoral system with its grotesque actions Isn’t it time for us to join elections for Responsibility to the United Nations. 1 BR Starting at $1150/Month and consequences. truly representative government? 3Br. Starting at $1600/Month Proportional Representation, known for decades as PR, long before PR became a No Broker Fee • 24Hr on-site Super reference to Public Relations has not revealed LEGAL NOTICES Call Maria: expression and understanding of the depth and (FILED: WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLERK 12/09/2013) INDEX NO. 54306}2013 breadth of the enormous historic potential and NYSCEF DOC. NO. 23 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 12/09/2013 914.632.1230 variety of uses for its balloting technology. SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER The simple application of its Choice PennyMac Corp. Index No. 54306/2013 Balloting is in election of a single official, Plaintiff, help wanted such as a mayor, governor, senator, or presi- dent of the United States. This application -against- SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS is known as Instant Runoff Voting, or IRV. Sybil Gordon, Executrix and specific devisee under The Last Plaintiff designates Westchester HELP WANTED Will & Testament of Rochelle Gordon, George Anthony Tyrrell, County as the place of trial. It eliminates the delay, substantial costs and specific devisee under The Last Will & Testament of Rochelle Venue is based upon the County very serious disabilities of poor-turnout Gordon, and Stephen Peter Gordon, specific devisee under in which the Mortgage premises CITY OF STAMFORD, CT IS situated. runoff elections as well as totally eliminat- The Last Will & Testament of Rochelle Gordon, if living and if COLLECTIONS SYSTEMS SUPERVISOR – WPCA ing the disasters of ‘spoiler candidates’ such as any be dead, any and all persons who are spouses, widows, grantees, mortgagees, lienor, heirs, devisees, distributees, or (Water Pollution Control Authority) Perot and Nader. successors in interest of such of the above as may be dead, The more complex and dramatic and their spouses, heirs, devisees, distributees and succes- Annual Salary Range: $74,805 – $96,237 sors in interest, all of whom and whose names and places of application of Choice Balloting is for multi- residences are unknown to Plaintiff, Sidney Thomas Gordon, Applications can be obtained at the member [public or private] representative specific devisee under The Last Will & Testament of Rochelle City of Stamford Human Resources Division, 9th Floor bodies which can be elected at-large and Gordon, Pacific Security LLC, Security Pacific Financial Services, Inc., Household Finance Realty Corporation of New 888 Washington Boulevard, can therefore truly be the desired ‘conden- York, New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, sation of the electorate], thus proportional United States of America Stamford, Connecticut representation not at all likely with ‘single- TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT(S): or at member districts’. At the same time almost YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your Answer www.cityofstamford.org. any possibility of the current serious hazard or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a Notice of Appearance on the attorneys for of Gerrymandering ‘single-member district’ the plaintiff within twenty (20) days after service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within boundaries is totally eliminated. thirty (30) days after 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 LEGAL NOTICES The historic and broadly judged very the relief demanded in the Complaint. successful experiment of Mayor LaGuardia PRINCE 26, LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. Notice of Formation of R. Maffei Enterprises NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT only ended when an elected flamboyant left- of State (SSNY) 5/5/04. Office in Westchester LLC. Articles Of Organization filed with NY THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure up to $121,000.00 and Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom Secretary of State on June 20, 2013. Office winger made it possible for the well heeled interest, recorded in the Office of the Clerk of the County of WESTCHESTER on September 21, 1988, in Liber process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy Location: 340 Central Ave., White Plains, NY usual suspects to eliminate his City Council 12604, Page 59, covering premises known as 127 South 12th Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY 10550. of process to Veracity Development 199 Lafay- 10606, County of Westchester. NY Secretary ette St #1A New York, NY 10012. Purpose: Any of State designated as agent of the LLC upon and establish the decades of the Board of The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above lawful activity. whom process against it may be served. NY Estimate, finally ruled unconstitutional by to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above. Secretary of State shall mail process to: 84 Notice of Formation of 578 East Fordham LLC. Highview Avenue, Nanuet, NY 10954. Purpose: NOTICE: YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 9/4/2013. Of- any lawful purpose. WESTCHESTER GUARDIAN If you do not respond to this Summons and Complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for fice Location: Westchester County. SSNY LEGAL ADVERTISING: the Mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the designated as agent of the LLC upon whom NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABIL- court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. process against it may be served. SSNY shall ITY COMPANY (LLC). NAME: NARVEN Co, LLC 914.576.1480 mail process to William Fleming, 16 Bronx St, Articles of Organization were filed with the 10:30AM-5PM Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to Tuckahoe, NY 10707. Purpose: any lawful pur- Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on answer the Summons and protect your property. pose. 09/23/13 Office location: Westchester County. Sending a payment to your Mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) NOTICE OF FORMATION OF Psychiatric NP upon whom process against it may be served. AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Therapeutics, PLLC. Arts of Org filed with Secy SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: The LLC, of State of NY (SSNY) on 9/24/13. Office loca- 233 Hessian Hills Road, Croton on Hudson, Dated: Williamsville, New York October 22, 2013 tion: Westchester County. SSNY designated New York 10520, principal business location /signed/ agent upon whom process may be served and of the LLC. Purpose: wholesale pharmaceuti- By: Stephen J. Wallace, Esq. Frenkel, Lambert, Weiss, Weisman & Gordon, LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff shall mail copy of process against PLLC to cal sales. 53 Gibson Street principal business address: 481 Main St., Ste. Bay Shore, New York 11706 (631) 969-3100 303A, New Rochelle, NY 10801. Purpose: Any Our File No.:01-057505-FOO lawful activity. THE WESTCHESTER GUARDIAN Thursday, DECEMBER 26, 2013 Page 19

GOVERNMENT THE WESTCHESTER GUARDIAN THURSDAy, DECEMBER 19, 2013 Page 19

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