HUD Vs. Astorino
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WESTCHESTER’S OLDEST AND MOST RESPECTED NEWSPAPERS Vol 53 Number 13 www.RisingMediaGroup.com Friday, March 25, 2016 HUD vs. Astorino: The Westchester Pols Steer Never-Ending Soap Opera Clear of Trump By Dan Murphy page report and did not find any evidence or The federal-appointed monitor James documentation that Westchester County was in Johnson’s most recent report to the court re- violation of any of the terms of the affordable garding the now housing settlement. eight-year (and Instead, John- counting) settle- son spent the entire ment between the ‘The monitor’s report report focused on U.S. Department of what he called “mis- Housing and Urban places a chilling effect statements” by Asto- Development and on the First Amendment rino both in public Westchester County meetings, television to build 750 units rights of the county appearances and of affordable hous- executive and anyone an op-ed he wrote ing in 31 white and who disagrees with the on the settlement. affluent communi- Johnson’s objections ties throughout the monitor’s opinions.’ to Astorino’s pub- county has re-ignited Ned McCormack, lic comments, and the public dispute Westchester County’s between Johnson communications efforts to promote, and County Execu- highlight and rectify director for Donald Trump in happier, bipartisan times at his Trump National Golf Club with former Presi- tive Robert Astorino. housing discrimina- dent Bill Clinton, former New York City Mayors Rudy Guiliani and Michael Bloomberg, actor Johnson, the County Executive tion in Westchester, Billy Crystal and former New York Yankee Manager Joe Torre, in 2008. federal monitor ap- Robert Astorino in his report focused pointed by HUD on the following: By Dan Murphy required 1,237 delegates. The lack of endorse- to make sure West- * Astorino’s The response to Republican presidential ments for Trump from Westchester Republicans chester is complying comments that West- front runner Donald Trump will vary from points to the uncertainty that many have about with the settlement chester may actually Westchester elected officials depending on a Trump for president campaign, and what im- agreement made by former County Executive have to build 10,768 units of affordable housing whether you are chatting with a Democratic or pact it will have on the November “down the Andy Spano in 2009, submitted his most recent and not just 750. Johnson references the terms Republican, and on or off the record. Democrats ballot” elections in the county. report March 17. We read Johnson’s entire 57- Continued on Page 8 will tell you on the record that Trump is sending Off the record, many Westchester Demo- a dangerous and unsettling message of fear and crats share that same concern, and are unclear hate to many Americans. about what impact, if any, Trump will have on Republicans in Westchester would prefer their own 2016 elections. to remain silent, and quiet on Trump until he “The usual model for a presidential elec- Golfweek’s Top 10 Ranks becomes the official nominee and secures the Continued on Page 8 Pound Ridge Golf Club First Medical Marijuana Dispensary Coming to West. Pound Ridge Golf Course is the only Westchester course designed by legendary architect Pete Dye, which is open to the public. Etain will soon begin to distribute medical marijuana in the form of pills, sprays and oils in Pound Ridge Golf Club, Pete Dye’s only New ing Bethpage Black, Turning Stone Resort and Westchester. York design, has done it again – ranking in the Leatherstocking at Cooperstown. Pound Ridge By Dan Murphy Etain is a family-run, women-owned busi- top 10 in “Golfweek’s Best: State-by-State Cours- debuted at number 11 in 2009, one year after Plans to open the first medical marijuana ness committed to manufacturing clean, safe es You Can Play” for the seventh straight year. opening, and has steadily evolved into a course dispensary in Westchester are moving ahead and consistent medical marijuana products for The Westchester County daily-fee course, appreciated by a wide swath of players. with Etain, LLC, which has been designated un- patients in New York State. In 2009, Frances rated number eight on the magazine’s annual list, “We are extremely honored by the Golf- der the New York State Compassionate Care Act Keeffe, a longtime musician, educator and an is once again in elite company alongside PGA week recognition and delighted with the way the of 2014 to offer its products to individuals with active member of the Scarsdale Congregational Tour venues and world-famous courses includ- Continued on Page 9 severe medical conditions. Etain will open its Church, was diagnosed with ALS. She spent her first Westchester office on Nepperhan Avenue in life dedicated to the happiness of her family, and Yonkers within the next three months. Continued on Page 9 Happy Easter! Stepinac Students Begin Independent Research Study Two Stepinac High School juniors have earned the honor of participating in high level independent med- ical research studies with renowned medi- cal institutions based in New York City. The rare opportunity is the result of an initiative launched two years ago by Stepinac, designed to identify, prepare and link qualified students with top researchers to take part in cutting- Village Lutheran Church Pastors Morris Mayer, Robert Hartwell and Scott Gemmin; and First Communicants Gavin Benton, Wylie Coleman, Claire Elliott, Tommy Forliano, Oliver Nordahl, edge scientific studies. Elle Pinto, Sofia Renzo, Cullen Slattery, Sean Slattery, Olivia Sturek and Janelle Sullivan. Starting with the current spring semester, The staff at Rising Media Group would like Sunday. Receiving their first communion at Harshal Shet of White to wish our Westchester readers a Happy Easter. the service March 13 were 11 young people in- Plains and Patrick Members of the Village Lutheran Church cluding students from Bronxville, Mt. Vernon, Magliocchino of Thorn- in Bronxville recently celebrated early First Eastchester, Tuckahoe, Pelham, Scarsdale and wood are busy not only Stepinac High School’s young medical science researchers, Harsal Communion for children in their congregation, the Bronx with a full plate of aca- Shet of White Plains and Patrick Magliocchino of Thornwood. after attending three classes presented by Se- Village Lutheran Church and The Chapel demic studies and ex- nior Pastor Robert Hartwell, and a celebratory School are located at 172 White Plains Road, tracurricular activities, open new doors in the treatment of drug ad- First Communion lock-in March 4. The lock- Bronxville (across the street from Concordia but also spending time as members of medi- diction and ovarian cancer in women. The in consisted of games, devotions and banner- College). For more information, call 914-337- cal research teams comprised of top physicians studies are scheduled to be completed by the making in preparation of First Communion 0207 or visit www.VLC-NY.ORG. and other medical specialists whose work may Continued on Page 10 PAGE 2 - NORTH CASTLE RISING - FRIDAY, March 25, 2016 Woman’s Club Retells Story Westchester Hoops Star Of 1st White Plains City Flag Shines in March Madness Sixty-eight years ago, on March 23, 1949, the Woman’s Club of White Plains donated to the city of White Plains its first official flag, as well as a new American flag. Club President Ethel Kent and Civic Committee Chairwoman Ella Sikes presented the flags to White Plains Mayor Silas Clark. When White Plains officially became a city in 1916, an official city seal was adopted, but an of- ficial city flag was not. During a meeting for the planning of the Independence Day celebration in 1942, the need for a flag became apparent, but further work on it was suspended due to World War II. In 1948, at the suggestion of the Woman’s Club, the quest for a new flag was renewed. The mayor appointed a commission to trace the background of the city seal and to make recommendations for a city flag. Representatives from the Common Council, the Daugh- ters of the American Revolution, the White Plains Public Library Chris Roithmayr, president of the White Plains Woman’s and the Woman’s Club were se- Club, with Mayor Thomas Roach with the present-day flag. lected for the task. The official seal of the City of White Plains incorporated the colors of blue and buff, repre- senting the colors used by the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, as well as the flag carried during the Battle of White Plains. This flag consisted of a crossed sword and staff, sur- mounted by a liberty cap. The motto of Patriot Patrick Henry, “liberty or death,” is written above the design. The seal also contains the words “Semper Fi- delis,” meaning “always faithful,” and the years 1683, 1776 and 1915. The dates correspond to the deeding of White Plains by the Indians, the Battle Oklahoma point guard and Mt. Vernon High School alum Isaiah Cousins represents West- of White Plains and the 1915 act incorporating chester in the Sweet 16 round of March Madness. White Plains as a city. By Dan Murphy programs and universities. A graduate of Mt. After much research and inspection of old While Iona’s trip to the NCAA men’s bas- Vernon High School, Cousins led MVHS to a town flags, the committee submitted a sketch of ketball tournament – better known as March 23-3 record and second straight New York Pub- its recommendation for the flag to the Common Madness – ended quickly with a 91-84 loss to lic High School Athletic Association Class AA Council. On Feb. 7, 1949, at the Common Council Iowa State in the first round, Mt. Vernon basket- state championship. meeting, this flag was adopted as the official flag Ethel Kent presents a flag to White Plains Mayor Silas Clark on March 23, 1949.