WESTCHESTER’S OLDEST AND MOST RESPECTED NEWSPAPERS Vol 115 Number 3 www.RisingMediaGroup.com Friday, January 18, 2019 Scarpino Won’t Prosecute Senate Maj. Leader Stewart-Cousins, From Westchester, Makes History Low-Level Pot Arrests How Did She Get Into the Room Where it Happens in Albany? Decriminalization vs. Legislation State Sen. Andera Stewart-Cousins, surrounded by her children and grandchildren, takes the By Dan Murphy lateral damage such a conviction might impose. oath of office from New York State Chief Judge Janet DiFiore to serve as State Senate majority leader. Effective immediately, Westchester District Specifically, the D.A.’s Office will no lon- Attorney Anthony Scarpino Jr.’s office is imple- ger prosecute the violation offense in Penal Law By Dan Murphy governor, Assembly speaker and Senate majority menting change in the handling of low-level §221.05, unlawful possession of marijuana; The swearing-in ceremony of State Sen. An- leader, all reserved for men before her admission. marijuana offenses in Westchester County. Under and the B misdemeanor offense in Penal Law drea Stewart-Cousins to become the next State “It took 242 years, but – finally – a woman this new policy, the possession of small amounts §221.10, fifth-degree criminal possession of Senate majority leader and the first female major- is in charge of the New York State Senate. And (2 ounces or less) of marijuana will no longer marijuana, based on the possession of an aggre- ity leader was covered across the country. Stewart- – in the newly-elected NYS Senate, now 20 of result in a criminal conviction, negating the col- Continued on Page 8 Cousins, who has represented the 35th District of the 63-member body are women (still not an ac- Westchester since 2006 and the City of Yonkers, curate reflection of the state’s gender make-up both as a senator and county legislator for 20 years, but a heck of a lot better),” wrote Choice Matters. broke the glass ceiling with this election by her “The changing demographics of New York State democratic peers in the State Senate to lead their are more clearly reflected by this Senate body than conference for the eighth year, giving her the right any before it. Among the newly-elected senators Latimer Signs Billion-Dollar to enter “the room where it happens in Albany” are the first Muslim, first Iranian-American, first Bio-Tech Deal and the annual budget negotiations between the Continued on Page 8 Early Election Decisions as State Changes Primary to June A rendering of the bio-tech hub planned for the North 60, a county-private development project. In a long discussed deal to bring the bio- his ability to finalize agreements and enhance tech industry to Westchester County, County the county’s business climate. “As I learned in Executive George Latimer and Fareri Associ- my business life, there is a risk for everything, ates President John Fareri officially signed the things don’t always turn out as you plan, but if 99-year lease of county property known as North you don’t take risk – prudent risk – you don’t Candidates for office in Westchester and across New York State will have to receive their nominations and collect signatures earlier this year, and every year moving forward. 60, comprised of 60 acres of undeveloped land in succeed. In this case, the 60 acres here will be Valhalla on the Grasslands Reservation. a bio-tech center that can attract people to our By Dan Murphy Latimer finalized the deal at the Westchester area where they will see Westchester as a central June. One of the first acts taken by State Senate County Association Breakfast, a move to signify This action would save an estimated $50 mil- Continued on Page 8 Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and the lion in the cost of holding two primaries, which has democratic majorities in the State Senate and As- been the case in New York since the federal prima- sembly, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo is a voting re- ry was changed to June to accommodate overseas form package that includes moving the date for the veteran voters. Real Estate Market Shows New York primary from early September to late Continued on Page 6 High Inventory Slowing Sales Prices Slightly Higher Stepinac Alumni Alda & Voight Star in ‘Ray Donovan’ David Rockefeller’s Westchester country estate, Hudson Pines, listed for $22 million, sold for a record-setting $33 million. The real estate markets in the suburbs north somewhat higher in all three counties: Westches- of New York City finished 2018 with generally ter, $650,000, up 1.2 percent; Putnam, $350,000, Stepinac alumni Jon Voight and Alan Alda with their teacher/mentor the Rev. Bernie McMahon in 2009. slower sales, higher inventory in most markets up 4 percent; and Dutchess, $281,500, up 8.3 and a decline in pending sales, according to a re- percent. Recently, famed Stepinac High School scenes, in either a television show, motion pic- port released last week by Houlihan Lawrence. Inventory in Westchester grew by 9.5 per- alumni actors Alan Alda and Jon Voight shared ture or play. Home sales in Westchester County were cent with the New York City Gateway submarket screen time in an episode of the sixth season of In the ninth episode, “Dream On,” multiple down 4.6 percent from the prior year while sales (Mount Vernon, Yonkers, New Rochelle and Pel- Ray Donovan, the hit Showtime series. Accord- Emmy and Golden Globe winner Alda plays a in Putnam County were up slightly by 3 percent, ham) posting the highest increase in inventory ing to a Google search, this may well have been psychiatrist in scenes with Ray Donovan’s lead Dutchess County sales declined 6.6 percent for of 35.2 percent. Putnam’s inventory remained the first time the legendary actors in their long actor, Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Liev the year. Meanwhile, median sale prices were Continued on Page 9 careers appeared together, although in separate Continued on Page 8 PAGE 2 - RYE RISING - FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019 Serve & Volunteer Cheerleaders Vie for Top Th is MLK Jr. Day Honors at County Center Find a way to volunteer for this year’s MLK Jr. Day of Service. Americans across the country celebrate the 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Westchester Reform Temple, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. by holding make-a- 255 Mamaroneck Ave., Scarsdale. difference events. Many Westchester residents Fifty volunteers of all ages will pack food have also turned MLK Jr. Day into a yearly tradi- bags to benefi t the food pantry at the Westchester tion of volunteerism and public service. Jewish Community Services Mary J. Blige Center The Byram Hills High School cheerleaders, one of many Westchester teams participating in Volunteer New York has a number of events in Yonkers, and write messages of encouragements the Westchester County Cheerleading Invitational on Jan. 22 and 23. scheduled this Saturday, Jan. 19. Many of the to recipients. This event will take place from 9:30 events are full and are only accepting waiting-list to 10:30 a.m. at the JCC of Mid-Westchester, 999 request to volunteer, which shows the success of Wilmot Road, Scarsdale. More than 1,000 cheerleaders represent- Competitions will begin at 5:30 p.m. on the event that honors the legacy of Dr. King. Visit More than 150 volunteers of all ages will ing schools from Westchester and surrounding both nights. The U.S. Marine Corps will pres- .volunteernewyork.org/mlk for more information. put Dr. King’s words into action when they pack counties will run, jump, tumble and pyramid ent the colors for the opening ceremony each #MLKDay is a national day of service meant emergency kits, known as Blizzard Boxes, for lo- at the annual Westchester County Cheerlead- evening. The snow date is Thursday, Jan. 24. to empower individuals, strengthen communities, cal senior centers and food pantries to be used in ing Invitational on Tuesday and Wednesday, The Grand Champions trophy competi- bridge barriers, create solutions to social problems, the event of a winter weather emergency. Each Jan. 22 and 23 at the Westchester County Cen- tion, featuring the fi ve varsity division win- and pass on the message of Dr. King to future gen- box will be fi lled with non-perishable foods that ter in White Plains. ners, is scheduled for Wednesday. erations. Friends, family and groups are encour- make up a complete meal. In addition to creating “It’s been said that with football you get Annette Hroncich Westchester County aged to participate together. the boxes, children can make note cards to include four downs, in baseball you get three strikes, Cheerleading Association scholarships will be UJA-Federation of New York is offering vol- in the boxes, which they can decorate. This event but in cheerleading you have to get it right awarded based on candidates’ academic aver- unteer opportunities in Westchester County for its takes place from 10 a.m. to noon at Shames JCC on the fi rst time,” said Westchester County Ex- age, interview, written essay, school and com- MLK Day of Service on Jan. 21. More than 650 the Hudson, 371 S. Broadway. ecutive George Latimer. “Those breath-hold- munity involvement and cheerleading ability. people are expected to participate in four different In honor of Dr. King’s message, 140 West- ing, adrenaline-pumping moments make the Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for stu- events around the county. chester Hebrew high school students will deco- cheerleading competition exciting and fun.” dents with school I.D.