PRESORTED STANDARD PERMIT #3036 WHITE PLAINS NY

Vol. V No. XIIIL Thursday, November 17, 2011 $1.00 Westchester’s Most Influential Weekly

Healthcare Reform and Small Business Continuing to Page 5 Aging Dams Threatened Encourage the Page 10

The Bo-Keys Live Public / Private Page 12

Partnerships Barrels of Fun Page 13 By MARY C. MARVIN, The 2% Page 16 Revving The Property Tax Horses in a CTS-V Page 14

(Levy) Cap Death Is Still Certain Page 19 By PETER SWIDERSKI, Page 17 Where No Birds Sing Page 20 Ms. McDow’s Conduct Is It Was the Time of Unbecoming an Elected Official Heroes By HEZI ARIS, Page 18 Page 22

westchesterguardian.com Page 2 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011 Page 3

RADIO Of Significance

Community Section...... 4 Books...... 4 Westchester Guardian Radio Network Business...... 5 Calendar...... 6 NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Guardian Radio Network, WGRN, operated Economy...... 7 under the auspices of Hezitorial Absurdity, Inc. president Hezi Aris, continues Education...... 7 to build its programing day on the Blog TalkRadio platform. In addition History...... 8 to Westchester On the Level with Richard Narog and Hezi Aris, are And Nothing But the Truth - Coast Housing...... 10 to Coast with Frank Vernuccio, Jr., and Larry L. Allison, and The Conservative Torch with Carmine Infrastructure...... 10 Torchetti, Jr. Herein is the schedule for the week of November 14 – 18, 2011. Energy...... 10 Legal...... 11 Some of Richard Narog and Hezi Aris’ guests this coming week are: Purchased Power author Mental Health...... 12 Dennis Sheehan.Yonkers. Music...... 12 Listen to our radio programs live by clicking onto the following hyperlinks: Spoof...... 13 Eye On Theatre...... 13 Westchester on the Level -http://www.blogtalkradio.com/westchesteronthelevel; Tansportation...... 14 And Nothing But the Truth – Coast to Coast –http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ Government Section...... 16 westchesteronthelevel/and-nothing-but-the-truth--coast-to-coast; and Mayor Marvin’s Column...... 16 Mayor Swiderski’s Column...... 17 The Conservative Torch –http://www.blogtalkradio.com/westchesteronthelevel/ OpEd Section...... 18 the-conservative-torch. Hezitorial...... 18 Each show may be heard live or on demand. Choose from an MP3 download option, or peruse Current Commentary...... 19 our audio archives. The hyperlink to each respective interview becomes active within a half-hour of the Memorial...... 20 ending of an interview so as to allow for on demand listening. New York Civic...... 20 Conservative Torch...... 21 Recognizing that we shamelessly solicit your participation, you are invited to participate by calling Weir onluy Human...... 21 us toll-free at 1-877-674-2436. All we ask is that you stay on topic with regard to your question and Letters to the Editor...... 22 / or your statement. Legal Notices...... 23

Mission Statement The Westchester Guardian is a weekly newspaper devoted to the unbiased reporting of events and developments that are newsworthy and significant to readers living in, and/or employed in, Westchester County. The Guardian will strive to report fairly, and objectively, reliable infor- mation without favor or compromise. Our first duty will be to the EP OPLE’S RIGHT TO Westchester’s Most Influential Weekly KNOW, by the exposure of truth, without fear or hesitation, no matter where the pursuit may lead, in the finest tradition of REEDF OM OF THE PRESS. Guardian News Corp. The Guardian will cover news and events relevant to residents and busi- nesses all over Westchester County. As a weekly, rather than focusing P.O. Box 8 on the immediacy of delivery more associated with daily journals, New Rochelle, New York 10801 we will instead seek to provide the broader, more comprehensive, chronological step-by-step accounting of events, enlightened with Sam Zherka , Publisher & President analysis, where appropriate. [email protected] From amongst journalism’s classic key-words: who, what, when, Hezi Aris, Editor-in-Chief & Vice President where, why, and how, the why and how will drive our pursuit. We will use our more abundant time, and our resources, to get past the [email protected] initial ‘spin’ and ‘damage control’ often characteristic of immediate Advertising: (914) 562-0834 news releases, to reach the very heart of the matter: the truth. We will take our readers to a point of understanding and insight which News and Photos: (914) 562-0834 cannot be obtained elsewhere. Fax: (914) 633-0806 To succeed, we must recognize from the outset that bigger is not Published online every Monday necessarily better. And, furthermore, we will acknowledge that we cannot be all things to all readers. We must carefully balance Print edition distributed Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday the presentation of relevant, hard-hitting, Westchester news and commentary, with features and columns useful in daily living and Graphic Design: Watterson Studios, Inc. employment in, and around, the county. We must stay trim and flexible www.wattersonstudios.com if we are to succeed. westchesterguardian.com Page 4 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011 CommunitySection BOOKS The Retired (Try To) Strike Back—Chapter 26 – When to Give Up as a woman, accept that because we didn’t By ALLAN LUKS emphasize women enough that the film’s Only a dozen people “We’ll have to contact editors and And better relationships between all kinds themes can’t succeed? And I’m thinking: had shown up for their reporters with new angles about the film’s of groups are what our divided society needs maybe there’ll be complaints about other lecture in the large first-floor importance,” replied Steven. “It’s difficult but now. Senior women, we think, rather than aspects of the film. Who knows what’s next?” reading room of the old possible.” men, have more potential to become a “What they say sounds right,” replies stone library. Now, as the And now, with the rest of the audience successful, new leadership resource. I should Nancy, “although other women may not agree. talk ends, the few audience members slowly gone, the two women rise and approach add that both of us were college professors, Our group has to meet and decide whether come to the front of the room to thank them. Nancy and Steve. They introduce themselves, teaching sociology, and we’re current with the to stop showing and discussing the film until But two women remain seated. saying they’ve been friends since high school research—“ we have a new strategy for media and women. When Nancy and her husband, Steven, and their children and now grandchildren are “The film’s message now is like saying But if f we do that, it’ll take time.” first arrived, they helped the maintenance man friends. They look at each other, as if recog- anyone who wants can go to bat in the game, “As we talk, I think about what we have set up eighty folding chairs. They expected nizing this accomplishment. rather than creating a strategic batting order to do to get people to continue to notice the one hundred people but wanted to be cautious. One woman says, “The film and then with the strongest players leading from the film and our group. Just to deal with the prob- Just before their talk began at eight your talk impressed us with your sincerity.” start,” interrupts her friend. lems we know of now. The truth is, it makes o’clock, they walked out of the still mostly Steven and Nancy nod. “Since there are far more men than me feel tired. Should I be part of a group empty reading room and into the library’s “But we believe there’s a problem,” the women in politics,” she continues, “your film pushing the retired to take on the challenge hallway, speaking softly. second woman says. “The film and your is more likely to convince retired men to run, of becoming public leaders? Are there many They both noted that large audiences had discussion emphasize seniors having a need who will probably have less chance of winning. like me? When did this feeling happen? I been attracted to the film presentation and for honesty and to do things right and quickly. The only solution would be for your group to mean, it seems so quick. Is there a way to get then discussion given by other members of These qualities, which the film focuses on announce it’s recruiting women to kick off this rid of it?” their group promoting The Retired Person’s and you believe the public recognizes, give political challenge. Call for your players with Allan Luks is a nationally recognized social Dating Film. Tonight’s small crowd, they voter appeal to the retired and so many should the best statistics. We’re into sports, as you can works leader and advocate for volunteerism. agreed, was because of the lack of media atten- consider getting involved in politics as their see—But we enjoyed this evening and your He is the former head of Big Brothers, Big tion now compared to the many reviews and last big challenge. But you and the film fail effort to speak in our community.” Sisters of New York and is currently a visiting articles that appeared three months ago when to say women should lead this opportunity—“ Waiting for the women to leave, Steven professor at Fordham University, where he the film was released and the group’s other The woman who spoke first, interrupts, now says to Nancy, “Bob is a professional TV teaches several courses in nonprofit leader- events had taken place. “Senior women outnumber men. Also, the director. Every line, every scene, every conclu- ship. You can learn more about Allan Luks at “Everything goes well until it doesn’t,” research on emotional fitness shows women sion in the different parts of the film—we http://allanluks.com. You can also write to whispered Nancy. have a greater ability to form relationships. debated them, we researched studies. Do you, him - mailto:[email protected].

ways acute and malevolent. That word, or some other... but none worse than that one No Guarantees: One Man’s Road through the Darkness of Depression for reasons we will discuss later… would stay Chapter Eleven – The Slow Decent Into Flint in my consciousness along with the guilt and shame it evoked. The more I obsessed, the By BOB MARRONE worse the pain became, the greater the pain, the more I obsessed. As I became aware of The flight to Michigan, worried. On top of that was the beginning of the nerves. As I went through this routine this dynamic, the more agitated I became. which takes about an hour of a mental and emotional dynamic that in my head, I could, for ten minutes or so, This process would grow exponentially until from New York’s LaGuardia would define the emerging illness for years feel okay, even happy that I was on my first I was in a state of panic from which I could Airport, felt like it took forever. The claus- to come: Mood swings. At first shallow, then road trip on the company’s dime. Then other not run or outrun. trophobia, free floating anxiety and dread, moderate, then violent swings in mood had thoughts would begin to creep into my head, On that airplane, on that April night, I along with becoming hot and sweaty, made been rising within me since the Night at along with guilt and shame. Within minutes, rode that up and down wave of taking hold; me feel as if I was being suffocated in a pres- The Races episode. Sometimes the degree of I was convinced that I was a cowardly failure then plummeting. Another feature of the sure cooker from which I could not escape. swing would vary, but never the pattern. who could not control himself, who would descent was that each time I would fly, I It was like a sheet of cellophane was placed As I sat on that plane, I sometimes not be able to handle fatherhood, and who would fall further. The thoughts were worse, over my face, with only the edges left askew found myself feeling hopeful that I would was a phony and a fraud. my control over them weak; the feelings just enough to get some air. I was also begin- get through this and that it was just some The descent would occur quickly, more desperate and damning, and my agita- ning to fret over how I was going to do my passing bump in the road that I could attri- accelerated by this growing and uncontrol- tion bordering on hysteria. training job once I got to Flint. bute to growing up. After all, I had started lable tendency to obsess on the worst, most As the flight approached Flint, yet I could not concentrate. I felt like I was a new, exciting job, I was newly married... shameful thoughts. An example was my another accelerant was added to this out of sinking into an irreversible state of I knew although I was having grave doubts about it, reaction to the word “coward.” Oh God, control fire: This “thing” that was happening not what; and the downward spiral was such and I was pretty sure we were pregnant with how my soul still aches with sadness when to me became yet another source all its that I was becoming obsessed. The more our first child. I was also pressed for cash like I think back to the hell of that word and the own, feeding on itself. I was obsessing over I worried, the worse everything became. all new couples. These stressors, I told myself, way in which anxiety and obsessions took obsessing. The worse everything became, the more I were things that would give anybody a case over my life that night, first slowly then in Continued on page 5 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011 Page 5

BOOKS No Guarantees: One Man’s Road through the Darkness of Depression Continued from page 4 the agitation began to be replaced by a hope- For most of my life, up until that time, I lessness I had never known, or even believed had been a hypochondriac. Now that malady could exist. And I must say, sadness fills me was also expressing itself in a geometric way. as I write this. No human being should ever I was beginning to believe that I was brain have to feel so excommunicated from the damaged or addled, perhaps because of world, or his or her own soul, as I began to the experience I had with pot years before, feel that night. William Styron, the great or from some other event. I also began to novelist, captured the feeling in the title of his believe that I was going crazy or having a short book about his struggle with depres- nervous breakdown… something you will sion. He called it Darkness Visible. He might learn in this book is a “none” thing. So here have added and the endless descent into the void. I was, if you will, going kind of insane by I was now entering the most desolate fearing going insane. place in all of human existence. If there is a The fears, the panic, the claustrophobia, hell… if there is a place where your sins are the obsession, all driving and being driven not forgiven and where the pain is unending; by mood swings, were overwhelming. The if there is a place where you cannot escape resulting agitation I can only describe as because your accuser, your judge and execu- behaving like the crack craving Samuel L. tioner is yourself. I was at its door. Jackson in his career making role in the movie As I lay in bed, in that desolate hotel Jungle Fever. My heart was pounding in my room in Flint, Michigan, the spinning tires chest, I could not stay still and my speech on the highway outside as background, I was rapid. My train of thought focused on asked God for help as I endlessly recited the the obsession of the moment and I began Rosary. repeating the same things over and over and Listen to Bob Marrone every weekday from over. My mouth was desert dry, I was biting 6:00-8:30 am on the Good Morning Westchester my lips and my hands were cramping from with Bob Marrone on WVOX-1460 AM making fists. radio. Somehow, I made it to Flint, Michigan. As I entered the low budget Ramada Inn,

business Healthcare Reform and Small Business By RICH MONETTI Maxine Casalbore is an the option all together. In turn, attracting and insurance broker at the Millpond holding onto quality employees becomes Office Building in Somers. In more difficult in the face of larger companies business as the MCM Agency that can more easily cover costs. for 30 years and immersed and well versed A similar outlay of healthcare costs and in the dialogue of health insurance, she’s well employee flight emerges in regards to manda- within her comfort zone to speculate on the tory coverage of 18-26 year olds. She concedes impact President Obama’s Healthcare Act that the age group involves much less risk but will have on our country - especially in terms the small business is supposed to be more a of small business. partner with its employees and less a second She steps up first against the tax on mom and dad. “It’s not what we are built to Cadillac plans. “If someone wants better do,” says Casalbore. insurance, why would you enforce a tax on Additionally, new administrative require- that,” she says. ments will bog down manpower and come at Now, that may sound like someone out of the expense of productivity and service. For touch with the excesses the rich have taken at instance, companies will have to compute the the expense of our economy, but it only suffices individual healthcare costs for each employee as a knee jerk reaction to her viewpoint. and put it on paychecks. “It’s a huge burden,” Many small businesses offer Cadillac she says, and she fears this will pave the way for plans. Applying a tax means the expense must new taxes since everything is already itemized. be made up somewhere else, and that will Her biggest concern is the unlimited either fall on the employer or the employee. coverage mandate on certain “essential health Of course, the other possibility is to drop Continued on page 6 Page 6 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011

business Healthcare Reform and Small Business “I understand the research and develop- “You used to be able to more easily switch ment aspect of the drug companies,” she out if the plan was not a fit,” she says. Continued from page 5 accumulate bills they can’t pay. People will says, “but there has to be some kind of Factoring in all the baby boomers benefits,” as defined by the act. In the past, get treated earlier - thus averting larger legislation. We send drugs to Europe and coming of age means the system (and an annual cap could be put on benefits costs and the incidence of medically related Canada and they are not paying what we the deficit) will be overwhelmed, and she such as mental health or physical therapy. bankruptcies must decrease. are by far.” doesn’t even want to ponder the catas- But by 2014, the limits will be prohibited At the same time, she approves of the Our longer living population knows trophe that awaits if 55-62 years olds can and the new requirements will accrue costs medical loss ratio imposition on insurance this most intimately and Medicare changes buy in. All told, she believes the intention that could leave small time operations in a companies. Limiting their profit margins, loom as a nightmare for anyone trying to was a good one but policy makers looked lurch. “I think the small business is taking she says, “Somebody has to watch the figure out the most appropriate plan. There to make a difference in the wrong areas and the bum rap on this whole issue,” she says. carriers - I think that’s a good thing.” used to be three basic tiers and the federal the fixes still have no single magic bullet. On the other hand, she does see some Still, she doesn’t see these steps government has morphed them into Rich Monetti lives in Somers. He’s been a free- positives. The individual mandate fulfills forward making that big a dent in this multiple levels of voluminous discourse. lance writer in Westchester since 2003 and the first rule of insurance coverage. “It administrative slight of hand. “They’ve “They throw the stuff on my desk and say, works part time in the after school program at spreads the risk,” she says, and she likens it just shifted costs right across the board to ‘help me,’” she says. Mt. Kisco Childcare. You can find more of his to the mandates on car insurance. employer and employee from the insurance Worse yet, for those not fortunate work at www. happystories.info. In turn, costs will definitely get an company,” says Casalbore. enough to afford a broker, the government offset. The uninsured will no longer waste The laws have also done little to address simply directs questions to a website and the resources of emergencies rooms and the astronomical costs of pharmaceuticals. locks applicants into a program for a year. CALENDAR cookies, hot chocolate and Santa will all be part of the Pets Alive organization. there! Looking for single men and women? News & Notes from Northern Westchester Hospice Care in Westchester & Then plan on attending Singles Night Out Putnam will kick off its 23rd annual “Tree at the Solaris Sports Club in Yorktown on By MARK JEFFERS of Life” Celebration with a tree lighting December 9th. They may have closed Cancer Bowl-A-Ton for the Support ceremony on Friday, Nov. 18 at the Jefferson After your delicious and filling down and impounded all Connection in Yorktown and a Fox Lane Valley Mall. The event, hosted by Tom Thanksgiving dinner, lace up your sneakers the voting machines in Sports Booster Club event on January 28th. Furci, midday host at WHUD FM, will run and head for the annual Turkey Trot 5 K th the county, but you can The Pound Ridge Golf Club has from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. A musical perfor- Run in Bedford on November 26 . still vote for this week’s announced reduced pricing for fall golfers at mance will be provided by the Antioch And if that is not enough exercise, then “News and Notes…” the Pound Ridge Golf Club. With all the Baptist Church Choir from Bedford Hills. stop by the Harvey School in Bedford for th We were lucky enough to attend the snow we just thought it might be tougher The ceremony is open to the public, free of open ice skating on Friday, November 25 . th grand opening of the new SPINS Bowl at than usual to find that little white ball on charge. Auditions begin January 20 for the Grand Prix NY in Mount Kisco. There are the course. Send the kids for a fun night of Pound Ridge Theatre Company’s Kids 19 fun filled lanes and even though a few “You better watch out…you better not BINGO, pizza dinner, desert and chances Musical Workshop. gutters ball were rolled, it was a first class cry,” as Santa Claus is coming to Katonah to win great prizes at the Bedford Hills If you like to read and talk, and who th event. Our radio show “The Clubhouse” on November 26th at 11am… Community House on December 10 . doesn’t…then try out the mother/daughter was broadcast live from the alleys. Here’s some more holiday news…The There’s a big craft fair being held book group on November 17th at the th Congratulations to Nat, Chris and the Bedford Hills’s Tree Lighting will take place on November 20 at First Hebrew Pound Ridge Library, the first book to whole gang at Grand Prix. Two fundraisers on Saturday, December 3rd at 6:15pm at Congregation in Peekskill for details call be discussed is “Greg the Overlander” by are on tap, as is the beer…A Strike Against Depot Plaza. Caroling by Antioch Choir, 914-739-0500. Suzanne Collins, for more information call Just love the name of this organization… 914-764-5085. Canine Kindergarten, an award-winning Turning to sports: provider of dog daycare, boarding, training and grooming service with a location in In the boy’s high school Class A Native American Thanksgiving Service Mount Kisco at 295 North Bedford Road. soccer semifinals, Lakeland beat Goshen on penalty kicks 3-2 and in the Section 1 The Katonah United Methodist Church in partnership with Frances Schutta, a Native- Our two cats Pheobe and Cuse asked swimming championships Horace Greeley American religious practitioner, will hold its annual interfaith service of Thanksgiving on for equal time…so here you go…Pets finished second behind winnerC larkstown. Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 24, at 10:00 am. This service draws upon the Alive Westchester is hosting the “Free Cat As the holidays are fast approaching symbolism and rituals of Native Americans in a deeply moving way that helps us celebrate Adoption Event” to highlight the many here’s a shopping tip from my sister Marina, the many ways in which the natural world enriches our lives. Attendees are encouraged to different breeds of cats. Whether you are a set a budget for gifts and stick to it, unless of bring a symbol of something for which they are grateful and be prepared to say a few words first time pet owner, or looking for a friend course it’s a little extra for your only brother. about it. What better way to prepare for our national holiday of giving thanks. for your cat, now is the perfect time to See you next week… Nina Kellogg of Katonah has attended the service in past years. She says, “I love the adopt. Choose from many different colors, service because it unifies us all, regardless of our faith background. Fran Schutta does breeds and personalities. Hurry in to take Mark Jeffers successfully spearheaded the launch a fabulous job helping us find the deepest meaning of the holiday. She creates such a home your new best friend! Pets Alive in 2008 of MAR$AR Sports & Entertainment welcoming atmosphere that you instantly feel that you’re home. So put the turkey in the Westchester is the largest no kill animal LLC. As president he has seen rapid growth oven and come on over.” rescue center in Westchester County NY. In of the company with the signing of numerous For additional information, call the church at (914) 232-4094 to visit the website at June of 2010 Pets Alive Westchester took clients. He currently resides in Bedford Hills http://www.katonahumc.wordpress.com. The church is located at 5 Bedford Road. over the failing Elmsford Animal Shelter with his wife Sarah and three girls, Kate, and is on a rescue mission to save all 550 Amanda and Claire. animals in its care. Pets Alive Westchester is The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011 Page 7

ECONOMY How The New Tax Cap Affects You When was the last time By FRANK V. VERNUCCIO, JR. you dealt with How will a major change Rockland are considering overriding the in our state’s tax laws affect Cap due to budgetary demands, and county you, the county and town you executives throughout the state are pessimistic Lexington Capital Associates? live in, and even your child’s about paying for programs such as Medicaid school? without exceeding the 2% limit. According to In response to property taxes that are Comptroller DiNapoli’s office, about 59 local 96% higher than the national average, driving government entities are planning to over- families and businesses out of the state, a law ride the Cap as of November 1, with more was passed earlier this year enacting a cap on expected. 60% approval of a local govern- future hikes, effective January 1, 2012. The top ment’s governing board would be required to tax increase is the lower of 2% or the rate of do this. In essence, state legislators, after years inflation. While that’s good news for belea- of overspending in order to gain favor with guered New Yorkers, major problems loom. local voters, will now make local officials pay Unfortunately, there was no “cap” on for Albany’s excesses. government spending to accompany the Anxious parents are waiting to see how tax limit. Many expenses, such as municipal this issue may affect their children’s educa- pensions and energy costs, can’t be easily cut tion. Possible changes need not be harmful, back, placing local governments between a if the state allows flexibility to save dollars. rock and a hard place. Financial institutions Common sense changes to school bus routes, such as Moody’s are concerned that these sharing services across several school districts, problems could plunge Albany, and your combining superintendent districts, and town or city, into serious debt. Last year, the changes in auditing practices will save educa- state had to overcome a $10 billion deficit. tion dollars without diminishing classroom This year, due to the ongoing near-depression instruction. throughout America, revenue projections are Clearly, The Empire State cannot flourish not good, and at least another $2.4 billion with its current high tax rate, whether it comes dollar deficit is ahead. from Albany or the County Seat. Local offi- County executives are deeply concerned, cials believe that if they get more flexibility, calling the adoption of the Cap without particularly in education, they can make simultaneously cutting the expensive ends meet. Additionally, they urge repealing mandates placed on them by Albany an measures such as the Wicks Law, which unaffordable “tax shift.” This is the practice makes contracting more expensive, and the of a state government shifting the burden of Triborough Amendment, which can make paying bills to local governments. Albany has union agreements more onerous, to save at least recognized the problem, sharing a tiny money. part of the budget (1%) using a program called Frank V. Vernuccio, Jr. can be reached at nycommuni- Aid & Incentives for Municipalities. But with [email protected]. Visit the COMACTA website the loss of revenue from the Cap, this program at comactainc.com. Vernuccio is the president of the could be cut. Community Action Civic Association, Inc. In the Lower Hudson Valley, a number of fire districts in both Westchester and With over 50 years experience, Lexington Capital Associates provides loans from $1m-$150m at some of the lowest EDUCATION interest rates available in the marketplace. Parents Confront New Rochelle Board of • For cash flowing loans- NO PERSONAL GUARANTEE • 30 year payouts Education over Uncertified Administrator • Int. only loans available By PEGGY GODFREY A tragedy was about school (November 3, 2011) all of whom had to happen An uncertified apparently already made this tragic decision. Assistant Principal had just Here is how these parents prevailed. resigned and was slated to Entering the school auditorium the night of Lexington Capital Associates, LLC. replace a substitute teacher That is, until the the meeting a list of printed questions set the 240 North Avenue parents association of Trinity School decided tone for this meeting. Questions about the to have a meeting with the New Rochelle hiring of Assistant Principal Mrs. Nadine New Rochelle, NY 10801 Board of Education members, Superintendent Pacheco in 2007 centered on her lack of state Phone (914) 632-1230 fax (914) 633-0806 of Schools, and Trinity School Principal at the Continued on page 8 Page 8 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011

EDUCATION Parents Confront New Rochelle Board of Education over Uncertified Administrator Board member a situation like this “wouldn’t have happened, heads would have rolled. This Continued from page 7 Pacheco’s leadership at Trinity and said there speak out on the next school board election day. situation is hurting people.” He felt fraud was certification (which had lapsed in 2005). Who would be a void because of her resignation. Another parent warned the staff is becoming involved because taxpayer’s money was used for was responsible for checking her credentials She said the Board would answer questions. divided and the children should be thought of an unqualified administrator. Laraine Karl felt a and what did Mrs. Pacheco indicate on her Under Mr. Briceno, “Trinity had met every first. Petrone at this point said she did not want decision should be made that evening. job application? Another set of questions one of the standards.” To replace Mrs. Pacheco, this discussion to “branch out.” PTA President Ines Bolufer- Laurentie concerned the future of Trinity School’s admin- Organisciak said they were searching for a To loud applause, one of the teachers who finally spoke and said she did not want istrative staff. “competent super person.” One person in works at Trinity School said the Board had Ms.Mussolini’s position to change or Ms. Mr. Briceno, the Principal, had announced the audience, Vince Malfetano, was against taken the easy way out, adding, “We’re all going Pacheco to be harmed. She asked the BoE to on October 24 that Mrs. Pacheco’s resigna- removing Ms. Mussolini for someone else to suffer if you don’t fix this.” Organisciak then reconsider their decision. Fortunately, after the tion was “effective immediately.” During the who had failed. He then admonished the large said a complete review of all personnel files president spoke, the Board of Education and meeting, Superintendent of Schools Richard number of parents, teachers and community would take place. Superintendent Organisciak met that evening Organisciak said a state report due at the end members by saying “Maybe next time you will Kevin Barrett, who was a Republican and decided to promote Ms. Mussolini to a of October had precipitated this resignation. come out to vote” (for the school board). Candidate for City Council District 4, which is full time teaching position. A few days later, There were concerns that Mrs. Pacheco was One parent wanted to know if Mrs. in the Trinity School area, said he had worked Bob Cox, Editor of the New Rochelle Talk of still performing administrative duties such as Pacheco actually was in possession of a valid upstate for six years on a Board of Education the Sound, asked at the New Rochelle Board working in the main office and overseeing administrative certification when hired. Petrone and found the New Rochelle Board President of Education meeting about the temporary the cafeteria. A second grade teacher, Ms said they “recognized the oversight” and they sincere, adding there has been tremendous license issued in 2011 to Patricia Lambert, the Mussolini, was also targeted to be replaced by were “trying to rectify it.” Another parent then neglect here. He added: the Board of Education principal at Barnard School. He wanted to Mrs. Pacheco. Since Trinity School parents asked why “Mrs. Pacheco was not here,” and has “to do something” about this situation. know what certification Lambert was using for are mostly working people without computers, this was followed by loud applause. She added, Again and again parents asked why the past seven years that she had been working they wanted to know why a letter was posted “Are you telling me there is no background this uncertified administrator was allowed in the position. Article 61-209 says it is illegal on the website concerning the resignation. check?” Organisciak added, ‘There will be a to continue and the answer from the to hire an educator without a license and said There was broad concern about whether the check from today.” But another parent added, Superintendent was “the information was inac- school board members can be charged with Superintendent, Principal and entire Board of “My children come first, we’ll stand by you.” curate.” Parents also felt Ms. Mussolini should a misdemeanor if administrators are hired Education will be “able to display transparency. Malfetano again raised the issue of the not be removed, especially since children did without proper certification. Judging from their answers at the meeting, removal of Mrs. Mussolini and wanted to not respond favorably to Ms. Pacheco’s person- At the very least, the Board of Education there was little attempt to answer parents’ know who supported this. In reply, Organisciak ality. Malfetano then added that if child abuse needs to do a lot of explaining about why these concerns directly. condescendingly replied, “Let’s get serious about is known, parents must be called and he was discrepancies occurred. Christine Petrone, president of the New what is going on. I don’t need to be insulted by holding the administration responsible. Rochelle Board of Education, spoke of Mrs. you either.” Petrone added we “are responsive” Kevin Barrett then added the Board is Peggy Godfrey is a freelance writer and a former but Malfetano added the audience should a policy making body In his experience as a educator. HISTORY Those Were the Days, 5: Stagecoach and Tavern Days in Westchester By ROBERT SCOTT What was it like to be the present Houston Street. Philadelphia, or village up and down the line. Certain a traveler on Westchester’s formerly the most populous city, was second taverns maintained stables where changes of Albany Post Road when the with 28,522 residents and Boston, a distant teams of stagecoach horses were made. Stagecoach Era began? Join third, with 18,320. Our story begins in 1723, when the me now on a hypothetical jaunt up this early Westchester, which then included what route was laid out for an inland road to link highway. would become the borough of the Bronx in New York City and Albany. Initially, post The 1790 federal Census showed 1898, totaled 23,978 residents, mostly in the riders carried the mail in saddlebags. Long- 33,131 persons to be living in the country’s northern part of the county. distance stagecoach service began in 1786. largest city, New York--almost all at the Taverns were important to stagecoach The Albany Post Road heading out southern tip of Manhattan Island below traffic.C oaches brought mail and passengers of New York City threaded its way north for pickup or through the sparsely settled farm country delivery at of Manhattan until it reached the King’s each hamlet Continued on page 9

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HISTORY Those Were the Days, 5: Stagecoach and Tavern Days in Westchester Broadway north of Nathaniel and Annis Garrison and became Main Street and known as the Garrison House. He died about Continued from page 8 near the imposing 1843 at age 76, and Mrs. Garrison continued Bridge at the northern tip of the island. The Second Reformed to occupy the building until her death in 1869. last stop in Manhattan was at a tavern origi- Church, was a stone After that the house fell into disrepair. nally built by Jacobus Dyckman in 1759 and house built around In 1986, the chance discovery of a brief sold to Caleb Hyatt about 14 years later. 1712 by Abraham news item in an old Ossining newspaper On the rainy Thursday of October 13, Martlingh that served revealed the surprising information that the 1789, George Washington, the nation’s first as a tavern during original Davids-Garrison house had been president, stopped at King’s Bridge. He the Revolution. demolished in 1884. Michael Geisler, the recorded in his diary that he and his party According to legend, new owner of the property, built a house there dined there “in a tavern kept by one Hyatt.” a cannon ball fired sometime around 1890, perhaps using some Once past Sputum Duyvil Creek, trav- from a British vessel of the beams and material from the original elers would be in Westchester. Stagecoach in the Hudson passed house. Now owned by the Town of Ossining, stops in Yonkers included a tavern at the through a ground the Jug Tavern is no longer considered to be corner of Main Street and Nepperhan floor front window the oldest building in Ossining. Avenue called Hunt’s Tavern after the propri- The Jug Tavern is no longer considered to be the oldest house in Ossining. and exited out the Also in Ossining (then called Sing Sing), etor, David Hunt. A new tavern built by door at the back. Ward’s Tavern was located on Main Street Jacob Stout replaced it. Successively called Washington Irving’s home, was the old home- In Ossining on near the town pump on what was later called the Indian Queen Inn, the Eagle Hotel, the stead of the Acker family, a noted tavern and Revolutionary Road (then part of the Albany Pleasant Square. Operated by Major Moses Nappeckamack House, and the Stage House, stage stop after the Revolution. Post Road) at the entrance to the locally Ward, it was continued in operation as a it was moved in 1851 to another location to In Tarrytown, at the northwest corner designated Sparta Historic Architectural and tavern by his widow, Nancy, after his death. It make way for the Getty House. of Main Street and Broadway, stood an old Design District is the so-called Jug Tavern, became a store in 1845. A Yonkers competitor, Bashford’s tavern and stage stop owned by Edward originally believed to have been built about Holmes’s Tavern, at the corner of Church Tavern, stood some distance from the post Couenhoven, “famous throughout the 1760 as a tenant farmhouse on the Philipsburg Street and Highland Avenue, later was known road, near the wharf on the Hudson at the Provinces for its entertainment” (i.e., hospi- Manor. Peter Davids, whose family had lived as the Union Hotel. A state marker commem- mouth of the Nepperhan (Saw Mill) River. tality). George Washington was a frequent in the house before the Revolution, purchased orates its site. Whenever the legislature was in So popular was its proprietor, John Bashford, guest at Couenhoven’s tavern during the war. it from the Commissioners of Forfeitures in session in Albany, as many as four stages, each stage coach drivers made a detour to reach his With their staffs, he and Gov. George 1786. In 1795, his son David applied for a drawn by a four-horse team, would stop here establishment. Clinton stopped there on November 19, 1783, license to sell liquor. on a single day. In Hastings, the Dyckman homestead on their way to witness the British evacuation By 1814 the building had been sold to Continued on page 10 on Broadway near the Yonkers border was of New York City. They rode down through known for a time as Brown’s Tavern. The Yonkers to Harlem, where they waited at a only documented basis for this claim is that tavern for word of the final British departure. in 1716 Evert Brown obtained a license to Couenhoven’s tavern later was operated operate a tavern. There is no evidence that his by Martin Smith and his son Jacob. After license was ever renewed. Brown died in 1767; it provided pens along the Broadway above no mention of a tavern is made in his rather Central Avenue and as far west as Washington detailed will. The house still stands as a private Street, it became popular with cattle drovers residence. on their way to city markets. Peter Post had a house and tavern at the While stopping there, Freeman Hunt, Five Corners in Hastings. The tavern keeper founder of Hunt’s Merchants Magazine, was overheard information about British troop berated by the proprietor for returning late to movements and passed it to Patriot officers. the hotel--at 9 p.m. To add insult to injury, the On Sept. 30, 1778, Continental dragoons staff neglected to call him for breakfast in the under Maj. Henry Lee ambushed and killed morning. Hunt checked out immediately. 23 Hessians in the skirmish called the Battle He took revenge by publishing a letter of Edgar’s Lane. A state marker commemo- describing the incident in the magazine rates the event. The building was demolished American Traveler and later in his 1837 book, in the mid-20th century. Letters about the Hudson River and Its Vicinity. In Irvington on Route 9 at West Clinton Hunt added that few travelers stopped at Avenue is the Jan Harmse house, built about Smith’s Tavern “without having some diffi- 1693 as a tenant farmhouse on the Philipsburg culty with the ignorant booby who pretends Manor. Sometime before the Revolution, to keep a hotel. Indeed, many travelers go four this modest stone dwelling was leased and or five miles out of the way to avoid stopping converted to use as a tavern by Jonathan Odell. at this house.” In 1785, the Commissioners of Years later, when the building was torn Forfeitures, charged with disposing of Loyalist down a secret tube was found that led from properties seized during the Revolution, sold it the fireplace in the public room to an upper to Odell, who continued it as a tavern until his chamber “through which it is conceivable that death in 1818. After a succession of owners, it more than one stratagem of casual enemy later became an estate gatehouse. guests became known to American leaders.” Also in Irvington, close to the Tarrytown Also in Tarrytown, on the east side of line and adjoining the grounds of “Sunnyside,” Page 10 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011

HISTORY Those Were the Days, 5: Stagecoach and Tavern Days in Westchester two-story wooden Gardner Holman house, a tavern for many building with a years and a regular breakfast stop for carriages Continued from page 9 were routine in the prison. long porch across on the way to New York. Built about 1750 Stage passengers are reported to have Writing in J. Thomas Scharf’s 1886 the front at the second floor, it was operated by by John Taylor, it was known first as Taylor’s been served a meal of chicken potpie, dough- History of Westchester County, Ossining’s Dr. novelist Jane Burr during Croton’s bohemian Tavern and later as Dusenbury’s Tavern. nuts and applesauce. One of the Union Hotel’s George Jackson Fisher mentions that Simeon period in the early 20th century. Captured British spy Major John André proprietors was Enoch Crosby, Jr., son of the M. Tompkins, then a proprietor of the Union A Guggenheim heiress and fighter for and his guards breakfasted there on September man on whom James Fennimore Cooper Hotel, told him of many conversations he woman’s suffrage, she renamed it the Drowsy 25, 1780. André was being taken to Gen. modeled the hero of his Revolutionary War had with his famous guest. Unfortunately, Saint Inn. Its rough stone foundation can still George Washington at the Beverly Robinson novel, The Spy. Dr. Fisher did not record these exchanges for be seen on the north side of Old Post Road House that stood on what is now Route 9D, Napoleon III, a nephew of Napoleon posterity. North, across from the Holy Name of Mary south of Garrison. Bonaparte, was among the distinguished Other Sing Sing taverns dating from Church. We now conclude our journey over the guests who stopped at the Union Hotel. The early in the 19th century included Col. Joseph Among the first houses erected in Albany Post Road through Westchester. Its pretender to the French throne had been exiled Hunt’s American Hotel, later known as the Peekskill was a tavern known as the Birdsall northern boundary reaches the Hudson at to America in 1836 and lived in Bedford. He Weskora Hotel, and the St. Cloud, built by House. Popular with American and French about Anthony’s Nose. North of this east-west dined at the Union Hotel on several occasions Alexander Graham and also known as the officers during the Revolution, according to line was Duchess County. Putnam County after a trip by stage from Bedford to Sing Sing Ossining House. Both served as stage stops at legend, Washington and Rochambeau often was a latecomer and would not be created to take a boat for New York. one time. stopped there. It remained a tavern until the until 1812. Napoleon also visited the infamous prison The stage stop in Croton-on-Hudson 1880s. Robert Scott is a semi-retired book publisher and established to quarry the dolomitic limestone was the Old Post Road Inn, formerly the Until 1912, near the Upper Manor House local historian. He lives in Croton-on-Hudson. known as “Sing Sing marble.” Harsh disci- McCord residence, located at the junction in nearby Van Cortlandtville, stood the pline, the lockstep, the rock pile and the lash of the roads to Albany and to Yorktown. A housing Evelyn Sachs Steiner Home for Girls Renovation is Completed!!! White Plain, NY -- On November range of supportive services, these youth are for boys, the Jerome Wagner Home for Boys. 7, Brandon Steiner, Founder and CEO able benefit from what other children have Last year, Brandon and Mara were honored of Steiner Sports, and Family Services of in their natural homes: a caring environment at Family Services of Westchester’s STAR Westchester hosted an open house to unveil that enables them to learn and grow; a safe Gala for their dedication to helping children the renovated Evelyn Sachs Steiner Girls haven that provides guidelines for interac- and families in Westchester. Their efforts Residence at 56 Davis Avenue in White tion with their peers, their teachers, their helped to renovate the girls group home the Plains. The home houses eight young employers and community at large. same way they did the boys. Mara shares in women. This youth residence provides Funds raised by a celebrity benefit in May his generous spirit and philanthropic projects. support for teens in crisis and gives the for the Evelyn Sachs Steiner Home for Girls Several years ago, she volunteered to become youth - ages 13 to 21 -- a safe and nurturing have been put to great use, as the project will a Big Sister and is an active participant in environment in which to live while they are come to fruition. Steiner and his wife Mara the BBBS Advisory Board. Mara has also completing their schooling. Here, with the teamed with FSW on the ambitious project. developed a corporate mentoring program at support of house parents, tutoring and a full Steiner had previously rebuilt a similar home Steiner Sports with Columbus Elementary School in New Rochelle. Family Services of Westchester’s Youth INFRASTRUCTURE Residences give a chance in life to teens who might otherwise not have a chance. Boys Sachs Steiner Girls Home, 56 Davis Avenue Northeast’s Aging Dams Threatened by Climate Change and girls come to us deeply troubled, having program which will invite people to come suffered hurtful neglect and abuse or serious and speak to the kids at the home and talk By ERICA GIESE conflict with their parents. Many have been about what they do and their life story to abandoned and have never experienced what In August Hurricane Unfortunately, floods are becoming help give the children some strong life lessons most of us take for granted: a stable and secure Irene brought dramatic more common across the Northeast and values and show how other people have home. They are often ready to turn their backs flooding to Vermont, because climate change is creating greater persevered. This is very flexible and it would on a world that has rejected them. They leave dumping 11 inches of fluctuations in watershed flows that U.S. be on a weeknight. our care, almost always knowing that the rain in 24 hours. infrastructure was not built to withstand. Contributions of the following items are world can be harsh, but there are people on Floodwaters washed away roads, homes, Add the fact that dams are aging and also being sought: Office/School Supplies; whom they can depend. They learn ways to bridges, businesses, and the state’s emer- ill-maintained because federal and state Clothes (sneakers, socks, jackets); a vehicle cope, to tap into their strengths, to rise above, gency operations center, leaving a dozen budget cupboards are bare, and wherever to transport the kids to and from school and to find hope and joy in becoming creative, mountain towns cut off from the outside you look, there’s the possibility for a perfect and to activities etc; books; end table; couch; contributing members of society. world. The costly deluge did major harm storm of flooding and costly infrastructure Stairmaster; dresser; and health care products Along with the renovated home for girls, from North Carolina to New England, failure. (un-opened shampoo, soap, toothpaste, etc) Steiner reports that a mentoring and tutoring making it the tenth weather disaster of In Massachusetts, for example, emer- A sponsor is being sought to make over program is also starting, and those interested 2011 to cost more than $1 billion. That’s gency workers were forced to tear down the the bedrooms in the home. To sponsor a should direct email to: brandon_s@stein- a record. 200-year-old Forge Pond Dam in Freetown bedroom, the cost is $2,500 and all the money ersports.com. Continued on page 11 will go to providing new bedding, furniture, Steiner is implementing a ‘Meet the Pro’ lighting and decor for the bedroom. The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011 Page 11

INFRASTRUCTURE Northeast’s Aging Dams Threatened by Climate Change railroads, refineries, ports, water treatment about innovations like low-impact develop- plants, and even nuclear plants (such as the ment – porous pavements and rain gardens Continued from page 10 10,127 dams nationwide pose a serious threat Salem, N.J., plant just south of Philadelphia). that absorb rainwater, decreasing flooding. when rainstorms last year pushed the struc- to human life if they fail, and of those, 1,333 Eastern cities need to adapt now – and We also need regulations that discourage ture to its limit. If the dam had failed, two were structurally deficient or unsafe. many are. For example, in Montpelier, Vt., construction in floodplains and along vulner- others downstream probably would have Even worse, many eastern cities and which suffered back-to-back “100-year” able coasts (like New Jersey’s Barrier Islands), failed as well, said a public safety official. towns have developed their floodplains, floods this year, officials have increased the by pushing developers to shoulder the finan- Ultimately, taxpayers bear the costs of putting new businesses and homes in capacity of city culverts. cial risk of disaster. Building codes must be rebuilding after such “natural disasters.” But the path of future floods or dam breaks. All new infrastructure plans must pass updated, reducing flood risk.D ams that have solutions won’t be easy or cheap. During the Increased flooding is predicted in 10 out of muster not only under past climate condi- outlived their function should be removed. twentieth century, water managers planned 12 U.S. cities evaluated in a climate change tions, but also those modeled fifty years from The evidence of changing water patterns for future needs based on past precipitation study by the Natural Resources Defense now. These plans should meet bars for resil- is all around us. We have a choice: adapt now, patterns. But with climate change, weather Council (NRDC). iency and common sense – and are beginning and prepare for the floods to come, or pay a patterns are more unpredictable, and we We can also expect saltwater floods. Sea to. For example, during the 20th century, high price in property damage and human haven’t yet learned to adapt. level rise could flood parts of New YorkC ity; federal agencies dreamed of engineering suffering later. The now-regular occurrence of “100-year” Boston; Norfolk, Va.; San Francisco; Seattle; an expensive tunnel system to ease natural Freelance reporter Erica Gies has been published and “500-year” floods is putting increased Los Angeles; Miami; and New Orleans, says flooding on New Jersey’s PassaicR iver. Now by The New York Times, The International pressure on dams not designed to withstand NRDC. Saltwater intrusion into drinking state and federal governments are instead Herald Tribune, Wired News, Grist, and E/The it. There are 87,000 dams in the United water supplies threatens New York, Los buying out area properties prone to flooding. Environmental Magazine. www.blueridge- States, says the Association of State Dam Angeles, San Francisco, and Miami. We should spend limited funds shoring press.com ©BRP 2011. Safety Officials ASDS( O). The vast majority Floods, sea level rise, and storm surges up critical infrastructure that we can’t do is privately owned, and many no longer serve also jeopardize critical, low-lying infra- without, or can’t move, and embrace new types their planned function. About 10 percent structure: airports (such as New York’s JFK of infrastructure designed for “soft failure” by have no known owner. ASDSO found that International), bridges, highways, pipelines, bending rather than breaking. I’m talking LEGAL

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from Legal Services of the Hudson Valley Expands Client Intake System 9:00am - 4:00pm and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:00pm – 3:00pm. For White Plains, NY -- Legal Services ever-increasing in this economic environ- Putnam counties. To reach the toll free intake more information: www.LSHV.org. of the Hudson Valley (LSHV), the only ment,” explained LSHV Deputy Director line call: 877-574-8529 (877-LSHV-LAW), provider of free comprehensive legal repre- Lewis Creekmore. “This July through sentation for poor and newly unemployed September, we received between 600 and 800 residents in Westchester and six other New calls per week. That number was many more York counties, has expanded its intake system than we could effectively handle with the Yorktown Jewelers to better serve its clients. A new phone system staff we had. With the improved system, our WHERE QUALITY AND HONESTY COUNTS has been put in place, and new staff members hope is that callers can quickly get answers have been added to handle the high volume to simple questions, and tools to solve simple of calls received at problems. This will also the organization’s allow our staff attorneys toll free number. The more time to handle additional personnel more complex cases. should reduce or We have 35 attorneys eliminate the wait and another 10 para- time callers expe- legals who are very rienced in the past. effective at extended Legal Services of representation, and we the Hudson Valley believe this system will (LSHV) handles enable them to focus urgent matters their efforts on cases including foreclosures and evictions, that most need their attention.” domestic violence, public benefits, health Attorney Marian S. Henry will be advocacy, consumer law, elder law, and special heading the newly expanded intake unit. education. Henry formerly handled elder law and Paralegals will now answer incoming foreclosure cases at Legal Services of the calls, determine clients’ eligibility and connect Hudson Valley. “Marian has always been Estate & Antique Jewelry • Engagement & Wedding Rings them to the proper unit within the organiza- very hard-working and dedicated,” said Mr. Special Orders Design • Jewelry & Watch Repairs • Appraisals tion for full evaluation. In addition, where Creekmore. “The intake system is in capable We Buy Gold and High End Watches appropriate, callers will receive immediate hands.” HOURS: Monday-Saturday 8:30AM-6:30PM advice under the guidance of a supervising Legal Services of the Hudson Valley attorney. assists residents of Westchester, Rockland, 914.245.1023 • [email protected] “The need for our services is Orange, Sullivan, Dutchess, Ulster, and 2008 CROMPOUND RD. ROMA BLDG. YORKTOWN HEIGHTS Page 12 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011

mental health

Just 5 more minutes of channel surfing can and usually does lead into another hour Procrastination, Soft Addiction and Some Bad Habits of lost sleep, companionship or reading time. I By GLENN SLABY must acknowledge there are better substitutes for television; items that will enhance my life The Issues while configuring the various pieces, however, Is it overeating? Do they consume what little and spirit(uality). I’m not proud of it, espe- I just have such great difficulty in pulling free time we may have? Do electronic gadgets There are too many book sales, garage cially when you my son is myself away from the puzzle. I know that the rule? Do we have difficulty in changing our sales, supermarket specials. I do not have to speaking. Here I am glued tape offers some very interesting aspects of the behavior? Can we avoid complaining, having look at every tag sale. I do not have to stock up to some military history program or channel Mass, but physically getting up, retrieving it is the last word or our cynicism? Soft addictions on a month’s supply of every household item surfing: its night and I find great difficulty difficult struggle. are not just the things we do, but can involve that’s on sale – which causes me to spend a few in pulling myself away from the set. I could Are these bad habits, soft addictions or our attitudes, activities, over-consumption extra dollars. I do not have to be busy all the be spending some of the last moments of a just procrastinations? Maybe it’s all three. All (food, as well as overuse of gadgets), interac- time. I must let go; I must learn how to let go. long day in conversation with my son before are related to being human – a definite incom- tions with loved ones, friends, anyone. I must be aware that changing one bad he heads back to college. Somehow, both the plete state of existence where spirituality tries Fighting Back habit into a good one may not resolve an issue; electric frequency of the television screen and to exert its faith, blessing and hope on our one may just be replacing one compulsion supposedly growing but lost souls. As a news junkie, I must try to find an the reinforcement / familiarity of prior knowl- enjoyable substitute. A first step might be to with another. Switching from milk chocolate edge are so magnificently soothing to the The Problem unlock the car radio button from one for news to a healthier dark drink changes one craving brain. I could be reading on the Spirituality Addiction is a terrible term to apply to / talk to music, or play a cassette - I have an for another. At least its better for me, but it is of St. Augustine, The Apparitions of Mary, one’s condition. It is a terrible, dreadful way old car. Maybe I don’t have to read all these still an addiction. Will the temporary absence or even Calvin and Hobbs, all of which are to live. We are surrounded by, and tempted by e-mails from various humanitarian groups or of some of my habits diminish a facet of my enjoyable and comforting ways to end the day. so many obstacles in our culture; it is amazing every solicitation that arrives in the mail. It life? And if so, how will it change me? I must As the mail, papers, books pile up; I’ve we have survived to our present, varied states. is not a sin to ignore the numerous requests. learn to abstain from certain activities. The become overloaded with trying to read every- Many of these obstacles have been around I must remember I can do only what I can change might be good. The human condition thing. From talk radio to political discussions since human consciousness. From sexual do! There are limits and I must know mine. is fallible to so many ways. Life is complex. on cable; news events entrance me. Slowly, addiction, to drugs, tobacco and alcohol, some My insecurity leads to guilt and a sense of Don’t go it alone. There are many people I’m trying to break out of the habit of being of the greatest minds and saints (St. Augustine incompleteness. (Leading to an addiction of willing to listen, willing to help. an information junkie, convincing myself that and his sexual addiction) suffered. Those of us, over-compensating those items I do well.) not every article or piece of mail needs to be Glenn Slaby is married and has one son. A former who consider themselves free from these hard Food can represent many facets leading account with an MBA, Glenn suffers from read - that every book contains wisdom that core fates and their snares, should put aside to a number of issues. I can have some junk will change my life forever. mental illness. He writes part-time and works at their pride and look closer to their own lives food – every item I eat does not need to have the New Rochelle Public Library and at St. While working off a jigsaw puzzle, there and those addictions that can take control so redeeming, nutritious values. Chips with is a cassette tape in the other room with some Vincent’s Hospital in Harrison, New York, where easily of one’s behavior. lunch every now and then will not offset a he receives therapy. interesting religious ideas that I can listen to We all have our little habits. Is it television? healthy diet. MUSIC THE SOUNDS The Bo-Keys OFBLUE Live at Joe’s Pub By Bob Putignano NYC October 17th, 2011 With great anticipation I’d been looking forward to the Bo-Keys show in NY, first and foremost, I have never seen them perform live, secondly: I love their latest “Got To Get Back” CD! No disappointments here, as the band pretty much stormed throughout their entire Vocalist Percy Wiggins set culling new tracks from their current recording, and few golden oldies that are by Otis Clay for the Bo-Keys, (that Clay also related to their Stax and special guest vocalist performed with his group at the PA Blues Percy Wiggins past. Skip Pitts Fest,) was the perfect closer for the set. Ah, but there was more as they encored with Isaac They zipped through some of their tasty Wiggins took to the stage and lead the band Hayes’ “Shaft,” where those memorable guitar instrumentals (all from “Got To Get Back”) gloriously on “Catch This Teardrop” (also riffs originally emanated from this bands where highlights included the thundering from “Got To Get Back,”) and soul classics extraordinary guitarist Mr. Charles “Skip” “Hi Roller,” “Jack and Ginger,” the very bluesy like “Never Found a Girl,” and Al Green’s Pitts. Pitts appropriately introduced “Shaft” “Sundown on Beale,” and “90 Days Same as “Love and Happiness.” I felt that Wiggin’s by saying that “Isaac got the Grammy, and Cash,” where it became obvious that this was high point came on “Got To Get Back” a going to be a strong performance. Then Percy Continued on page 13 Scott Bomar tune where the vocal chores where recorded The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011 Page 13

MUSIC THE SPOOF is behind the scheme to make him jobless. The Bo-Keys Live at “I never did believe all that hogwash about Joe’s Pub Santa Claus Loses Job, Blames Scrooge his miracle transformation,” Santa said. “He Continued from page 12 By GAIL FARRELLY bought a big goose and gave out a couple of me and the band got the shaft, but it was all presents, thinking he could redeem himself. in good humor, as Pitts lead the band with “A pox on their house,” Gimme a break. Whoever heard of a town No way. He’s still the same obnoxious grouch some very memorable and new guitar bursts, was the reaction of Mr. that couldn’t afford Christmas? Where are he always was, and now he’s denying me a including a wild Hendrix like guitar ending. Claus when he found out their priorities, for Pete’s sake?” job.” The Bo-Keys are organized by bassist he wouldn’t be hired by a Those who made this decision had Late word is that Santa has hired an Scott Bomar who also produced their latest certain Midwestern town in the U. S. this better watch out. Their names have been attorney and is thinking of suing. He feels he recording and plays a mean bass, the horn year. He controlled his language in consid- added to Santa’s naughty list. On Christmas may have been discriminated against because section was solid and manufactured a very eration of Mrs. Claus, who was standing at morning, they’ll be finding stockings that are of his size or his age. Meanwhile, Mr. Claus large sound; (Marc Franklin’s trumpet, and his side when he got the news. However, totally empty. “Not even a piece of coal will is seeing a psychologist to deal with issues Kirk Smothers sax.) Drummer Howard according to the elves (they have big ears, be there,” Santa said, continuing, “coal could related to a loss of self-esteem. Grimes rolled and was originally a member of y’know!), Santa DID mutter a few obsceni- give them a couple of hours of nice warm Learn mo›re about The Farrelly Sisters - Authors the Hi Records rhythm section, keyboardist ties, just under his breath. heat; they don’t even deserve THAT.” online.. Curtis Jones, and guitarist Skip Pitts who was Later he commented: “Budget problems? A bitter Santa insists Ebenezer Scrooge a joy to behold sonically, and was a also a blast to watch. Needless to say I was very enthused EYE ON THEATRE about their performance, and will definitely check them out the next time they perform Taylor, the woman book, music and lyrics anywhere in my path. In summary; for those Barrels of Fun who at age 63 made it himself. Although there who dig a deep soul sound with definitiveS tax across Niagara Falls in a have been numerous and Memphis roots, this band should be the By John Simon barrel in 1901. She was successful collaborations right choice for you, it certainly works for me, the first to pull off this between masters of the so much so; their “Got To Get Back” disc will If you can secure a seat at quixotic but grandiose word and maestros of the definitely be in my Top Ten favorites for 2011. the rather too intimate Gym feat, expecting to make note, when the same artist at Judson on Washington a fortune off it. But it can manage everything, Bob Putignano www.SoundsofBlue.com Square South, I urge you to turned out otherwise. the result is do so. Catch “Queen of the Mist,” Michael LaChiusa wrote Continued on page 14 John LaChiusa’s musical about Anna Edson Page 14 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011

EYE ON THEATRE Barrels of Fun As I wrote back in ’71, neither the opening quasi-philosophical number, nor the Continued from page 13 concluding gymnastic crucifixion quite works, apt to be especially satisfying. but there is a lot of good stuff in between. LaChiusa has a special talent in The young cast is enthusiastic—bordering both areas, his music tending to irrepressible—with no name actors in it, but be arrestingly angular rather than everyone nimble and personable. melodiously flowing, as most serious Orchestra members in this theater in the music nowadays is. Melody, after round are piquantly distributed among the all these centuries, has become a audience, and David Weiner’s no less widely bit exhausted, used up. Originality scattered lights spread the fun. Kudos also has a better chance elsewhere, with to Miranda Hofmann’s impudent costumes. instrumentation, orchestration, benefit of Frank Russell (the excellent Topped off with Daniel Goldstein’s appro- harmony, syncopation, and whatnot. Andrew Samonsky), a clever but rather sleazy priately rough-and-tumble direction and Although LaChiusa exploits this situation and not entirely reliable manager. The two Christopher Gattelli’s tongue-in-cheek chore- expertly, he nevertheless achieves intermittent have a marvelous duet, “Types Like You,” but ography, you have the season’s perfect show for passages as hummable as “Happy Birthday” or all the other five actors, as chorus or soloists, the entire family, and a yummy holiday feast “Auld Lang Syne.” These are both melodious contribute equally valiantly. They are Julia to boot. and jazzy, both traditional and contemporary, Murney (chiefly the suffragetteC arrie Nation, John Simon has written for over 50 years on and the same goes for his book and lyrics. who spurns Anna), Theresa McCarthy theatre, film, literature, music and fine arts for the They are steadily absorbing despite ellipses (ambivalent Jane), Tally Sessions (Leon Hudson Review, New Leader, New Criterion, and ambiguities that you have to fill in and Czolgosh, President McKinley’s assassin, Back on Broadway is “Godspell,” the National Review,New York Magazine, Opera sort out. Your reward is the cozy sensation of whom Anna unwittingly encourages), DC musical based on St. Matthew’s Gospel’s News, Weekly Standard, Broadway.com and having collaborated with the author. Anderson (a new, not very helpful manager), recounting of the life of Jesus, which was a Bloomberg News. He reviews books for the New So here is Anna, the advanced middle- and Stanley Bahorek (a young soldier off to huge hit Off Broadway in 197l, and an esti- York Times Book Review andWashington aged dance teacher in the unsophisticated war, whose adulation is touchingly useless). mable one on Broadway in 1976. Its book by Post. He has written profiles for Vogue, Town Midwest, lacking for students and facing Fame is evanescent, and no one protects Anna John-Michael Tabelak is part clown show, and Country, Departures and Connoisseur eviction. Jane, her petit-bourgeois sister back from sinking into impoverished oblivion. part minstrel show, part vaudeville, part “Hair,” and produced 17 books of collected writings. Mr. east, is of scant help, specializing in baking The theatrical means at Judson are modest, more fun than a bunch of frolicsome kittens, Simon holds a PhD from Harvard University and babies. But a train stop at Niagara inspires but Jack Cummings III has directed profi- and as much as a barrel of superbly trained in Comparative Literature and has taught at plucky Anna, whose theme song is “There ciently, and Sandra Goldman’s set, along with monkeys. MIT, Harvard University, Bard College and Is Greatness in Me.” She gets the idea of Kathryn Rohe’s costumes, provides the neces- It is performed again with all kinds of Marymount Manhattan College. crossing the Falls in a barrel, where others saries. There is staunch support also from sardonic topical references, and a slew of To learn more, visit the JohnSimon- have lost their lives even in a boat. She has, as Michael Starobin’s savvy orchestrations, and comic one-liners delivered as saucy ad libs. Uncensored.com website. she proudly proclaims, a scientific mind, and Chris Fenwick’s lead of a gallant six-piece The whole thing profits munificently from figures out just what sort of barrel she needs band. I guarantee you a memorable experi- the good songs of Stephen Schwartz, whose made, as well as other prerequisites. ence: “Queen of the Mist” (the name on Anna’s wildly successful “Wicked” is playing on the She also has the somewhat questionable barrel) should not have been of the missed. floor above “Godspell.” SHIFTING GEARS Dodging Arrows and Raising Dust Revving the Horses in a CTS-V By ROGER WITHERSPOON The hawk sat motionless, like death in the middle. As a bird of prey, the hawk’s on a holiday, in the arms of the elm tree, its nose has a center mounted pillar which brown wings blending in to the yellow and produces a more even air flow as it dives at brown fall canopy billowing over the Taconic speeds exceeding 100 miles an hour. highway rolling through the Hudson River The emblem on the face of the CTS-V Highlands. doesn’t serve quite that function. Its eight- It was easy to tell it was a teenage pred- cylinder, 556-horsepower, supercharged V-8 The sides of the CTS-V are heavy and quiet, the result of a blend of heavy padding ator, by the color of its tail feathers, and the engine replaces the wings and propels the car smooth, with a slight airfoil at the bottom and smooth design. Its airfoil is such that the unmistakably cocky attitude as it cocked from 0-60 in just 3.9 seconds, en route to a seemingly designed to help it glide through car is quieter at speeds over 80 MPH than its head and slowly surveyed the Cadillac top speed of 196 miles per hour. The coupe’s the air. In reality, the CTS-V is decidedly under it. CTS-V Coupe on the grassy knoll below it. windshield slopes sharply back, melding into earth bound, with angular shapes modeled The rear is pointed, with wide red tail There was a grudging sense of approval as it a side expanse of glass on the sides. That after those old stealth fighters to minimize air lights flanking the corners – a touch the juve- gazed at the sharply angular face, with the provides a wide field of vision, which the interference and keep noise to a minimum. In nile hawk could respect since its tail short open-mouthed grill over an aggressive, hawk can only emulate by swiveling its head fact, even at speeds approaching 200 miles an Continued on page 15 low scoop with the Cadillac emblem resting 180 degrees. hour, the interior of the coupe is surprisingly The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011 Page 15

SHIFTING GEARS

But you don’t get a Cadillac – particu- Dodging Arrows and Raising Dust Revving the Horses in a CTS-V larly one with GM’s most powerful engine – if saving gas is your primary concern. You Continued from page 14 Welburn replied, grinning, “Because we can. its EPA billing, at 12.5 MPG in city driving get it for the comfort and the joy of driving. feathers turn redder with age and expe- Besides, does that look like a station wagon and 18 MPG on the open road. The stats for And if low flying in style is rience. The young hawk cocked its heard to you?” the Coupe were just 10 MPG in the city and what you crave, the Cadillac CTS-V in that universal, teenage arrogant gesture The station wagon bears no resemblance 17 MPG on the highway. The standard CTS provides a good place to start. meaning “I could take you if I wanted to.” whatsoever to the surfboard-toting family with the V-6 engine avoids the tax and has Continued on Page 16 And then it flew off. wagons popularized by Hollywood beach an EPA rating of 18 MPG in the city and 27 Actually, it couldn’t. movies of a bygone era. In fact, the func- MPG on the highway. If one were to believe the latest round of tional station wagon did not look like one at Cadillac commercials the CTS-V, one of the all. The rear was more tapered, the windows world’s fastest production cars, was designed were trapezoids under a sloping roof reminis- to emulate the aerodynamics of a high cent of Acura’s crossover, the ZDX, and the performance bow and arrow ( http://bit.ly/ front was the aggressive grill of the Cadillac p8fCsd ). And as if to prove the point, the cat. car takes off over the straight desert course “Who wouldn’t want one?” asked just as a small army of archers loose their Welburn, rhetorically. black-shafted arrows. Not surprisingly, they It can be a family car. There was more never catch up with their streaking target. than enough room in the back to take three While the imagery of the black hunting grandchildren – two of them still in children arrows chasing the streaking black Cadillac seats – and assorted toys and presents on a – whose paint is infused with soft gold flecks day trip through Virginia’s scenic Blue Ridge which make sunlight dance off its skin – is Mountains. Two tall adults would also enjoy captivating, in reality the origins of the design the ride in the rear seats. And when the kids are grounded in the modern Air Force. For were gone, the rumble of the big V-8 engine became a smooth, baritone vibration as the speedometer hit 120 along the sparsely trav- eled mountain highway. The interior of the Cadillac triplets are what you might expect from a premium car line. The interior décor is leather with a generous amount of wood accent on the steering wheel, doors Ed Welburn, General Motors’ design chief, and dash. The steering wheel, with fingertip the latest incarnation of the Cadillac is an audio, Bluetooth, and cruise controls, tilts and evolutionary knockoff of fighter jet tech- retracts. The CTS features a pop up, seven- nology. The huge tailfins on the Cadillacs inch, touch information screen which makes of the 1950s emulated the technology of the the satellite-augmented navigation system huge, lumbering, Korean War-era bombers extremely easy to use. It also provides crystal that ruled the period’s skies. They were clear viewing from the backup camera. known more for their size than speed – hence For entertainment, there is a single disc the common nickname of Hogs. CD player, iPod, USB and MP3 connections, The new edition, however, takes its as well as AM/FM and XM Satellite radio. design cues from the angular stealth fighters, The system contains a massive 40-gigabyte capable of racing half way around the globe hard drive to hold a few thousand of your and attacking before anyone knows they are personal favorite tunes, and the sound comes THE ROMA BUILDING there. clearly through a Bose system. This new edition Cadillac comes in three If there is a down side, it’s that the huge 2022 Saw Mill River Rd., Yorktown Heights, NY flavors: the standard, $50,000 CTS Coupe, engine with the CTS-V drinks gasoline like powered by a 304-horsepower V-6 engine; kids go through soda. The CTS-V wagon, Office & Store Space for Rent the supercharged, $71,000 CTS-V Coupe; with an EPA rating of 14 miles per gallon in Prime Yorktown Location city driving and 19 miles per gallon on the and the slightly slower, 191-mile per hour, Office Space 965 sq ft.: Rent $ 1650/mo. CTS-V Station Wagon whose sticker price highway, carries a $1,300 gas guzzler tax while is about $71,500. All of them roll on 19-inch the Coupe, with a 12 mile per gallon rating Store Karl Ehmers: 1100 sq ft- $3100/mo. wheels. The latter was introduced at the in the city and 18 miles per gallon on the Store in back: 1300 sq ft. $2650/mo. 2010 New York Auto Show and when asked highway, has a $2,600 gas guzzling penalty. why he would design a racing station wagon That’s not surprising. The actual mileage for 914.632.1230 the wagon, for example, was slightly less than Page 16 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011 SHIFTING GEARS GovernmentSection MAYOR Marvin’s COLUMN GOVERNMENT Continuing to Encourage the Public / Private Partnerships By MARY C. MARVIN 2012 Cadillac CTS-V During these chal- Since May of 2011, these newly In the last few years, the Bronxville lenging economic times, cleared quadrants have been in the “put Beautification Council has also changed Wagon the development of public back” stage, as the space has been prepped its planting methodology to maximize / private partnerships is to re-bloom. When the enormity of value. All of the triangles and borders are MSRP: $71,485 essential for the continuation of services the project with the attending financial now planted in the spring and kept going EPA Mileage: 14 MPG City and quality of life enhancements in every costs became apparent, the Village had until the ground is ready to freeze. Plants 19 MPG Highway municipality. to call on our Bronxville Beautification are not uprooted and removed, rather fall As Tested Mileage: 12.5 MPG City Rarely do these partnerships work Council partner for help. As always, the plants such as chrysanthemums are added 18 MPG Highway as well as the one that has existed for BBC’s answer was “yes”. With the Village as accents to achieve a long lived colorful the last nineteen years between the supplying labor and some supplies, border for almost seven months both in Performance / Safety: Village of Bronxville and the Bronxville courtesy of the Department of Public town and at Village Hall. Now, based on 0 – 60 MPH Beautification Council. Certainly in this Works, combined with the Bronxville experience, we are very mindful of the 3.9 Seconds area, the Village was truly ahead of its Beautification Council’s physical and need going forward to create plant group- Top Speed time. financial help, the renovation promises to ings that do not grow such as to affect the 191 MPH In 1982, an intrepid pair of Bronxville be historic. visibility of drivers and pedestrians. apartment dwellers, Dr. Burton Pollen The current “final stage” of the project It is only through volunteer collabo- 2012 Cadillac CTS-V Black and his wife, Alice, lamented over the entails placing topsoil on a special jute ration with government that we can lack of fresh greenery, flowers and pretty mesh to eliminate the previously constant continue to flourish as a Village. These Diamond Edition Coupe open spaces in the downtown areas of the soil erosion. Planting beds are also being partnerships have value on so many levels. Village. At the time, Leonard Morange prepped and trimmed with rocks and For example, when speaking to local MSRP: $70,790 Park was overgrown with weeds and 175 flats of ivy are being planted. As a realtors they mention how the beautiful EPA Mileage 12 MPG City amenities such as shade covered benches final crowning glory, an additional one plantings create a lasting first impres- 18 MPG Highway were non-existent. So the Pollens thousand yellow daffodil bulbs are being sion on potential home buyers as they As Tested Mileage: 10 MPG City committed their hearts, minds and lower planted to create a riot of color next arrive at our gateway entrances. And even 17 MPG Highway backs to digging, planting and raising spring. more importantly, our residents enjoy funds to improve the landscape viewed Thanks and appreciation is due to the touches of nature and beauty that Performance / Safety: out their windows. the many hands that make light work. surround them as they walk about. 0 – 60 MPH The group, now ably headed by Mary Rose Nihlen of the Bronxville Please remember that this partner- 3.9 seconds President George McKinnis, was Beautification Council, who is trained in ship is only the result of the generosity Top Speed incorporated in 1993 as the Bronxville urban landscaping, donated her creative of residents who support the Bronxville 196 MPH Beautiful Council (BBC). Since then, expertise; Gus’s Landscaping of Tuckahoe Beautification Council, which is totally thanks to the generosity of residents, the is providing very cost effective services dependent on private donations. To help 6.2-Liter, supercharged, aluminum alloy Bronxville Beautification Council has funded by the Bronxville Beautification protect and preserve our green spaces, V-8 engine producing 556 horsepower embarked on many improvements, large Council, and Mike Marks of Almstead please consider making a tax-deductible and 551 pound-feet of torque; 6-speed and small, throughout the Village. Tree and Shrub Care Company has donation to the Bronxville Beautification automatic transmission with electronic The hanging baskets in the busi- donated hours of tree pruning services Council, Inc. at P.O. Box 127, Bronxville, manual mode and paddle shifts; magnetic ride shocks; Bembro brakes; 4-wheel in- ness district as well as the beautifully over the last few years. NY 10708. dependent suspension; 19-inch aluminum landscaped triangles are all the work of And finally, Gedney Farms of Mary C. Marvin is the mayor of the Village wheels and Michelin performance tires; the Bronxville Beautification Council in White Plains, under the leadership and of Bronxville, New York. If you have sugges- stability and traction control; fog lights; collaboration with the incredibly hard aesthetic sensibility of their landscape tions or comments, consider directing your high definition headlamps with adaptive working staff of the Village’s Department architect, Carla Noletti, supplies and perspective by email to [email protected]. lighting; backup camera; front & side im- of Public Works. Without this efficient plants all the seasonal plantings that the pact airbags; head curtain side airbags. and seamless partnership, much of the Bronxville BeautificationC ouncil donates Interior / Comfort: visual beauty you see upon entering our throughout the downtown area. Village would simply not be possible, AM/FM/XM Satellite radio; Bose sound especially in this economic downturn. system; iPod, USB and MP3 connec- Possibly the most significant collabo- LETTERS TO THE EDITOR tions; single disc CD Player; 40 GB hard ration is the current one taking place Please submit your Letter to the Editor electronically, that is by directing drive; Bluetooth; tilt & telescope, leather on the banks of the Bronxville Railroad email to [email protected] Please confine your writing to between wrapped steering wheel with fingertip au- Station. This three year project has so far 350 and 500 words. Your name, address, and telephone contact is dio, phone and cruise controls; OnStar; requested for verification purpose only. A Letter to the Editor will be satellite navigation system with 7-inch freed the signature plantings from weeds pop-up screen; heated front seats; leather and overgrowth, allowing the Station’s accepted at the editor’s discretion when space permits. seating; split, folding rear seats. historic architecture to shine. A maximum of one submission per month may be accepted. The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011 Page 17

MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

essentially zero-increase budgets for two years I applaud Assemblyman Abinanti for exhib- GovernmentSection now. So there’s already less fat then there was. iting true political courage in voting against The 2% Property Tax (Levy) Cap Eventually, and I don’t care what you think this law.) about how fat our school or municipal budgets This is, for now, a popular law. People By PETER SWIDERSKI are (and they’re increasingly lean), the fat is feel burdened by their property taxes and I assume by now you have low, as it was during the depths of the Great gone and you’re left with that 2% cap and the this feels like it may provide welcome relief heard about the new 2% prop- Recession, we would be more constrained, and meat and bone starts coming off. The long- from the sense that taxes march too quickly erty tax cap. I would like to try when inflation rises (as it is now, over 3%), it term trajectory is not good for our civil society. upwards. People don’t want to think about to explain the constraints of the matters not: we’re capped at 2%. Especially if inflation picks up, God forbid. the long-term implications because they want new law and the impact it will have on us. I Finally, the local municipal governments To add to the perversity of the law, a immediate relief. I understand that totally. But hope you read this document through because wrangled a major concession on the cap: the municipality is actually punished if it folds this is relief that will hurt in ways small and of the impact on your pocketbook and your Village Board can pass a law overriding the services into a neighboring community (such large and I believe most will come to regret it. schools and government is very much worth cap for the current year with just a simple as combining police departments): the State The local mayors have all banded together to understanding. majority of the Board of Trustees. This is deducts the amount you save from your levy demand mandate reform from Albany – we Governor Cuomo championed, pushed substantially different (and less onerous) than base and you’re effectively punished for the see where this trajectory leads, and we know and signed into law what is popularly and the School District, which requires a 60% vote consolidation. So if you think the law can that cuts that affect important services to our inaccurately called a 2% property tax cap. This of the public to pass a budget when the levy function as a blunt instrument to force consol- constituents are not far away, and won’t stop. cap applies to all taxing jurisdictions, whether increase is in excess of 2%. With this said, I idation, I’m afraid you need to think again. But mandate reform is difficult for Albany – school, town, village, or county. It is, however, want to immediately state that our Board It’s maddening and it’s wrong and I can’t tell it requires decision-making far tougher than not a tax cap but rather a tax levy cap, and in intends to honor the letter and spirit of the you what the long-term purpose of the law passing a 2% cap imposed on local govern- that one word distinction lies quite a bit of law this year and intends to pass a budget that is, because it doesn’t make much sense to me. ment and our fine schools. I hope that they difference. remains within the constraints of the levy cap. If it’s to control taxes as claimed, and yet fails find the wisdom and courage to do so, and The first thing to understand is that the We will not seek to override the cap. to control the many mandates that impact us, I will work to try to impress them with the tax levy cap is, effectively, a cap on expenses. Up to this point, I’ve described, basically, it’s a crude instrument indeed. And I won’t absolute need to do so. The tax levy is what a local government or what the law requires. It’s nowhere near as even address the constitutional issues of the Thank you for your attention and school district has to raise to pay its expenses - simple as I’ve stated and requires fairly compli- constraint imposed on the tradition of home patience. effectively, in capping the levy, you are capping cated calculations to correctly implement. rule. Some of our legislators in Albany have Peter Swiderski is the mayor of the Village of expenses. However, that 2% levy cap does Many of its implementation details are still effectively said they know better than local Hastings-on-Hudson. [email protected]. not translate necessarily into a 2% cap on being worked out. But the upshot is that the school and town boards. I resent that. (And the increase in your taxes. During the year, Village Board intends to comply with the cap, commercial establishments and private home and given the size of the pension mandate, owners may challenge their property assess- combined with the hits to our assessments, ments and, if successful, drive their assessment your tax increase, come May 2012 is likely down. What this means is that the tax levy to be somewhat larger than what the trivial then falls more heavily on everyone else whose bumper-sticker description of this law might Yorktown EconoWash assessments have stayed stable. It’s perfectly have lead you to believe. possible to see the entire assessment for the Now, I’ll editorialize. The long-term Village drop by a half or even a full percent in dynamic of this law is deeply troubling, espe- Your Full Service Laundromat Since 1966 a given year because of successful challenges. cially for school districts which lack the easier This means that when the 2% levy increase override of the cap that governments can Wash & Fold Service • Dry Cleaning & Pressing occurs, your taxes can go up more like 2.5% deploy. The (state-mandated) health insur- Dry Clean By The Bulk • Shirts Laundered or 3.00% instead of just 2%. It’s an extremely ance and pension increases alone chew up important distinction to make because we’ve all of our levy increase. However, we have Leather & Suedes Cleaned / Treated all been sold a bill of goods in terms of how salary increases (contractual and otherwise), this cap is being described and marketed, and 3% inflation affecting the cost of every- it is rarely described for what it is because it thing, unexpected eventualities (Hello! Snow requires more than a five-second sound bite. storms in October!) and the other items that Second, the fact is that significant portions we need to cover. And while our Reserve of our budget are mandates required by New Fund and financial situation are substantially York State. We are billed by the State for the better than a year ago, the fact is that all these insurance and pension costs of our employees, increases have to come out of what is essen- and those increases can be significantly more tially a zero-percent increase budget because than 2%. In fact, this year, the medical insur- the 2% levy increase is consumed by pension ance increase is likely to be around 8% and the and insurance increases. So we cut. And next pension increase closer to 14%. The Village year comes, and the same dynamic plays out (and School District) must pay these increases. again. So we shave more again. (The State The State, however, took some pity and in does not see the irony of capping our ability the case of the pensions, if the total pension to raise money, yet imposing mandated costs increase exceeds the total 2% levy increase, we that increase grossly in excess of 2%.) And are permitted to pass that the difference on in this goes on another year, and another. And 914.962.5539 the levy. this becomes our dynamic moving forward, The third major feature is that it’s not good times or bad. Sure, there are places to 2018 Crompond Rd. (Rear) Yorktown Hts. a 2% levy cap – its 2% or the inflation rate, cut. But these restrictions come after several whichever is lower. When inflation is very years of tighter budgets: the school has had Routes 35 & 202 -Crompond Page 18 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011 OpEdSection Hezitorial Inspector General Dan Schorr devised Ms. McDow’s Conduct Is Unbecoming an Elected Official a cloak over the truth of Ms McDow’s theft of services by storing her BMW on the By HEZI ARIS property of the Yonkers Parking Authority’s Friends of Patricia Travesty, and Political Coverup By operating. Despite the difficulties revealed Buena Vista Parking lot for over 6 years. McDow, the campaign Hezi Aris (http://yonkerstribune. herein, Ms McDow has asked the Yonkers He did so by asking the Yonkers Board committee set up in favor typepad.com/yonkers_tribune/2010/03/ City Council to overlook the concerns of Ethics volunteer Board of Directors to of present Yonkers City the-hezitorial-malfeasance-travesty-and- and permit the Simmons brothers and conduct a discussion over the allegations Council Majority Leader political-coverup-by-hezi-aris.html), C.U.R.E. more time to pay off their eight first brought to light by theYonkers Tribune; Patricia McDow has the subsequent March 28, 2010 article: years plus accrued arrears without penalty. but he demanded it be done in executive not filed anything this year. Ms McDow Bait and Switch in Yonkers By Hezi Aris The Simmons brothers and C.U.R.E. indi- session, that is closed to any recording of the asserts she severed her relationship with (http://yonkerstribune.typepad.com/ vidually and through its corporate structure goings on. No tape, no video, no audio, no the treasurer of the campaign committee, yonkers_tribune/2010/03/bait-and-switch- have not attempted to pay even a penny written transcript, nothing. Despite these and in so doing, found herself incapable of in-yonkers-by-hezi-aris.html), of the arrears accrued over all these years. obstacles, the Yonkers Tribune learned that accessing the committee’s electronic filing and the subsequent December 02, Why should anyone believe that they will the Yonkers Board of Ethics assigned Ms system claiming she no longer possessed 2010 article: BREAKING NEWS do so into the future. Are they even solvent? McDow a fine of $360.00, which she has the password and username. She throws her EXCLUSIVE: Federal Class Action Civil What about the money due those who have not paid. The payment was to have been hands into the air in a “woes me” scenario Rights Law Suit Filed Against the City given deposits? Are their deposits secured in paid off over 12 months time, that is, $30 suggesting “election officials” had not of Yonkers and Private Developers (http:// escrow accounts? Here is another circum- per month. She cannot play the game of contemplated such an issue. yonkerstribune.typepad.com/yonkers_ stance in which Ms McDow facilitates paying the full sum by December of 2011 “I’m crying out for a solution; I really tribune/2010/12/breaking-news-.html) another alleged cover-up of deceit. and believe she will have fooled Yonkersites don’t know what to do!” Remedy is at issue now before the The Blue Door Gallery is another her scam. She had no intention of paying Let’s not embarrass Ms McDow by courts despite Ms McDow’s conduct that deal specific only to Ms McDow. She has the penalty. Had she, she would have paid it advising her that we know she was well was seemingly an attempt to thwart further entered into an agreement with a non- off in installments as requested. versed in creating websites for various clients scrutiny of whether taxpayer funds were for-profit to which she has no right to be Should Ms McDow accept any blame for many years. The most fundamental spent defrauding potential homeowners or engaged in any manner. She cannot parcel for her past conduct? Should there be a concern in building such websites is to not, and whether the project delivered the parts of City Hall as she desires, for what- mechanism of scrutiny that may exact maintain security and accessibility to every homes as contractually stipulated they were ever purpose. City Hall is the house of The penalty? The answer is, “Yes!” on every website. This is rudimentary. Ms McDow to be. People. Ms McDow does not have a deed to count. Yet, despite the need to close the cannot feign ignorance when this is an issue Center for Urban Revitalization and the property, she has not been appointed or door on such conduct, whether it be inten- she has personally had to contend with in Empowerment (C.U.R.E.) Development been designated in any capacity to engage tioned, coincidental, premeditated, or inept, regard to all her clients’ websites. It would founders James and Andrew Simmons, in permitting the Yonkers City Council the fact that government will not close the have been standard operating procedure to designated master developers by the Conference Room be used by any entity door on this escape hatch that The People keep usernames and passwords in a secure Yonkers Industrial Development Agency other than for the purpose of serving must comply and abide by is outrageous. location and accessible both electronically have spent $3.5 million of city funds with The People. The contracts engaged in by Perhaps Ms McDow should be and in handwritten form. regard to 12 affordable units to be privately Yonkers Corporation Counsel, without rewarded to become the next Clerk of the Were we to believe her despite her owned, known as the Lillie Pearl on the the foreknowledge alleged by Yonkers City City of Yonkers. She has been politicking knowledge of the web, the Internet, and Hudson property located at 304 Warburton Council President Chuck Lesnick, and for that office for almost this entire year. computers, does it seem reasonable that she Avenue. The development was named after likewise Councilmembers John Larkin, We now hear the prospects of her gaining would not attempt to pry loose the infor- the Simmons brothers’ mother. John Murtagh, Dennis Shepherd, Joan employ as Yonkers City Clerk has been mation from her former treasurer through The Yonkers Tribune / The Westchester Gronowski, and Wilson Terrero is simply diminished by our telling. Talk of her a court of law? Did she ever contact Guardian (www.WestchesterGuardian. outrageous. No one designated or autho- gaining employment by New York State New York State Comptroller Thomas com) have since learned that the prop- rized Ms McDow conduct any business may be in the offering. DiNapoli to advise his office her former erty has not yet received a CO, that is, a as a rogue. One must infer that Yonkers That doesn’t seem fair; imagine saddling treasurer had allegedly absconded with Certificate of Occupancy. This despite it Mayor Phil Amicone has permitted the Empire State with Ms McDow. Excuse the username and password she required having been completed almost two years Yonkers Corporation Counsel to engage me; I need to hurl. to file pertinent information with authori- ago. The YT and the WG have also learned in some aspect of this scam on The People Ms McDow needs to pay; her attempts ties? Does she now believe she may re-write that C.U.R.E. have not paid any real estate of Yonkers as they have allegedly drawn to obfuscate and scrutinize failings in the history to her choosing? Did she presume taxes since their designation as master up contracts. This should be up Yonkers name of Yonkersites must be corrected; and no one would care enough to notice? developers. Further still, people have sent Inspector General Dan Shorr’s alley but he she must not be permitted benefit for her This is not the first error in judgment C.U.R.E. down payment for these afford- has yet to get a map, that is, permission to ineptitude, plots, or ploys. Appeasement or undertaken by Ms McDow. able housing units in advance of the complex become aware of any issues that have swirled oversight of her transgressions must not be She had initially been involved in the receiving a CO and cannot get an answer as about Yonkers this entire year. Ignorance compartmentalized as a politically correct cover-up of deficiencies in the Father Pat to what has happened to their deposits or will have served Mr Schorr well. He earns maneuver. Enough is enough. This must be Carroll Green Development Project. Despite to the prospect of the CO being granted or in excess of $160,000 per annum staying the end of the political road for her. her attempts to keep the media at bay, the when. Rose Noonan, who also managed the ignorant of issues that impact the rights of Yonkers Tribune uncovered the deficiencies Father Pat Carroll Green Project is alleg- Yonkersites, which he should protect from demanding remedy. [Read The Hezitorial edly mixed up in this developing fiasco. The being expunged before our eyes, yet he does dated March 7, 2010: Malfeasance, www.curedevelopment.org website is not not. The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011 Page 19

CURRENT COMMENTARY

the various flat- or flatter-tax proposals sticker shock and we would, as a country, bandied about by Republican presiden- start racing to put some of our priciest Death Is Still Certain; Taxes Not So Much tial candidates. A flatter tax system would purchases back on the shelves. By LARRY M. ELKIN not be essential, however, to produce Even if taxes are no longer a certainty, some reasonable balance. Democrats one thing is: In the end, you always get At the founding of Every day 10,000 Americans celebrate who want to raise taxes on the rich and what you pay for. this country, Benjamin their 62nd birthdays, marking their who oppose flatter rate structures could Franklin said that despite entrance into the ranks of those eligible get their wish simply by blocking all the promise that the new for Social Security, Bloomberg recently legislation to extend the Bush-era tax Constitution would endure, reported. rates that expire at the end of 2012. But only two things could truly be certain On its own, this trend is bad enough. those same Democrats, by and large, are Larry M. Elkin, CPA, CFP®, presi- in the newly United States of America: It is a recipe that is sure to produce more the ones arguing that vast swaths of the dent of Palisades Hudson Financial Group death and taxes. and more debt. There is, however, an population should pay no federal income a fee-only financial planning firm head- The death rate continues to hold at even deeper problem. All the benefit- tax at all, while a growing share use their quartered in Scarsdale, NY. The firm offers 100 percent, as The Onion once enter- receiving non-taxpayers are also voters. government as an endless ATM. The estate planning, insurance consulting, trust tainingly reported. But for about half As more people receive benefits, a larger Democrats’ approach largely undoes the planning, cross-border planning, busi- of the country, taxes – or at least federal segment of the electorate gains a stake in welfare reforms that President Clinton ness valuation, family office and business income taxes – have disappeared. keeping those benefit programs going.A t signed in the 1990s, while avoiding the management, executive financial planning, Recently, the self-proclaimed 53 the same time, as fewer people pay taxes, politically unpalatable term “welfare.” and tax services. Its sister firm, Palisades percent movement has gained the fewer voters have a personal interest in It is conceivable that, after facing Hudson Asset Management, is an inde- media’s attention. The movement’s considering the costs of those benefits. the true costs of government services, pendent investment advisor with about name, intended as a contrast to Occupy A democratic society can choose to middle-class Americans could decide $950 million under management. Branch Wall Street’s “99 percent,” is based make its government as big or as small as that they are worth the price and start offices are in Atlanta and Ft. Lauderdale. on Congressional Budget Office data it wants. It can choose to collect minimal happily forking over substantial portions Website:www.palisadeshudson.com. showing that, after credits, 47 percent of taxes in exchange for minimal services, of their incomes. More likely, however, Americans owed no income tax in 2009, or it can subsidize many of its citizens’ there would be an immediate wave of leaving the remaining 53 percent to carry wants, as well as their needs, providing the burden of supplying the country’s funding for things like health care, the revenue. arts, transportation, education and retire- That 53-percent figure came under ment. In the second case, people need to attack long before the first “We are the be willing to pay for all those services in 53 percent” sign appeared. Critics point the form of much higher taxes. out that payroll taxes, as well as state and The problem with our current system local taxes, are not accounted for in the is that too many people believe benefits 53-47 divide. Including all federal taxes, can increase indefinitely while relying on only about 10 percent of households pay that conveniently vague entity, “the rich,” nothing, according to New York Times to support those programs. Unfortunately, columnist David Leonhardt. there isn’t actually any magical fountain Of course, Social Security and of unlimited cash. Eventually “the rich,” Medicare payments are supposedly actually an assortment of individuals and contributions toward future personal small business owners, are tapped out, benefits, sometimes described this while the incentives for individuals with way in the same breath that they are talent and initiative to become rich – as described as “social insurance,” and not opposed to, say, taking less economically Ponzi schemes. Cutting through this productive jobs in government, academia self-contradictory logic, the truth is that or the non-profit sector – disappear. most people who pay Social Security and As I have written here before, as the Medicare taxes expect to receive far more owner of a successful and well-estab- in future benefits than they will ever lished business, I’m one of the “rich” contribute. people who gets targeted for tax hikes, Setting aside quibbles about statis- and I’m willing so see my taxes go up tics, however, it is obvious that large – if yours do, too. If we want prudent segments of the population have become management of our national budget, accustomed to paying less into the the key issue is not the level of tax rates, government than they get out of it. A but the number of people who feel they record 49 percent of Americans now live have a stake in the costs, as well as the in a household where someone is getting benefits, of their government. That’s the at least one form of government benefit, only way a democratic society can come according to data from the U.S. Census to a rational balance between those costs Bureau. That number will only increase and benefits. as the average age of the population does. This philosophy is embedded in Page 20 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011

MEMORIAL

I knew Ed well enough to know I got I do not remember the exact time of the him thinking and walked out. year but I received a call from Judge Brieant My Memories of Charlie Brieant Ten minutes later he was at my door. asking me if I was going to the NYSAC By HERMAN GEIST That was also an event. “What do you want meeting. I said,”Yes.” me to do?” he asked. He said, “If I take the train to Mount Charlie was a member of the original “I thought so, too,” the Judge said. “But “First call Richard Nixon and then Judge Vernon, would you drive me to Albany?” County Board of Legislators, starting you and I are in the minority. The Republican Schmidt and say you are supporting the I said, “But, Judge, you are not in local January 1, 1970. Oh yes, he could be cantan- County Committee will not clear him.” nomination with enthusiasm,” I said. government any more.” kerous at times. But, for the vast majority of I knew who the County committee was. “You owe me,” he said. He said, “Herman, someone forgot to his hours, he was committed, brilliant, loyal “Judge, what do you want me to do?” I We had so much respect for each other take me off the committee. I have some work and, most importantly, a friend. said. that I could say what I knew he felt as well. that needs completing.” Nothing ever prevented Charlie from “Speak to them,” the Judge said. “They “No one owes anybody anything but good So, I drove Judge Brieant to Albany and speaking his mind. But, as a legislator, his like you,” government.” he trained back to Foley Square. strong convictions didn’t prevent him from I hung up the phone and turned to It was fate at work all the way. If I had not What a guy or as I could say what a finding ways to compromise and negotiate to Elmer Maloney, the Board Clerk, who had been in the office at that moment, I would mensch. get a consensus that was good for all. overheard the conversation. not have been reached. Remember, this was Milton Hoffman dubbed the first Board This is my story, until now, only known Go get them this is one of your legislators. before cell phones, fax machines and instant as Pioneers. ‘Came in as strangers and left by a handful of people I walked down the hall to the County communication. It was just good luck. The as a family.’ One afternoon in 1971, I was sitting in Executive’s office--- where the Board Chair rest is history. That’s because we were all committed my office. I was Chair of the County Board currently sits. At that time, the County At his funeral, I told Ginny, his beautiful to making this new legislative body succeed. at the time. The fact that I happened to be Executive and the Legislative offices were all wife, that we did not have enough time for We were united in our mission to care. That sitting in my chair is the key to the story. I on the 8th floor so I could easily drop in to each other. She said generously, “you both meant, more often than not, finding a place was in the right place at the right time. see him. were very busy.” to put our differences for the good of the I received a telephone call from Judge I barged into Ed Michaelian’s office Finally the measure of the man, in my people. Frederick G. Schmidt, presently the as I usually did. He seemed to know why I mind, is how seriously he takes his commit- As Charlie said and which was quoted presiding Justice in the 2nd Department was there. (Until recently, Ed was not only ments. I want to know when I ask someone in The Westchester Guardian, Appellate division of the NY Supreme County Executive but also Republican to do something that he or she will follow REMEMBER THAT I CARED Court. He had served as Chairman of the Chairman of Westchester County) through. Charlie broke the measuring stick. AND WANTED TO HELP PEOPLE. Board of Supervisors from 1933 to 1935. “NO, NO,” he said. He went above and beyond. He did and I will miss him. “Herman,” Fred said. “President Nixon I replied. “This is an honor for the I had appointed him to be the Board’s AMEN has nominated Charlie to be a Federal County and for the New Legislature. You Liaison to the State Office of Local Herman Geist chairs the Westchester County District Court Judge in the Southern often said to me ‘support your guys.’ Ed, we Government, which succeeded the former Charter Revision Commission. District.” need this. I need this. And, the Board and County Officer Association Legislative “Wonderful,” I replied. Citizens of Westchester need it.” Committee.

NEW YORK CIVIC judgment of market Executive Budget”. It also provides a context Governor Defers Budget Decisions; professionals. It is to evaluate the budget requests made by each Where No Birds Sing Blames Volatility in World Markets logical that such of the state agency heads, which were due By HENRY J. STERN judgments should this week. The canary rule can be applied to financial be made, in part, on the basis of what other Governor Cuomo explains his decision situations, weather conditions, rising waters or investors are doing. It is illegal, however, to be to delay the DOB’s mid-year report, and, A widely used political other impending crises, physical or economic. too well informed, and people can be pros- consequently, to postpone indefinitely the metaphor is the canary in the The canary in the mineshaft provides an early ecuted if they are caught at insider trading. deadline for agency heads to submit their mineshaft. The small yellow warning of danger ahead. Theoretically, this An opposite flaw in the dissemination budget requests, as follows: “Between Greece bird is said to be more sensitive to carbon avian warning information gives the authori- of information is criticized in today’s Post and Europe and the stock market going up monoxide and methane than human beings. ties, or whoever has brought the canaries to by E.J. McMahon. He observes that an and down, there has been significant ... vola- Therefore, when poisonous gases accumu- the mine, the opportunity to take remedial important budget document is now more tility. We want to make sure we have the best late in an enclosed underground area, the action in an attempt to forestall the disaster than ten days overdue. Every October 31 possible [projections], because we are going canary is reputedly the first creature to sense that lies in wait if nothing is done. in New York State, the governor’s Division to start making real decisions based on this its toxic effects. This makes the bird a living Advance information is also a valuable of the Budget is supposed to issue a mid- information.” smoke alarm, and signals miners and others asset in the business world. People have gone year financial report, detailing the degree to The phrase “making real decisions” in to escape. to jail for using it for their own benefit at the which the state’s real-world economic situa- government usually means firing people or The canary warns of danger not by calls expense of others. The rules on this some- tion conforms to the projections laid out in shelving capital projects. Since the state has of alarm, but by their absence. Since canaries times can be difficult to follow, although the annual budget adopted by the legislature won major concessions from the unions in sing a great deal of the time, miners could there are obvious cases where people (e.g. at the end of March. exchange for a no-layoff pledge, it will be read their silence as indicating that the birds messengers or printers) have obtained infor- In addition to tracking the state’s actual more difficult to find areas in which expen- were dead or dying, and that it was past time mation on the job about future transactions tax revenues, which according to the comp- ditures can be substantially reduced. to flee. The concept of the canary in the and used that knowledge for personal gain. troller’s office are down by almost $400 Since it is unlikely that there will be a mineshaft is used to describe a situation in People who trade stocks and bonds million from the forecast numbers, the mid- tide-turning economic recovery in the state in which peril is perceived by a few, but is immi- make decisions based on their beliefs of what year accounting is an important indicator the next few months, the delay in submitting nent for all. the market will do. Investment decisions of the “fiscal trends that will shape the next Continued on page 21 should be made on the basis of the informed The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011 Page 21

NEW YORK CIVIC Where No Birds Sing The administration buys breathing room, more difficult situation for next year. We fear the silence of the canary. but at a cost. Some alleviation of the bad news may Muzzling or ignoring the bird may provide Continued from page 20 The next four and a half months will come from the fact that if the budget is so time to work on the problem, but it will not reports and budget requests will most complete Fiscal Year 2011-2012. As the dire than reasonable people will not fault the add any oxygen to the mineshaft. likely mean that the reductions, when they due date for the next budget approaches, the governor for being unable to keep his commit- Henry J. Stern writes as StarQuest. Direct email come, will be sharper. This is a perennial struggle to balance the budget, or to find a ments. However, Cuomo appears to be proud to him at mailto:StarQuest@NYCivic. situation; it recurs with monotonous and ruse to avoid a balanced budget, will inten- of his promises, and as a strong governor and org. Peruse Mr. Stern’s writing at New York unsurprising regularity each budget cycle. sify. Mandatory cost increases and a projected potential national candidate, he is under closer Civic. $2.4 billion budget gap will create an even scrutiny than some of his rivals. THE CONSERVATIVE TORCH was ever Conservative-based, so what? Can become the most prosperous, promising, and the Conservative movement have one major successful nation in the history of civilization. A Media Circus: In Every Sense of the Word station to have its message broadcasted? The liberal ideology has failed far too often, By CARMINE TORCHETTI, JR. The liberal media has NBC, CBS, ABC, and every time the liberal policies fail this MSNBC and CNN. From that aspect alone: nation, it is even further validation that we Who has had it with average liberal’s view of the media. Of course Five major networks that are liberal leaning can’t trust the mainstream media and further the mainstream media? Me. no liberal will feel the media is slanted and one major network that is conserva- validation that the Conservative way is the For a variety of reasons, the because it is their views being expressed. tive leaning. That to me is very unfair and “right” way, for more reasons than one. Be most “prominent” sources However, in the current reality, the major unbalanced. By the way, when asked for his Safe and Be Well. story is the sexual harassment allegations opinion on the criticism that Fox News is of news and information have gone out Carmine Torchetti is the host of The against Herman Cain. Liberal commenta- conservatively biased, News Corp. founder of their way to attempt instability within Conservative Torch Radio Program on WGRN, tors such as Lawrence O’Donnell are taking and consequentially the boss of Fox News, the Conservative movement. When I was the Westchester Guardian Radio Network. the airways and calling on Cain’s “victims” Rupert Murdoch, stated that he broadcasts younger, I was in a History class in High Future aspirations include taking his conserva- to come forward on his show and he would what is popular. Conservative thoughts and School. My teacher was a liberal and made tive message nationally, so as to demonstrate the give them a voice and give them assistance, ideologies are popular as this nation has no point to hide that fact. Ironically, it is he importance of implementing Conservative ideals as he put it. Of course Mr. O’Donnell would traditionally been a center-right nation. The who I credit for involving me in politics in for the betterment of the nation. For more infor- do this because he would love to deteriorate Founding Fathers, the men we attribute the first place. His strong positions and his mation on Carmine or the radio program, please any reputation of Herman Cain since he is our national and social existence to, were discussion of them allowed me to strengthen visit www.theconservativetorch.com. my viewpoint and realize that I contrasted a legitimate threat to Obama’s presidency. Conservatives. The Constitution itself is a him in so many ways. Be that as it may, The NBC/Politico debate at the Reagan Conservative document. this teacher was once discussing the media’s Library showed the moderates attempting So, in essence, the current state of coverage of the war in Iraq, as the U.S. was to increase infighting within the G.O.P. until the media is a circus, in so many ways. Coins & Currency, in the infancy stages of that conflict at the Newt Gingrich stepped in and said he didn’t Well Carmine, WABC radio is highly time. As a conservative, I stated that I felt appreciate the moderators attempt at causing Conservative with Limbaugh, Hannity, Gold & Silver the media was only showing images of death fighting nor was he interested in being a part Levin, etc. That argument to me is unnec- and destruction. They weren’t publishing the of that cause by the liberal media. essary as there are many more liberal TV Wanted photos of young Iraqi children smiling and People will argue that Fox News isn’t real Networks than there are Conservative Radio cheering with American troops. The media news because it is rooted in a Conservative Networks. Here’s a riddle for you: What do Experienced collector and wasn’t showing American troops carrying bias. Two points to that. First, Fox News you get when you mix liberal views and talk part-time dealer will identify Iraqi’s to safety in their arms. All you saw will give significant air time to many left- radio? The answer: failure. The example: Air your holdings, explain how to was violence, death, and demonization of wingers. Just to name a few, Kirsten Powers, America, which lasted less than six years on determine value, and make our resolve and our troops. This angered me Bob Beckel, Geraldo Rivera, Allan Colmes, the air. Now what are the liberal pundit’s greatly. I raised my hand and said “with the etc… Hence their slogan, fair and balanced. answers to that? One can only image some you a strong offer or sell for media being liberally biased…” My teacher The average viewer would never find as nonsensical excuse. you on consignment. cut me off and said in an annoyed tone “but many Conservatives on a left-wing station I am proud to be a Conservative for References available. the media isn’t very liberal.” such as CNN or MSNBC, with as much so many reasons. I am proud to think such This story, to me, is a snapshot of the given air-time. Secondly, even if Fox News an ideology that has allowed this nation to WEIR ONLY HUMAN

spent supporting the troops. It was a time It Was the Time of Heroes when men shed their blood fighting on the [email protected] battlefield and women backed them up with By BOB WEIR their sweat and tears in defense plants from coast to coast. It was a time when families I’m not old enough to decade after the troops came back home, the prayed together and prominently displayed remember the mood of the films continued to portray the greatness of flags in front of their homes to show their country during World War II, our country and its fight for freedom around love of country and their support of the men but America’s sentiments can the world. It was a time of John Wayne, in uniform. Legendary comedian, Bob Hope be readily understood by viewing any of the James Stewart, and Betty Grable, major stars 914-649-3317 was entertaining the troops at military bases movies made during the war against the Axis whose patriotism was self-evident in the roles [email protected] powers in Europe. Even during the 1950s, a they played and the additional time they Continued on page 22 Page 22 The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011

WEIR ONLY HUMAN It Was the Time of Heroes Mussolini and Hirohito in four years if we sometimes war is the only option available women stationed in war zones who need our had been bombarded at home by the squalid to keep the peace, takes a greater level of support and our prayers. Keeping a patriotic Continued from page 21 multitudes of ragtag renegades that blan- maturity and life experience. Without the tradition alive, groups of entertainers will be around the world, accompanied by other keted the airwaves and print media during Revolutionary War there would not have deployed during Thanksgiving week to that major Hollywood celebrities. It was a time the Vietnam War. been a United States of America. If we had mountainous hellhole called Afghanistan, in in our history when we knew the good guys Something terrible has happened to not entered World War 2 as Europe was order to bring a taste of home to the men and from the bad guys. It was the time of heroes. our country. A malignancy has crept into being conquered, we certainly would have women serving their country. As we pray for Since the turbulent 60’s with its anti- the American psyche, turning many people been next. Even the Civil War, which had the safety of our troops, let’s include those American rhetoric and its drug-induced into self-absorbed hedonists with a blasé Americans killing Americans, was necessary who are giving up their time with family and revolution against propriety, we have attitude toward those who have bled and to preserve the Union and break the chains friends to share the joys of the season with witnessed an erosion of values that has died so that they could live in freedom that held an entire race in bondage. Although the brave volunteers who fight and die so that sought to turn religion into a prohibited and prosperity. I suppose an aberrant type we can wax philosophically about there being we won’t have to. practice and patriotism into a foolish philos- of complacency implants itself into one’s no winners in war, there would certainly have Bob Weir is a veteran of 20 years with the New ophy only engaged in by fascists. The Beverly subconscious when one’s safety and security been losers if brave men and women didn’t York Police Dept. (NYPD), ten of which were Hills glitterati has been taken over by leftists have always been arranged from afar. If you, stand up against evil tyrants. performed in plainclothes undercover assign- like Michael Moore, Susan Sarandon, Sean or a family member, never had to fight in a As we celebrate Veterans Day, let’s keep ments. Bob began a writing career about 12 Penn and other assorted wretches who are war zone and never learned the meaning of in mind that the freedoms we enjoy weren’t years ago and had his first book published in free; they were paid for with an ocean of loath to find anything noble or decent about near-death experiences, you might tend to 1999. Bob went on to write and publish a total blood. If you attend ceremonies during this the country that feeds, clothes, and shelters ignore those who suffered and died to spare of seven novels, “Murder in Black and White,” special day you will meet some of the heroes their worthless hides. Can you imagine these you that nightmare. It doesn’t take much “City to Die For,” “Powers that Be,” “Ruthie’s who made it possible for you and me to have people espousing their anti-American views courage to speak loftily about the evils of war Kids,” “Deadly to Love,” “Short Stories of Life the advantage of free speech, free elections, during the 1940s or 50s? Although it’s one from the comfortable sanctuary of your living and Death,” and “Out of Sight.” He also became freedom to worship, and many other liberties of the imponderables of life, I can’t help room, surrounded by family and friends. It’s a syndicated columnist under the title “Weir Only that we too often take for granted. Remember wondering if we could have defeated Hitler, easy to be against war; only a maniac would Human.” feel otherwise. However, recognizing that also that there are still thousands of men and

LETTER TO THE EDITOR about the problem within the Seventh-Day SDA religion. The secrecy, silence and If rapist and molesters are our brothers in Adventist Church. They have being oper- invisibility is what has let to the out of spiral Christ, I guess that would include; Mao Tse ating as a religious institution but at it’s core control. Tsang, Adolf Hitler, Son of Sam and Jim is a occult that exploits women and children. I know that it sounds mind boggling to Jones. My mistake not those guys, it’s the I wrote to several newspaper and even to you that a church would condone this level ones who commit crime in secret. the White House and I have received zero of violence and exploitation against women Every attempt to hold sexual assault response. and children. Needless to say the devastating awareness in SDA church to educate young Over the past several years, countless impact from psychological to health related women have been opposed because most of Growing Violence in women within the Adventist church have (HIV, STD, unwanted pregnancy, difficulty the sexual assault is happening within the Black Communities in shared their horrific encounter of being learning and the list goes on). The out of church. The health message is used as anti- sexually assaulted by the men in the SDA control spiral epidemic is as result of the dote to conceal the sexual assault epidemic Westchester church. It’s devastating!! You might not be church giving amnesty to the perpetrators that plagues the church. It’s very obvious the I am so ecstatic to see that there are aware because you are African American while the victim is victimized over and over health message is NOT effective because the other upholding members of the commu- and were not raised in the Caribbean. It’s again. The victims are often brainwashed women in the church encounter some type nity (reference: Damon K. Jones) who share a part of the “CULTure” (cult-sub culture) that God will send ‘someone’ to take care of ailment; whether hypertension, diabetes my values and who see the plight of blacks where the men rape the women/girls and of the situation. So a mystical viewpoint is and the list goes. The women are the ones and the loud silence of domestic violence the women cover for their perpetrators used as a way to distract the victim from that are dying because their illnesses are a that has being destroying both the victim for various reasons. Some of these reasons dealing with the real issue. As a result the result of the trauma of rape/molestation that and the perpetrator. I was forwarded this include; fear, shame and financial depen- perp continue in search of his next victim left untreated. article by Nada from Westpac. I have been dence meaning not wanting the perpetrator and the next and next. Another coping Too many lives are being ruined and reaching out to several organizations and to loose his assets. It’s an inheritance from mechanism victims are given is that they are the church CANNOT continue to ignore politicians law enforcement you name it slavery which is heavily ingrained in the told that the perp is their brother in Christ. this problem. The men need to be educated as well. They need to stop blaming Caucasians or the devil and STOP raping LETTERS TO THE EDITOR the women/girls in the church. I work with several organizations to empower women of Please submit your Letter to the Editor electronically, that is by sexual assault, if you are ever interested in directing email to [email protected] Please confine your writing me doing a presentation at church I would be more than delighted. Please get back to to between 350 and 500 words. Your name, address, and telephone me with your input. contact is requested for verification purpose only. A Letter to the Editor Sincerely, Salome Thompson will be accepted at the editor’s discretion when space permits. Mount Vernon, NY A maximum of one submission per month may be accepted. The Westchester Guardian THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2011 Page 23

LEGAL NOTICES

QUICK CASH PAWN USA LLC Ar- QUICK CASH OF WESTCHESTER NOTICE OF FORMATION OF Slips En- FAMILY COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK ticles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State AVE. LLC Articles of Org. filed NY terprises, LLC. Arts of Org filed with COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER (SSNY) 9/12/2011. Office in West- Sec. of State (SSNY) 2/18/2009. the Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on In the Matters of ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE chester Co. SSNY design. Agent of Office in Westchester Co. SSNY 8/26/11. Office loc: WESTCHESTER INQUEST NOTICE LLC upon whom process may be design. Agent of LLC upon whom Cty. SSNY designated as agent upon Chelsea Thomas (d.o.b. 7/14/94), (Child Neglect Case) served. SSNY shall mail copy of pro- process may be served. SSNY shall whom process may be served and Cheyenne Thomas (d.o.b. 2/1/96) and cess The LLC 2712 E. Tremont Ave. mail copy of process to The LLC 2712 shall mail a copy of any process to Michael Thomas (d.o.b. 5/18/98), Dkt Nos. NN-10514/15/16-10/11a Bronx, NY 10461. Purpose: Any law- East Tremont Ave Bronx, NY 10461 the principal business address: 1505 NN-2695/96-10/11A ful activity. Purpose: Any lawful activity. Nepperhan Ave. Yonkers, NY 10703. Children Under 21 Years of Age NN- 2695/96-10/11A Purpose: any lawful acts. Adjudicated to be Neglected by NN-7129-10/11A REELWOMAN ASSETS, LLC Articles Uchimsya, LLC Articles of Org. filed FU No.: 22303 of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 08.29.2011. HYDE PARK CAPITAL ADVISORY LLC Tiffany Ray and Kenneth Thomas, 8/10/2011. Office in Westchester Co. Office in Westchester Co. SSNY de- Authority filed with Secy. of State of SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon sign. Agent of LLC upon whom pro- NY (SSNY) on 10/19/11. Office loca- Respondents. whom process may be served. SSNY cess may be served. SSNY shall mail tion: Westchester Co. LLC formed in shall mail copy of process The LLC copy of process to Uchimsya LLC PO Delaware (DE) on 9/26/11 SSNY des- NOTICE: PLACEMENT OF YOUR CHILD IN FOSTER CARE MAY RESULT IN YOUR LOSS OF YOUR RIGHTS TO YOUR CHILD. 57 Worthington Rd. White Plains, NY Box 523 Yonkers NY 10705. Purpose: ignated as agent of LLC upon whom IF YOUR CHILD STAYS IN FOSTER CARE FOR 15 OF THE MOST RECENT 22 MONTHS, THE AGENCY MAY BE REQUIRED 10607. Purpose: Any lawful activity Any lawful activity. process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to The LLC BY LAW TO FILE A PETITION TO TERMINATE YOUR PARENTAL RIGHTS AND COMMITMENT OF GUARDIANSHIP AND DENNING PROPERTIES, LLC Articles WISE BODY HEALTH, LLC Articles 318 Cliff Ave Pelham, NY 10803. DE CUSTODY OF THE CHILD FOR THE PURPOSES OF ADOPTION, AND MAY FILE BEFORE THE END OF THE 15-MONTH address of LLC: 16192 Coastal Hwy PERIOD. of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 8/4/2011. Office in Westchester Co. 10/14/2011. Office in Westchester Lewes, DE 19958. Arts. Of Org. filed SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon with DE Secy. of State, PO Box 898 UPON GOOD CAUSE, THE COURT MAY ORDER AN INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE NON-RESPONSENT whom process may be served. SSNY whom process may be served. SSNY Dover, DE 19903. Purpose: Any law- PARENT(s) SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS A RESPONDENT; IF THE COURT DETERMINES THE CHILD SHOULD BE RE- shall mail copy of process C/O Mr. shall mail copy of process The LLC 38 ful activity. MOVED FROM HIS/HER HOME, THE COURT MAY ORDER AN INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE NON-RE- Philip Denning 191 Beech St. East- E. Lake Dr. Katonah, NY 10536. Pur- SPONDENT PARENT(s) SHOULD BE SUITABLE CUSTODIANS FOR THE CHILD; IF THE CHILD IS PLACED AND REMAINS chester, NY 10709. Purpose: Any law- pose: Any lawful activity. BLUEBERRY HILL ACRES, LLC Ar- IN FOSTER CARE FOR FIFTEEN OF THE MOST RECENT TWENTY-TWO MONTHS, THE AGENCY MAY BE REQUIRED TO ful activity. ticles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State FILE A PETITION FOR TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS OF THE PARENT(s) AND COMMITMENT OF GUARDIAN- BEDBUG DETECTION OF WEST- (SSNY) 6/23/2011. Office in West- SHIP AND CUSTODY OF THE CHILD FOR THE PURPOSES OF ADOPTION, EVEN IF THE PARENT(s) WERE NOT NAMED TLHM CONSULTING LLC Articles of CHESTER, LLC Articles of Org. filed chester Co. SSNY design. Agent of AS RESPONDENTS IN THE CHILD NEGLECT OR ABUSE PROCEEDING. Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 10/4/2011. LLC upon whom process may be 8/2/2011. Office in Westchester Co. Office in Westchester Co. SSNY de- served. SSNY shall mail copy of pro- A NON-CUSTODIAL PARENT HAS THE RIGHT TO REQUEST TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT CUSTODY OF THE CHILD SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon sign. Agent of LLC upon whom pro- cess C/O Salvatore M. Di Costanzo, AND TO SEEK ENFORCEMENT OF VISITATION RIGHTS WITH THE CHILD. whom process may be served. SSNY cess may be served. SSNY shall mail McMillan, Constabile, Maker & shall mail copy of process The LLC 15 copy of process C/O Salvatore M. Di Perone, LLP 2180 Boston Post Rd. BY ORDER OF THE FAMILY COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK Plymouth Rd. Chappaqua, NY 10514. Costanzo McMillan, Constabiler Et Al Larchmont, NY 10538. Purpose: Any TO THE ABOVE-NAMED RESPONDENT(S) WHO RESIDE(S) OR IS FOUND AT [specify address(es)]: Purpose: Any lawful activity.2 column 2180 Boston Post Rd. Larchmont, NY lawful activity.1 column 10538. Purpose: Any lawful activity. TIFFANY RAY CHOCOTAKU LLC Articles of Org. Last known address: c/o Sharing Community filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 1 Hudson Street 7/14/2011. Office in Westchester Co. Yonkers, NY 10701 SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon AND whom processGet may be served. KENNETH THOMAS SSNY shall mail copy of process C/O United States Corporation Agents, Last known address: 14 Intervale Place, Apt, #2B Get Noticed Inc. 7014 13th Ave. Ste. 202 Brooklyn, Yonkers, NY 10705 Noticed NY 11228. Registered Agent: United States Corporation Agents, Inc. 7014 The petitions under Article 10 of the Family Court Act having been filed with this Court alleging that the 13th Ave. Ste. 202 Brooklyn, NY 11228 above-named children are neglected children. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to appear before this Court at Yonkers Family Court located at 53 So. ACTIVE PHYSICAL THERAPY PLLC Broadway, Yonkers, New York, on the of November 28, 2011 at 9:30 a.m. in the forenoon of said day to answer the peti- Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State tion and to show cause why said child should not be adjudicated to be a neglected child and why you should not be (SSNY) 9/30/2011. Office in West- dealt with in accordance with the provisions of Article 10 of the Family Court Act. chester Co. SSNY design. Agent of PLLC upon whom process may PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE, that you have the right to be represented by a lawyer, and if the Court be served. SSNY shall mail copy of finds you are unable to pay for a lawyer, you have the right to have a lawyer assigned by the Court. process LegalThe PLLC 35 Notices, Sheldrake Ave. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE, that if you fail to appear at the time and place noted above, the Court will Larchmont, NY 10538. Purpose: Any hear and determine the petition as provided by law. Legal Notices, Advertise Today lawful Advertiseactivity. Today

Dated: October 6, 2011 BY ORDER OF THE COURT ______/s/ ______CLERK OF THE COURT

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