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Vol. 13/Number 16
Jovanovich mayoral speculation grows By CHRISTIAN FALCONE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF email@example.com
Councilman Peter Jovanovich, a Republican, is setting his sights on a possible mayoral run, The Rye Sound Shore Review has confirmed. Jovanovich, 64, sent an email to district leaders and others members of the Rye GOP last week notifying
them of his interest in the mayor's seat. He said that he has been approached by people in town about a possible candidacy and felt it might be a good idea for the party to have a choice for its nominee for the top elected city position, though he hasn't made up his mind yet. Jovanovich also said it might be beneficial for the party to air out
some issues and come to a consensus about a platform for the upcoming election, where the mayor's seat and three City Council seats are set to open. Jovanovich's term is set to expire at the end of the year. But having a party—besieged by infighting since 2011—heal its colJOVANOVICH continued on page 14
Auxiliary officer arrested, accused of forging warranty By ASHLEY HELMS STAFF REPORTER email@example.com
A Rye auxiliary police officer selling uniforms and equipment to police through his store turned himself into police on April 9 and is now facing charges that he allegedly compiled a fraudulent warranty letter in order to get a clothing contract from the city. John Holmes, 52, who owns New England Sportswear in White Plains, is accused of providing false docu-
ments from Blauer Manufacturing, a Boston-based manufacturer of police uniforms, to city officials on March 4. The letter stated that the uniforms would carry a one-year warranty, which the city required as part of their bid specifications. But prosecutors said that Holmes, who joined the police department in 2008, knew there was no warranty on the uniforms and that he wasn't authorized to sell them. After two previous bids were rejected, Holmes' proposal was accepted by a 6-1 vote
of the City Council, on March 20, believing it was the lowest responsible bidder. The recommendation for the bid came from Police Commissioner William Connors. New England Sportswear's bid was up against a bid from New England Uniform, another police uniform dealer based in Connecticut. Holmes, who lives in Port Chester, was charged with offering a false instrument for filing WARRANTY continued on page 7
April 19 , 2013
Parking plan causes tenant dissent By LIZ BUTTON STAFF REPORTER email@example.com
In the eyes of some shareholders at the Blind Brook Lodge condo located at 66 Milton Road, it seems that soon they really may "pave paradise and put up a parking lot," as the Joni Mitchell tune goes. Pictured is one of the victory gardens across the Facing a small street from the Blind Brook Lodge housing complex but vocal contin- located at 66 Milton Road. The gardens and a section gent of opposing of green space would be paved over if a condo plan to create a 97-space parking lot is shareholders, the board's approved. Contributed photo condo board has a proposal before the city's Zoning Board of Appeals to The group has zeroed in on keeping add 59 extra parking spots to the the board from paving over a swath existing 38-space tenant parking lot of green space surrounding the proacross the street at 75 Milton Road. posed lot, which contains World Around 30 shareholders signed a War II-era "victory" gardens and a petition opposing the project, which storage barn. they say will diminish the residential quality of the neighborhood. PARKING continued on page 15
Mehler announces second bid By ASHLEY HELMS STAFF REPORTER email@example.com
Jason Mehler, a registered independent, announced he plans to run for a seat on the City Council in November, making this the second year in a row that he has thrown his hat into the city's political ring. Mehler, 47, has lived in Rye since 2000 and has been working as a realtor for Better Homes and Gardens since 2003. He said his extensive background in budgeting, employment issues and cash flow anJason Mehler, 47, alysis will be is interested in essential in running for a seat helping the on the City Council council with in the November elections. fiscal acount-
ability. After working as an accountant for three different financial firms, Mehler ascended to the position of tax manager at Axium Payroll Services in 1998, where he worked until 2003. Axium, which provided payroll services to Hollywood film clients, filed for bankruptcy in 2008. "As a parent, homeowner, resident and someone who works in this great city, I want to assist in the process to make Rye the best place to live, visit, work and raise a family," Mehler said in a released statement. An active participant in the community, Mehler currently serves on the Rye Town Park Advisory Committee and the Rye Recreation Commission. His daughters, Emily and Rachel, attend the Milton and Osborn schools, respectively. Mehler's wife, Carin, is a fourth MEHLER continued on page 13
The Comets march in Rye's 57th annual Little League Opening Day Parade on April 13. Hundreds of young baseball and softball players hit the streets to celebrate the start of a new season. For more, see page 19. Photo/Mike Smith
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April 19, 2013 • THE RYE SOUND SHORE REVIEW • 3
Newcomer to seek school board seat By LIZ BUTTON STAFF REPORTER firstname.lastname@example.com
Nicole Weber said she and her husband William chose to move to Rye in May of last year based in large part on the excellent reputation of the city's school system. Now Weber wants to be part of the system. She will run for a seat on the district's Board of Education. If elected in May, Weber, 38, said she plans to use the skills she gained as a former financial analyst for Goldman Sachs to help her colleagues make the tough budgetary choices to preserve the quality of education Rye values and her two children have come to enjoy. Amid intense budget constraints caused by unfunded state mandates that force continued escalation of healthcare and pension costs, as well as the state's restrictive 2 percent property tax levy cap, building budgets has become harder than ever for school districts and municipal governments. The Board of Education unanimously adopted the administration's proposed budget at its meeting on Tuesday, which calls for $76.7 million in spending for the 2013-2014 school year—a $3 million increase over the current year's budget.
Nicole Weber
"It's a difficult time, but it's also a good time to find efficiencies and reallocate resources," Weber said. More recently, Weber worked as a human resources professional at SEAT continued on page 8
BOE adopts budget, mum on total layoffs By LIZ BUTTON STAFF REPORTER firstname.lastname@example.com
Constructing the Rye City School District's 2013-2014 budget has involved what Board of Education President Laura Slack called "an unprecedented level of work" by the administration, as school officials and board members have spent hours upon hours looking for efficiencies in order to keep budget cuts out of the classrooms. On Tuesday, the Board of Education unanimously adopted the $76.7 million spending package recommended by Superintendent Dr. Frank Alvarez, which cuts 27 full-time equivalent staffing positions and carries a projected property tax levy increase of 4.65 percent. Though the exact number of lay-offs remains undetermined, district officials. believe the number of layoffs will be around 20. The administration's budget also reflects a $3.1 million increase in spending from the current year's budget and carries an estimated tax rate increase of 4.59 percent. .The projected increase still falls under the state's two percent cap on property tax levy increases due to certain exemptions calculated within the tax cap formula. Originally, school officials projected that the district would have to cut 28 full-time positions-the biggest round of layoffs in the district's history-in an effort to reduce
$2.3 million from salary lines to keep the budget tax cap-compliant. The number was lowered to 27 earlier this month. "Something along the lines of 20 employees will lose their jobs entirely and dozens will have their jobs reduced," Slack said about the potential layoffs in 2013-2104 budget. Assistant Superintendent for Business Kathleen Ryan noted that, while the final budget figures stand, district officials were still finalizing adjustments in some of the salary lines. "The line-by-line budget that we have today is still in draft form because we were making sure that the [full-time equivalents] and the adjustments that are being made between the teaching aides, teaching assistants and the teaching staff at the secondary level are ultimately budgeted in the correct [salary] code," said Ryan. As evidenced by these unprecedented widespread reductions in staff, the district, like many others in the state, has had a rough time adapting to the governor's 2 percent tax cap environment, now in its second year of existence. That cap is accompanied by unfunded state mandates like the Annual Professional Performance Review for teachers, new requirements for standardized testing and the costs of implementing the state's BUDGET continued on page 16
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C ommunity Briefs County recruiting foster and adoptive homes There are hundreds of children in Westchester County who need a temporary, safe and loving home. Westchester County has a fantastic foster care system, however there are never enough homes for theses vulnerable children–especially babies, teens, and sibling groups. For information, calls United Way's 2-1-1 by dialing 211 or visit www.uwwp.org/foster. shtml Events at the Rye Library Earth Day events In conjunction with the Rye Rocks Earth Day 2013 celebrations, the Rye Free Reading Room will present two programs on Saturday, April 20. For adults, there will be an illustrated lecture at 11 a.m. by Kevin Woyce, an author, photographer and speaker specializing in New Jersey and New York regional history. His talk, which is entitled "Along the Coast: Lighthouses and Their Stories," will explore the history of lighthouses. For children, also at 11 a.m., there will be a special preschool story time for age 3 and a half and up with a "Go Green" theme and an outdoor planting activity. For more information about these programs, go to www.ryelibrary.org. Children's movie The Rye Free Reading Room invites children age five and up to see the movie "Rise of the Guardians," rated PG, on Friday, April 26, at 3:30 p.m. When the evil spirit Pitch launches an assault on Earth, the Immortal Guardians team up to protect the innocence of children all around the world. For more information, call 914-231-3162 or visit www.ryelibrary.org. Meet author Suzanne McNear Meet author and former Rye resident Suzanne McNear at the Rye Free Reading Room on Tuesday, April 30, at 7 p.m., and join your neighbors for a reading from her new book, "Knock Knock," which displays the same quirky, ironic sensibility that brought praise for her story collection "Drought." The new book, a full-length fictional work in the form of a memoir, carries the reader through the upheavals of the 60's and 70's-the impact of Betty Friedan, the assassination of President Kennedy, and the Vietnam War-in a style that is comic as well as painful and true. Books will be available for purchase and signing. For more information, call 914-2313161 or visit www.ryelibrary.org. Basic computer classes The Rye Free Reading Room will offer a two-session workshop on computer basics and surfing the Internet on Thursdays, May 2 and 9, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. The class covers using the mouse, keyboarding, activat-
ing computer programs and producing and printing a simple letter. No previous computer experience is necessary, and participants are expected to attend both sessions. For more information, go to www.ryelibrary.org or call 914-231-3161. No pre-registration is necessary.
Wheelchair basketball tournament Cerebral Palsy of Westchester's Barrier Breakers is proud to announce they will host a wheelchair basketball tournament on Tuesday, April 23rd at the Westchester County Center. The anticipation is building for the players, who will square off against their rivals the Wildcats from The Westchester School for Special Children. Tuesday April 23, 2013, admission is free. Doors Open: 5:30 p.m. Game Start: 6:00 p.m. The Westchester County Center is located at 198 Central Avenue in White Plains, New York 10606. Cat adoption day Saturday, April 27 12:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. PetSmart Kohl's Shopping Center 421 Boston Post Road Port Chester 10573 www.NY-PetRescue.org email@example.com 914-834-6955 Arbor Day tree walk Celebrate Arbor Day with an informative tree walk at The Osborn Arboretum at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 26, 2013. The Arbor Day Tree Walk will be led by Michael Penziner, nature enthusiast and longtime volunteer at the Rye Nature Center and New York Botanical Gardens. The tree walk is free and open to all. Coffee and baked goods will be served at 10:30 am. In the event of bad weather, Michael Penziner will provide an interesting and informative presentation on trees in The Osborn's parlor. Anyone interested in learning more about The Osborn Arboretum or to become a Friend of The Osborn Arboretum and Betty Neagle Perennial Garden, please contact Susan Olson at 925-8372 or email@example.com. Church spring tag sale The Thrift Shop at Rye Presbyterian Church-882 Boston Post Road-will hold a giant spring sale on Saturday, April 27, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Shoppers will find a large number of quality items, some even new. Items, priced to sell, include jewelry, handbags, china, silver, lamps, frames, linens, housewares, toys, games, books, collectibles, and easy-totransport furniture. All proceeds go to local nonprofit groups that help women, children, and the elderly. Run by volunteers, the thrift shop is also open most Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., September through June. Entrance is at side and back of church, Parsons St. and Milton Road. Deadline for our Community Briefs section is every Friday at 12 p.m. Though space is not guaranteed, we will do our best to accommodate your listing. Please send all items to firstname.lastname@example.com.
April 19, 2013 • THE RYE SOUND SHORE REVIEW • 5
Astorino asks HUD for hearing, hints at potential lawsuit By CHRIS GRAMUGLIA STAFF REPORTER firstname.lastname@example.com
County Executive Rob Astorino has made it clear that he is through getting pushed around by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. On April 10, the Republican county executive asked for a formal hearing with HUD to give the county the due process he feels it is entitled to, and to partner with the county Board of Legislators in order to seek an injunction that would prevent HUD from withholding $7.4 million in Community Development Block Grant funding that was promised to the county. Community Development Block Grant funding is given to municipalities by HUD for various needs, and are typically granted to provide more suitable housing for low and moderate income areas. Vincent Hom, the Director of Community Planning and Development at HUD, informed the county of the decision on March 25, and said that the funds would be redistributed into other communities around the nation after one month. Astorino called the move, "extortion based on nothing more than its unsupported opinions." Astorino said that, in a nation of laws, HUD must comply with the same rules as everyone else. The conflict between Weschester County and HUD stems from the fact that HUD has
repeatedly asked the county to produce evidence of exclusionary zoning since a lawsuit was brought forth against the county in 2009 by a housing advocacy group called the AntiDiscrimination Center of New York. The settlement, reached under then-County Executive Andy Spano, a Democrat, required that Westchester build 750 units of affordable housing in 31 of its 43 communities, pay the federal government $8.4 million and the housing advocacy group $2.5 million. Additonally, the settlement required that the county aggresively market the new housing projects to low-income individuals outside of Westchester. The county said it has complied with all of those terms, but HUD demanded that the county produce additional evidence of its exclusionary zoning by "affirmatively furthering fair housing"--a phrase that has not yet been defined by the department. Additionally, HUD asked that the county pressure its individual municipalities to bypass their zoning regulations in order to make installation of the affordable units easier. The issue of zoning in Westchester is unique since each municipality in the county has home rule authority on all matters related to planning and zoning; meaning each adopts its own zoning ordinances. Such authority is set by state law. In an attempt to show HUD that it is taking
the terms of the settlement seriously, the county underwent an analysis by the Pace University Land Use Center and has conducted several surveys of its zoning, but repeatedly found that race plays no role in the way residents are distributed throughout municipalities. "Let's be clear what's going on here," Astorino said. "HUD refuses to accept the conclusion of our objective and thorough analysis. To force the county to change its conclusions, it is holding hostage money that's been promised to our communities, some of them not even a party to the settlement and with the biggest needs." The Village of Mamaroneck is just one municipality that was not originally included in the settlement because it already contained a large amount of low-income housing, but is still being negatively affected by HUD's decision to withhold funds. On April 5, county Board of Legislators Chairman Ken Jenkins, a Yonkers Democrat, released a statement urging Astorino to comply with all of the terms of the settlement by promoting Source of Income legislation that would prevent realtors and landlords from discriminating against people based on their income. "The county board voted to direct the county executive to submit his version of Source of Income legislation," Jenkins said, who has annouced his candidacy to replace Astorino as
county executive in the fall. Astorino has previously stated that he would not promote such legislation, and is still asking that the Board of Legislators, "stand up for Westchester and against this punitive action brought on by HUD." Astorino said that if HUD denies the county a hearing and does not remedy its denial of the county's grant funding, the only alternative will be to fully contest the issue in court.
County Executive Rob Astorino has asked the Department of Housing and Urban Development for a hearing to prevent the department from following through on its threat to withhold $7.4 million in Community Development Block Grant funds. Democratic county legislators have urged Astorino to submit to the department's demands at the risk of even more severe consequences. Photo/Diana Costello
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Panel highlights need for statewide campaign finance reform By DANIEL OFFNER STAFF REPORTER email@example.com
In the wake of recent bribery scandals involving state Sen. Malcolm Smith, a Democrat, and Assemblyman Eric Stevenson, a Democrat, advocates across the state have been reinvigorated to push for a complete overhaul of state campaign finance. Members of Westchester for Change, a countywide group that advocates for progressive social and political change, held a community forum on April 11 to seek comprehensive solutions to the issue. The event, held at the Greenburgh Town Hall, featured a panel of speakers including state Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a Democrat, Democratic Assemblywoman Sandy Galef, Jessica Wisneski, campaign director for Citzen Action New York and Ian Vandewalker from the Brennan Center at New York University, who discussed the impact of special interest groups and large financial contributions on election outcomes. "It is not everyone's number one issue," said Wisneski, whose group spearheads the fair election movement in the state. "Money plays a powerful role in politics....you can see it in [the United States] congress, and up in Albany too." For Wisneski, the desire for campaign finance reform stems from the influence of corporate
Assemblywoman Sandy Galef, center, discusses campaign finance reform and what the public needs to do in order to change the status quo. Photo/Daniel Offner
contributions to state politics, which have traditionally outspent small donors 6-to-1. "We need to make small donors matter," Wisneski said, suggesting that the state lower the minimum contribution requirements and close any legal loopholes that make it difficult for unestablished candidates to run. Advocating for a comprehensive overhaul of the status quo, the panel outlined what lawmakers in Albany would need to do to implement campaign finance reform. Vandewalker, in a PowerPoint presentation,
explained that in New York City, a newly-implemented electoral contribution system has shown an increase in participation, diversity and competition. "By providing a 6-to-1 match [through the use of public funds] on small donations, more and more people [living in New York City] have gotten involved with the system," Vandewalker said. "It allows for civic participation in more ways than just writing a check." Assemblywoman Galef said she is hopeful
that, by the end of the legislative session, the state will have presented a number of reforms to the law surrounding campaign dollars. "It's a really tough sell, unless the public gets behind it," Galef said. "Campaign finance reform is not going to fix all of the problems." Stewart-Cousins recalled how the current method of collecting contributions has a tendency to dissuade some politicians from reaching out for small donations since it is much quicker and easier to reach out to those willing to contribute big bucks. "It is important how we reform how money is raised," said Stewart-Cousins. "The focus has to be clear…we need to get campaign finance that is real reform." Following the discussion, volunteers with Westchester for Change handed out petitions that call upon Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, to reform the system in such a way that would prevent further corruption and lessen the impact of big campaign dollars from special interest groups on election outcomes. "The problem with Gov. Cuomo is he talks a good game," said Elizabeth Saenger, co-organizer of Westchester for Change, "but he doesn't act on something like this." For more information on campaign finance reform or to sign the petition, visit fairelectionsny.org.
April 19, 2013 • THE RYE SOUND SHORE REVIEW • 7 WARRANTY continued from page 1
John Holmes, seen here, is facing two felony charges after he turned himself in to police on April 9. Holmes, who owns New England Sportswear in White Plains, is suspected of compiling a phony warranty letter in order to get a police uniform clothing contract from Rye Police. Holmes is an auxiliary police officer with the department.
and criminal possession of a forged document, both felonies, and faces up to four years in prison, according City Attorney Kristen Wilson. Wilson said that Holmes has been suspended from his duties, which were volunteer as an auxiliary police officer, and New England Sportswear's bid acceptance will be rescinded. The bid was for a two-year contract to provide the city's police uniforms. Wilson said that City Manager Scott Pickup received a letter regarding the bid on March 25 from Steven Blauer, vice president of Blauer Manufacturing. "Blauer said he never authorized the warranty, did not do business with New England Sportswear and did not sign it," Wilson said. Councilwoman Laura Brett, a Republican, said the main question surrounding Holmes' bid was the appearance of preferential treatment due to his role as an auxiliary officer. Brett did, however, vote to accept the bid on March 20. According to city officials, New England Sportswear's bid was the third one presented
to the City Council, as part of a process that had dragged on for months. During the bid process, New England Sportswear pointed out that one of the two authorized manufacturers of the uniforms had been purchased by another company and changed its name from "Perfection" to "Conqueror." The city rejected the bid in an effort to be as accurate as possible, the city manager's office said. On the second bid, New England Uniform claimed that its competitor, New England Sportswear, was not an authorized dealer of Blauer. Conversely, New England Sportswear claimed that New England Uniform was not an authorized dealer of Conqueror. As a result, both companies were informed that they needed to submit letters stating that their products would come with a warranty from the company. On March 20, the City Council received bids, each with warranty notices, from New England Sportswear and New England Uniform. After Holmes' bid was accepted and the city was notified of the fraudulent activity, Commissioner Connors began an investigation on April 4. Holmes turned himself in at Rye Police Headquarters on April 9 and was later arraigned. He was released on $1,500 bail. According to Wilson, New England Uniform's bid is still valid and may be considered by the City Council on April 17, after press time. Republican Councilman Joe Sack, who declared his candidacy for Rye City mayor last week, was the only member of the City Council who voted against Holmes' bid. The councilman said that he is unsure why the bids were changed three times and was unsatisfied with the answers he received when he posed questions at the March 20 meeting. "I didn't feel it was appropriate to award the bid to a Rye auxiliary cop," Sack said. "It would have raised at least the appearance of a conflict of interest." With respect to Sack's initial concerns with Holmes' bid, a paid city police officer had a minority ownership in New England Sportswear in 2008. The officer is still on the Rye police force, but no longer has a financial interest in the company, according to Wilson. Holmes' arrest comes on the heels of a string of a Rye Golf Club scandal in which the City Council, and City Manager Pickup in particular, have been criticized for a lack of oversight over staffing and purchasing.
8 • THE RYE SOUND SHORE REVIEW • April 19, 2013 SEAT continued from page 3
Bloomberg, Merrill Lynch and McKinsey. Coming from New York City schools to the Rye district, Weber and her husband enrolled their two boys, ages 7 and 5, in second grade at Midland School and Rye Presbyterian Nursery School. Weber, who has a degree in political science from Trinity College and an MBA from Cornell University, said she is an active volunteer and class parent at both schools. In order to comply with the tax cap, school administrators said they have attempted to shift staffing without cutting employees in an effort to save $2.3 million. The number that will be cut now stands at 27 full-time equivalent positions. Other reductions outlined in the adopted budget include cuts to the middle school's modified sports program, cutting an additional clerical and custodial position and reducing budgets for school clubs. In implementing its list of cuts, Weber said she thinks the board has done a good job looking for efficiencies and trying to keep the cuts out of the classroom. Unfortunately, it seems that schools throughout New York State will experience more of these painful budget seasons in the coming years, and Weber said she hopes to be there to help. "These efficiency exercises will be needed year after year as we operate under these budget constraints," she said. "That's where
I'd like to be helpful in working with the board, given our limited resources." Going forward, Weber hopes the board will be "engaging in a community discussion" about ways to preserve the district's core values within a tax cap environment. Weber said she was inspired by the level of community involvement in town and had been looking for a public service commitment that would align with her skill set, including her strong interest in her children's education. "I think I was really amazed when we joined the school community by the energy of the students, families, parents and teachers," Weber said. "It's a reflection that a school can be as amazing as a community wants it to be." There are two seats set to open up on the Board of Education. Weber is the third candidate to announce her intentions. Katy Keohane Glassberg, the board's vice president, is running for re-election, but Kendall Egan, a two-term member of the board, will not run again this year. Robert Zahm, a former Board of Education member who resigned in 2010, is also seeking a seat. Candidates interested in running for the school board have until May 1 to submit petitions. Members of the Board of Education are elected to three-year terms. The public vote on candidates and the budget takes place on May 21.
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10 • THE RYE SOUND SHORE REVIEW • April 19, 2013
urchasing a new heating and cooling system could be in your future. Selecting the right furnace for your home requires understanding the various products available. A two-stage heating system is preferred by many HVAC contractors and could be the right fit in your renovation.
of two-stage heating systems
Choosing a new furnace and heating components can be difficult. The business has its own terminology, and there are scores of different equipment manufacturers all claiming that their brand is the best. Buying a new heating system is also expensive, making the process more stressful. Not everyone has an unlimited budget or the ability to simply select the top-of-the-line model. Therefore, understanding which features make one furnace stand out from another can help consumers make the best possible decision. One factor that will come up as you browse for furnaces is whether to choose a single-stage furnace or a two- or dual-staged furnace. There are many advantages to the latter, which makes them a favorite of HVAC contractors. Two-stage furnaces are designed to change the way British Thermal Units (BTUs) of heat are delivered to
the home. In a single-stage system, when the thermostat registers a drop in home temperature that requires the heat to turn on, the furnace will produce one level of heat output until the desired temperature is reached. This furnace is designed to heat your home on the coldest days for your climate. In a two-stage system, the furnace provides gradual heat production. In the first stage, which usually operates at around 70 percent of the system's heating capacity, the system will try to warm the space. On mild winter days or chilly autumn days, the first stage may be all that's needed. If the home requires additional heating, the furnace will kick into the second stage, increasing the heating power. Some two-stage furnaces not only offer two BTU offerings, but two blower speeds as well. One of the advantages to these furnaces are that the two-stage system eliminates drastic temperature
swings, which are common among single-stage furnaces. This can mean the home is more comfortable over a longer period of time. Another benefit is that because the system starts in the lower stage and may operate at that stage more so than in the second stage, the furnace is generally quieter than traditional furnaces. This greatly reduces the initial noise of turning on the furnace at full power. Two-stage furnaces will burn fuel more efficiently and may actually burn less fuel if they spend the majority of the time in the first stage of operation. If they have a variable speed blower, they may even save you money in electricity costs. Two-stage furnaces may cost more money initially because they tend to be more expensive than traditional furnaces. But over time two-stage systems might pay for themselves in efficiency, noise reduction and comfort in a home.
Did you know?
Many times it is to a homeowner's advantage to open the drapes and let sunlight shine in. Still, for shift workers, parents of young children who need to nap or just those who have south- or west-facing windows that make rooms overly warm, darkening the room is necessary at certain times of the day. The easiest and most effective way to do so is to purchase blackout curtains. Depending on the brand and quality of the curtains, some of them may block out sunlight entirely while providing additional benefits. While preventing sunlight from entering a room, blackout curtains, which are thicker than traditional curtains, may also be effective at insulating rooms against drafty windows and providing noise reduction.
April 19, 2013 • THE RYE SOUND SHORE REVIEW • 11
Does time of year
affect roofing jobs?
here comes a time in many homeowners' lives when they're faced with the reality that a roof replacement is necessary. A roof can last between 15 and 30 years, and a person who owns an older home may find the lease has expired on the current roof. Is there a particular time of year that is better for having a roof installed? It depends on different factors, including the availability of a roofing contractor. According to the site, The Average Cost of Things, courtesy of the Home Buying Institute, across the country one can expect to spend $18,000 on average to replace a roof with asphalt shingles. Use of other materials, like tile or metal will cost more than this. In general, those living in big cities tend to pay more than those in rural areas. Because a roof replacement is expensive, it is something that some homeowners prefer to put off until it is absolutely necessary. Others are interested in finding the best rate around and hiring reliable roofers for the job. It's important to note that there really is no season where roof replacements are off-limits. Most roofers can do the job effectively unless the temperature is below freezing or if there is significant rain in the forecast. In fact, planning a
roofing job for the middle of the winter actually may work to a homeowner's advantage. This is typically a slow time of year for some roofers, and they may be anxious to get work this time of year and be willing to negotiate on price. There's also a good chance that the roofer will not be bogged down with other jobs, enabling the company to start on a home right away. Some roofers prefer working in the colder weather to sizzling up on a roof under the hot sun at another time of year. Naturally the spring is a prime time of year for roofing projects. After the rainy season, the weather is generally comfortable and homeowners are thinking about the projects they will commence. A busy time of year for home improvement all around, homeowners may find that they have to compete with others for a good date to have a roof installed. They also may be paying top dollar for the work and materials that are in high demand. Another thing to consider during the busy season is that a project may be rushed along in order to move on to the next job or one being worked on concurrently. This may lead to corners being cut or less attention to detail. A person may be limited in their
choices of roof installation during the summer. Extreme temperatures can make working on the roof hazardous and uncomfortable for workers. For those who live in a climate where the temperatures generally cause the mercury to soar, choose a cooler time of year. Many homeowners opt to thave a roof replacement in the autumn. The crisp weather and the decline in homerenovation projects overall can make this a prime time to contract with a quality roofer. If the roof is very much damaged, replacing it before the harsh, winter weather sets in can be advantageous. Some homeowners find they can get a discount on a roof installation if they bundle different renovations together. A contractor may offer a special on siding and roofing together. For those who have the funds, this may be the opportunity to get two jobs done at once. A roofing project is no small undertaking, and homeowners are wise to get several referrals and investigate a variety of companies before settling on one. Review sites, such as Angie's List, or simply word-of-mouth appraisals from friends and family members can help make choosing a roofer an easier decision.
12 • THE RYE SOUND SHORE REVIEW • April 19, 2013
The dos and don'ts of basement finishing
emodeling a basement is a popular home improvement project. A finished basement makes the space more functional and, when done correctly, can add a considerable amount of living space to a home. Finishing a basement pays dividends in additional space in a home that doesn't require the same level of investment as putting an addition on the house. Also, the groundwork for a finished room is already there, as most basements are already set up with a poured concrete floor and some walls, usually cinder blocks. Some electrical components, plumbing and the creature comforts of drywall and a more inviting floor might be all that's necessary to finish a basement. The process can be labor-intensive, and many people prefer to leave it to a professional contractor. Whatever finishing method is chosen, homeowners should follow the proper procedures when doing the work. DO start with a detailed plan. Measure out the basement and mark any items that cannot be moved, such as a furnace, water heater or pipes. Create a design board that showcases the materials you plan to use on the project. Think about ways you plan to arrange furniture and consider all of the possible uses for the room. Will it be a home theater? Will someone be sleeping down there? Each scenario will require certain amenities and safety requirements. DON'T plan to finish the entire basement. Doing so will leave you without a storage or utility area where you house holiday decorations, tools, luggage and similar items. DO get the scoop on building codes. Knowing what the municipality allows in basement remodeling will help you to customize a plan that is functional, safe and legal. No one wants to be slapped with fines for failing to follow the rules. Plus, failure to meet building codes could mean the work that has been done must be torn out and redone. It pays to follow the chain of command and secure permits while having all work inspected. DON'T overlook adequate lighting in your refinishing plan. A basement is likely one area of the house that has limited natural light pouring in. With traditionally small windows, or no windows at all, a basement needs ample lighting in its design scheme. This may include a combination of overhead and task lighting. Ample lighting will help the room feel like part of the house and not just a forgotten storage area. DO take into consideration moisture issues in the basement. Many basements are plagued by moisture issues ranging from water seepage
to condensation forming on walls. These situations may vary depending on the weather throughout the year. Certain materials may need to be used to mitigate water issues before finishing can take place. The installation of water-barrier systems, drainage, sump pumps, or encapsulation products could drive up the cost of a basement renovation. It is essential to have a professional assess the basement water issues prior to starting any finishing work. DON'T simply cover up potential hazards, such as mold or mildew. Have them treated instead. Otherwise, you could have a breeding ground behind drywall that could lead to unsafe conditions in the home. DO have a radon test. Radon is a hidden killer that can cause lung cancer. Because it occurs naturally in the soil and water surrounding a home and is impossible to detect without a specialized test, many people are unaware of the presence of radon until it is too late. Radon may be more concentrated in the basement, where the foundation is touching the soil. Therefore, rule out radon before considering renovation of a basement area. DON'T limit furniture choices to one type. You may need to be flexible in your furniture choices, even selecting modular pieces, like sectionals, because entryways to basements may have small doorways or obstructions that make adding furniture more challenging. DO keep the possibility of flooding in the back of your head. Homes that are near waterways or at low elevation may be at risk of flooding. Basements are especially susceptible to flood damage. Therefore, think about the practicality of finishing a basement if you are prone to flooding. If you decide to move ahead, take certain precautionary measures, such as keeping electrical wiring up higher and using a more water-resistant flooring material, like tile or vinyl. House important electronics and items on shelves so they are not at ground-level. Finishing a basement is a job that can add a lot of usable space to a home. Go about the project in the right way to keep within budget and have a room that is safe and functional.
April 19, 2013 • THE RYE SOUND SHORE REVIEW • 13 MEHLER continued from page 1
grade teacher at Osborn School. Mehler said he plans to sit down with screening committees of both local parties in the coming weeks, in the hopes of garnering a nomination. Until that time, the candidate wouldn't provide any additional comments on his potential run. This is not the first time Mehler has sought elected office in Rye. He vied for an appointment to the City Council last year when Republican Councilwoman Suzanna Keith relocated to Houston, Tx, which left an open seat on the seven-member council. However, Mehler and Charmian Neary, a Democrat, were passed over when the majority of the City Council voted in favor of Julie Killian, a Republican, to take the seat. Last November, Killian won a special election, running uncontested, to fill out the remainder of Keith's unexpired term. Killian also plans to run again this year with her term set to expire at the end of the year. Four seats on the City Council are set to expire. Mayor Douglas French, a Republican, announced last week that he would not seek a second term in office. Councilman Peter Jovanovich, a Republican, is said to be mulling a mayoral run while Republican Councilman Richard Filippi is not expected to seek re-election. Members of the City Council are elected to server four-year terms without any compensation.
14 • THE RYE SOUND SHORE REVIEW • April 19, 2013 JOVANOVICH continued from page 1
lective wounds and come together may be a tough task. Since Mayor Douglas French, a Republican, took office in 2010, his administration has been at odds with Republican Party leadership. French ran on the 2009 GOP ticket with Jovanovich and the two took office in 2010. The two, along with former Councilwoman Suzanna Keith and Councilman Richard Filippi, ran on a change platform that spoke of improving the tone and tenure of City Council meetings and increasing government transparency. French, who later appointed Jovanovich deputy mayor in 2011, has already announced that he will not seek a second term in office. Councilman Joe Sack, a Republican, has stated that he plans to run mayor. However, Sack has been immersed in an ongoing feud with both French and Jovanovich since 2010. Jovanovich, who has spent over 20 years in Rye, planned to meet with the party's screening committee, but, apparently, the two sides have been unable to confirm a date to do so, according to sources. The issues facing a Jovanovich mayoral candidacy is a possible lack support within his own party. Sources say that Sack has far more support amongst district leaders, who determine the nominees for the mayor's and City Council seats.
Council meetings. Over the past several months, as the city has endured increasing criticism for its handling of a Rye Golf Club management scandal and a Rye TV controversy in which senior city officials were accused of concealing a videotape, Jovanovich has become increasingly outspoken in defense of the city administration and in particular City Manager Scott Pickup, an ongoing target of scrutiny for his roles in both sagas. Jovanovich first sought elected office in 2005 as a Republican, but was defeated. That year saw a faction of the GOP break off and form its own coalition known as the Citizens First Party, which ran a mayoral candidate, Franklin Chu, that year. However, Chu and his Citizens First slate, as well as the Republicans, were soundly defeated by Democrats. Jovanovich is a former textbook Councilman Peter Jovanovich would surprise many in the community if he made a mayoral run considering the apparent lack of support he has within the city's Republican Party, according to several sources. publisher and currently heads a nonprofit, the Alfred Harcourt Foundation, that provides college The councilman was long thought to be scholarship money to disadvantaged students. That would likely leave Jovanovich to primary—where registered Republicans would uninterested in running for another term due Jovanovich's wife, Robin, publishes The vote to determine the party's mayoral candidate to ongoing health concerns. During a period Rye Record newspaper, to which he somein the general election—as his only recourse to from October 2012 through the end of last times contributes. appear on the GOP line in November. year, Jovanovich missed six out of 11 City
April 19, 2013 • THE RYE SOUND SHORE REVIEW • 15 PARKING continued from page 1
The issue of additional parking first surfaced last year at the 133-unit condominium when 34 tenant spaces were lost after the United Methodist Church on nearby Boston Post Road was sold to a new owner and could no longer guarantee parking after June 2013. In January, the five-member Blind Brook Board sent out a parking poll to all shareholders that illuminated some of the board's sales concerns sparked by this new arrangement. "Apartment sales have been falling through because buyers cannot be promised a space," the board wrote in a letter included with the poll, in which 90 percent voted "yes" when asked if they would support parking at 75 Milton Road. After a series of work sessions with the Planning Commission, Blind Brook's board is now pushing the Zoning Board of Appeals to grant them a special exemption variance to add the spaces on the non-conforming lot, as well as a variance to increase the intensity of use to greater than 30 percent. "The board believes if we do not move forward with this plan, we face potential chaos," the board stated in their January letter to tenants. A Feb. 8 email circulated by the board alleges that shareholders will no longer be able to count on parking at the Methodist church, and most likely will not be able to use the 12 spots at the Rye Arts Center across the street once its lease is up in two years. According to the email, the current wait list would not be able to ensure parking for those on the list within a reasonable amount of time before winter, when on-street parking is prohibited in the city. However, some concerned shareholders have said that new tenants do not usually remain on the waiting list for longer than six months. In addition, city officials have since stated that the arts center lease is likely to be renewed. The message, sent from the board's email address to all shareholders, is a forwarded copy of a letter by two shareholders who support the project. Stephen Rigopoulos said he and George Worthington met with board members and the project engineer in order to compile an objective report of facts for their neighbors, since numerous emails with conflicting claims were going around. Marilyn Balamaci, a concerned shareholder, said the condo board has been resistant to any form of questioning on the plan and has not directly communicated with the shareholders from the start. Balamaci also said that costs for the project as reported by the board have varied. Projected at $750,000 to $1 million to start, the cost was later reduced to a price tag of $300,000, Balamaci said. The Feb. 8 email circulated by the board stated that, once a permit is secured from the Planning Board, the condo board will obtain at least three bids for review. Most of all, concerned tenants like Balamaci have argued creating more than the necessary amount of parking spaces would force an unnecessary loss of green space, impact the resi-
dential character of the apartments, pose potential safety threats for pedestrians crossing the street to the main building, and lower property values on the rustic street, which features three churches. "The reason this has been dragging out for quite a while is we've made some very strong arguments on how this would harm the City of Rye," said Balamaci, who co-wrote a compromise plan with fellow shareholder Heather Sweeny that they circulated to all shareholders on March 12, two days before the latest zoning board meeting. The compromise entails adding 40 to 44 new spaces instead of 59 in a configuration that preserves some of the victory gardens and one of the property's two tennis courts as well as contiguous flat green space. "We're fighting for feet and inches that we pay for with rent, fees and maintenance costs," said Sweeny. The real issue, she added, has never been the paving project itself, since the sale of the church obviously necessitates more spots, but instead its proposed scope. "It is universally agreed that parkThis is the current 38-space parking lot at 75 Milton Road, across the street from the main building at ing is important to our resale oppor- 66 Milton Road, to which the Blind Brook board plans to add, paving over gardens and green space and tunities, but so are all the amenities creating a lot with 97 spaces in all. Photo/Liz Button that make this a special and unique property and home," the March 12 compromise letter states. These amenities have special meaning to shareholder Claire Alford-Socarides. "[The gardens] are one of the reasons why I moved back to Blind Brook Lodge from New York City," she said. "It makes your apartment not just an apartment, but a home. You have a backyard." The case to build the new parking lot first came to the Planning Commission's attention last year. According to its by-laws, the condo board is authorized to take action on these kinds of planning decisions unilaterally without consulting the rest of the shareholders. Those tenants opposing the paving project represent only 8 percent of the 118-person condo, according to BBL board chair Donna Hogben, who refused comment when reached by phone. To Alford-Socarides, the board's proposed lot would look like a huge commercial space with a projected 97 spaces in all. "It would be a mega parking lot that would be an eyesore and would destroy the residential quality of Milton Road," she said. After a contentious Zoning Board meeting on March 14, the Blind Brook Lodge Board was tasked with conducting a safety/traffic study, contacting the new proprietors of the Methodist church to see whether spaces can still be leased there in the future, and looking into an alternative site on the North Lawn, a large grassy area on the west side of Milton Road. The BBL board will report back on their findings at the April 18 ZBA meeting. Phone calls to the lawyer representing the Blind Brook Lodge board and Alan Weil, ZBA chair, were not returned as of press time.
16 • THE RYE SOUND SHORE REVIEW • April 19, 2013
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BUDGET continued from page 3
Dignity For All Students Act on bullying. Several other factors that stretch the school district's budget to a painful degree include the rising costs of healthcare and pensions mandated by the state, as well as salary increases. Despite these hardships, Slack said the district has achieved much with this budget and has managed to maintain some of the attributes that make Rye one of the most competitive school districts in the state and nationally. The district has succeeded, Slack said, in maintaining "the priorities of the board and the community— class size and teams in the middle school and course selection in the high school." On April 2, Alvarez said that the district's fund balance received a boost in state aid of $105,000 as well as savings realized through attrition after six teachers accepted retirement incentives. The good news prompted the superintendent to recommend adding administrative personnel at the middle school and restoring two special education positions to the budget. On Tuesday, Board of Education candidate Robert Zahm, who resigned from the board in 2010 over differing views on the budget, had some biting criticism for the board. Zahm questioned the administration's decision to use $1 million of its $2.3 million in reserves toward facilities projects. He also said that he had to reach out to the board just to get a copy of the latest line item budget. "The dearth of information available to the public and the obvious open questions make me doubt that you have had the level of information required with sufficient time to make a formal decision tonight," said Zahm about the board's decision to adopt the budget. Board of Education member Kendall Egan said that it was "insulting" to suggest that the board had not conducted their due diligence since beginning the budget process back in February. The board received the final line item budget a week ago, she said. Slack said, "While this is a very painful process for the administration and the board and the employees of the school district, the children will return next year and have their program intact." Residents of the school district will vote on the budget on May 21.
April 19, 2013 • THE RYE SOUND SHORE REVIEW • 17
City Council, anyone? A RYE OLDTIMER Judge John Carey
I have been hearing that candidates to run this year for seats on the Rye City Council are not numerous. The reason usually mentioned is that council meetings sometimes get unpleasant, and people don't like that. But I seem to remember that President Harry S. Truman once said, "If you can't stand the heat, don't
go in the kitchen." The council seats to be contested this year are those now occupied by Mayor French, Peter Jovanovich, Richard Filippi and Julie Killian. Each of them, or their successors, will receive a four-year term as one of our local lawmakers. The other incumbents, whose terms do not expire this year, are Laura Brett, Catherine Parker and Joseph Sack. If you value your spare time, being on the council costs you dearly. You have to sit still for hours on end, listening to speeches that you many not find worth hearing, or that you strongly disagree with. And you should be polite, even with people whose behavior you find obnoxious. I know; I was a member of the council for fourteen years, including eight years as mayor. If we don't like being disagreed with, we should not be involved in government, where the struggle among competing ideas goes on without ceasing. If we can't stand conflict among competing theories, public life is not for us. If we want everything to be governed by clear-cut rules, we should look for hierarchical organizations where direction comes from above. Since the give-and-take of public life is not everybody's cup of tea, how can service on the City Council be made attractive enough to lure more office-seekers? One way might be money, in the form of a salary for members. After all, communities around us pay their elected officials thousands of dollars, so why not Rye? It might just bring out more qualified contenders. But City Council salaries as enticements or rewards have already been explored and rejected. Years ago, a high-level panel was appointed to study the possibility of paying our elected lawmakers. Some of those on the panel had served on the council themselves, so this was no exercise in abstract theory. No one then on the council was on the panel, whose objectivity was undisputed. After due deliberation, the panel issued its recommendation: Rye does not need to pay its elected officials; there are enough well-qualified citizens willing to make the sacrifice of running and serving without being rewarded monetarily. We shall soon see whether that idea holds true in the year 2013. However, there is a wrinkle that should be carefully considered: if a member of the council serves without pay for a number of years and later goes on the state payroll in some capacity, her/his state pension will suffer for the years served without pay. Upon retirement, such a person may find that full vesting of the expected pension has not taken place because of the lack of compensation during the years on the Rye City Council. Accumulation of years towards full vesting of a state pension occurs only during paid public service. I have often wondered whether a dollar a year received during my fourteen years on the City Council would have added to the years I spent as a paid judge, so as to let me reach full vesting of my state pension. I'll never know. It is not often that a former City Council member becomes a state employee so that this question becomes pertinent. But it could happen again, so the council might well consider whether to pay themselves a dollar a year. It would be little enough to compensate for the sacrifices they make. Reach John Carey at firstname.lastname@example.com
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Notice of Public Hearing, Annual Budget Vote & Election of Board of Education Members of the Rye City School District Notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing on the Rye City School District 2013-2014 proposed budget will be held Tuesday, May 7, 2013 in the Rye Middle School Multipurpose Room, located at the corner of the Boston Post Road and Parsons Street, Rye, NY beginning at 8:00 p.m. Further notice is hereby given that the Annual Budget Vote and Election of the Rye City School District will be held on May 21, 2013, and that the polls of such election will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. to vote by voting machine upon the following items: 1. To adopt the annual budget for the fiscal year 2013-2014 and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the district. 2. To elect two members of the Board of Education, for three-year terms commencing July 1, 2013. Further notice is hereby given that a copy of the detailed statement in writing of the amount of money which will be required for the school year 2013-2014 for school purposes, exclusive of public moneys, specifying the several purposes and the amount of each, and specifying separately the total amount estimated necessary for payment to the Board of Cooperative Educational Services, Second Supervisory District of Westchester County, as provided by Section 1716 of the Education Law, as well as the Real Property Tax Exemption Report in accordance with Section 495 of the Real Property Tax Law will be posted on the District's web site and also may be obtained by any resident in the District during business hours beginning May 7, 2013 at the administrative office and all school buildings within the district. Further notice is hereby given that petitions nominating candidates for the office of member of the Board of Education shall be filed with the District Clerk, at 411 Theodore Fremd Avenue, Suite 100S, Rye, New York no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 1, 2013. Each candidate shall submit petitions signed by at least 100 qualified voters of the District and shall state the name and residence of the candidate. Further notice is hereby given that the Board of Registration will meet for the purpose of registering voters on May 7, 2013 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Central Administration Office, 411 Theodore Fremd Avenue, Suite 100S, Rye New York. Qualified voters who are not registered with the Westchester County Board of Elections may register at that time. Any persons known or proven to the satisfaction of the Board of Registration to be entitled to vote shall be entitled to have their names placed upon such register, provided they have proven to the satisfaction of said Board of Registration to be entitled to vote at such election. The register will be filed in the District Clerk's office and open for inspection to any qualified voter of the District school days beginning on May 8, 2013 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. A qualified voter is one who is (1) a citizen of the United States of America; (2) 18 years of age or older; and (3) a resident of the District for 30 days preceding the annual vote and election. A qualified voter must become a registered voter in order to vote. If a voter has registered and has voted at a Board of Education election within the last four calendar years, he/she is eligible to vote at this election. If a voter is registered and able to vote at general elections, he/she is also eligible to vote at this election. All other persons who wish to vote must register. Further notice is hereby given that applications for absentee ballots may be obtained between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. any working day, at the office of the District Clerk, or by calling that office (967-6100, ext. 6278), or by printing an application from the District's web site, www.ryeschools.org, District, Election and Budget Information. Completed applications must be received by the District Clerk at least seven days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed, or the day before the election, if the ballot is to be delivered personally. Absentee ballots must be received by the District Clerk not later than 5 p.m. on the date of the election. A list of persons to whom absentee ballots are issued will be available for inspection in the office of the district clerk during business hours. Any qualified voter present in the polling place may object to the voting of the ballot upon appropriate grounds by making his/her challenge and the reasons therefor known to the inspector of election before the close of the polls. Further notice is hereby given that any referenda or propositions to amend the budget or otherwise to be submitted for voting on May 21, 2013 must have been filed with the Board of Education, 411 Theodore Fremd Avenue, on or before April 22, 2013, must have been typed or printed in the English language, must have been directed to the Clerk of the School District, must have been signed by at least five (5) percent of the number who voted at the previous election; and must state the name and residence of each signer. The Board of Education will not entertain any petition to place before the voters any proposition the purpose of which is not within the powers of the voters to determine, or any proposition which fails to include a specific appropriation where the expenditure of monies is required by the proposition. Elaine Cuglietto District Clerk City School District of Rye, New York 411 Theodore Fremd Avenue, 100S Rye, New York 10580 Publication Dates April 1, 2013 April 15, 2013 April 29, 2013 and May 13, 2013
Notice of registration for annual budget vote and election of board of education members City School District of the City of Rye, Westchester County, New York PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Education of the City School District of the City of Rye, Westchester County, New York, has fixed Tuesday, May 7, 2013 as the date on which the Board of Registration of said School District will meet at the Board of Education Offices, 411 Theodore Fremd Avenue, Suite 100S, Rye, New York, in said School District, for the purpose of preparing a register for the Special City School District election to be held on May 21, 2013. Said Board of Registration will meet for such purpose on said date between the hours of 4:00 o'clock P.M. and 8:00 o'clock P.M., Prevailing Time. At such hours and place, any person who has not currently registered under permanent personal registration by Tuesday, May 7, 2013 the last date found on the lists of registered voters furnished by the Westchester County Board of Elections, and has not voted at any intervening Rye City School District elections, must, in order to be entitled to vote at said election, to be held on May 21, 2013, present himself or herself personally for registration. NOTICE IS HEREBY FURTHER GIVEN that no person shall be entitled to vote whose name does not appear upon the register of the special election district in which he/she claims to be entitled to vote. Dated: Rye, New York March 21, 2013 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE CITY OF RYE, WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NEW YORK. Elaine Cuglietto School District Clerk
18 • THE RYE SOUND SHORE REVIEW • April 19, 2013
SPORTS Bronxville lacrosse picks up first loss Not all momentous games are good. The Broncos, who came into their April 13 showdown with a powerhouse Yorktown as the most explosive team in the section, saw their flight halted– at least temporarily–by a top team from Class A. The Huskers beat up on the Broncos, winning 15-3. But for Bronxville, the loss might be a blessing in disguise. It will be a taste of what the Broncos can expect in the post season and highlights some areas in which they need to improve, namely winning faceoffs. Bronxville was out-muscled in that department by a 16-3 margin.
Important games Tigers win Broncos baseball tournament Whenever Bronxville and Tuckahoe meet, in just about any sport, there's bound to be a healthy dose of intensity between the two schools. Although the Tigers and the Broncos didn't meet this weekend, Tuckahoe still managed to one-up their rivals to claim the Bronco Tourney crown. Tuckahoe won back-to-back games over Hastings and Edgemont on April 13, thanks to good pitching performances by Brian O'Toole and Nick Reisman. Mamaroneck beats Fox Lane in a bounce-back game On April 7, the Tigers lost to AA power Kennedy in a fairly one-sided game. The Tigers, however, responded in a big way a few days later, beating the Foxes on April 11 in a 5-4 thriller. Fox Lane is considered by many to be one of the best-hitting teams in the Section, but the Foxes' bats were held at bay by a terrifc performance by Will Hofmann, who threw 124 pitches on the afternoon. Harrison softball beats Port Chester On April 11, the Huskies lost a heartbreaker to a good Fox Lane team, piecing together a comeback that ultimately fell just short as the Foxes walked off with a win in the bottom of the seventh inning. But despite the Huskies' youth, it wouldn't be a loss that would send Harrison into a tailspin. On April 15, the Huskies bounced right back with an impressive 10-1 win over Port Chester.
A Mamaroneck runner dives back to the bag against Kennedy on April 7. The Tigers have been on a tear since the team's April 7 loss. Photo/Bobby Begun
April 19, 2013 • THE RYE SOUND SHORE REVIEW • 19
Rye Little League kicks off 2013 season On April 13, hundreds of local children turned out to kick off the 2013 Little League season in style, marching in the annual parade, which this year marked the 57th anniversary of the opening day festivities. The players, accompanied by fire trucks, marching bands and pipers, departed at noon from Station Plaza and made their way through town to Grainger Field for the Opening Day ceremonies. League president Myles Lavelle emceed the event, making sure to thank the volunteers who have helped the league – and the parade - run smoothly through the years, as well as the Rye PBA, who donated a new scoreboard to the facility. Lavelle, who played Little League and marched in the parade as a youngster, said that the ongoing success of the Rye Little League is a testament to the strength of the tradition, as well as the mindset of the Rye townsfolk. "I think it's great, it brings out that small town feeling," said the RLL President. "I'm always amazed at how many people come out for the parade, simply because in this day and age, kids have access to all sorts of sports and travel teams. "This is a community league," he added. "The focus isn't just on winning, but being part of the program." -Reporting by MIKE SMITH
The Hornets, a Rye Little League softball squad, make their way to Grainger Field on April 13. A pack of Sea Dogs make the trip to Grainger Field.
A trio of Diamondbacks get a lift during the parade route.
Rye Little League President Myles Lavelle addresses the crowd at Grainger Field during the Opening Day ceremony.
Two players from the Cubs express their enthusiasm during the parade.
Rye City Court Judge Joseph Latwin throws out the ceremonial first pitch. Photos/Mike Smith
20 • THE RYE SOUND SHORE REVIEW • April 19, 2013
Rye drops slugfest to Ossining By MIKE SMITH ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR firstname.lastname@example.com
On April 15, Rye hosted Ossining in what would be a wild, high-scoring affair that saw nearly 30 runs cross the plate. At the end of the day, however, Ossining would emerge victorious, beating the Garnets 18-11 in the slugfest. Despite the loss, Garnet coach Alex Tejera was quite happy with the way his offense performed against the Indians. While the Indians were led by Ryan Scarduzio, who went 4-for-4 with a homerun and 5 RBIs, the Garnets had no shortage of offensive stars. Leadoff hitter Keira Nemsick picked up four hits on the day, driving in two runs and she also stole three bases. Emily Antonozzi and Nicole Alimena both launched two-run homers to propel the Garnet lineup. According to Tejera, this trio will be called upon to lead Rye at the plate all year. Alimena, a senior captain, has been on
Emily Antonozzi makes a throw from third base on April 15. Antonozzi also belted a homer on the day.
Molly Herbold delivers a pitch against Ossining on April 15. Just a freshman, Herbold will be part of a Garnet pitching tandem with senior Laura Thornton-Smith.
the varsity for the past four years, while Nemsick and Antonozzi, both sophomores, are looking to improve upon their already impressive varsity debuts in 2012. "So far, what I've seen is that both girls have that varsity experience," said Tejera. "They know how to handle different situations, they know how to be more comfortable. Keira, in particular, has started playing for a travel team and that's really helped her as well." Alimena and Antonozzi will also play key roles in solidifying the Garnets defense, with Alimena patrol-
ling center field and Antonozzi manning the hot corner. Moving forward, though, Tejera knows that the team will only go as far as it's pitching. To that end, the Garnets will be relying on youngster Molly Herbold and senior Laura Thornton-Smith to handle most of the pitching duties. Herbold, a freshman, got the start against Ossining, but despite the setback, has shown a lot of promise thus far. "Molly just needs to get that experience," said Tejera. "But we'll be using both her and Laura to start our games." Thornton-Smith came up to the varsity level towards the end of her sophomore campaign and has since seen time as both a starter and reliever. Tejera said that his senior hurler is ready to take on the role of being the team's go-to arm. "She's the ace," said the head coach. At 2-3 on the young season, the Garnets will look to get back to .500 on April 17 when they travel to Harrison to take on the rival Huskies (after press time). They return home on April 19, when they will host Horace Greeley.
Nicole Alimena blasts a two-run homer on April 15 against Ossining. Alemina, a senior, will be called upon to lead the Garnets this year. Photos/Bobby Begun


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Vanceboro police have made two arrests after discovering $15,000 worth of drugs in a drug bust.
56-year-old Noah Campbell faces several charges after deputies say that found cocaine, marijuana and prescription pain pills at his Clark Rd. home. Campbell's bond was set at $2.5 million, according to the New Bern Sun Journal.
Also facing charges is 19-year-old Christopher Griekspoor. He is charged with drug possession. Officials say Griekspoor was at Campbell's home when the drug bust happened.