Westchester Herald

In Memoriam: John Joseph Gavin

  It is with great sadness that the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson announces the passing of John "Jack" Gavin. Jack served as Village Trustee from 1966-1968 and 1976-1980.  Most recently he served as chairperson of the Senior Citizen Advisory Committee as well as a member of the Advisory Committee for the Disabled. He was a tireless champion of senior, veteran and disabled issues.

Ed Koch Commentary: Canada Appears More Protective of Its Children Than Is the U.S. BY Edward I. Koch

Protecting Our Children; Housing Mortgage Foreclosures; Deportation of Illegal Immigrants; and the Unincarcerated Wealthy Criminals

According to The New York Times of October 14th,  Canada “has declared bisphenol A [BPA], a chemical widely used to create clear, hard plastics, as well as food can liners, to be a toxic substance.”  This followed Canada’s ban of BPA two years ago “in polycarbonate  bottles used by infants and children.”  The compound can still be used in a host of products in Canada, but “the move would make it easier to ban the use of BPA in specific products through regulations.”  The decision was “condemned by the American Chemical Council.”

On the Level with Narog and Aris

New Rochelle, NY --  New York State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins is Richard Narog’s and Hezi Aris’ guest this Tuesday, October 19th, from 10 am through 11 am, on WVOX-1460 AM on your radio dial and worldwide on www.WVOX.com.

Bronxville Police Department Alert BY Chief Christopher Satriale

Bronxville, NY, October 18, 2010 -- We are attempting to identify the owner of a dog that bit a child on Meadow Avenue near the Bronxville School on September 30 at about 3:00pm. Without properly identifying the owner and dog the eight year old child will have to be given the rabies vaccine. The dog is described as a small black Pit Bull type being walked by a woman of Asian descent. If you can provide information,  please contact the Police Department at 914-337-0500.

Singles in Sync

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Letters to the Editor: Social Security COLAS - Pepsi or Coke Only BY Ed Krauss

2010 not only brought no COLA increases to seniors' monthly social security checks, it also brought with it a decrease. I was told the decrease was for higher Medicare deductibles. 

I wonder if 2011 will follow the downward spiral of 2010. 

Death, Injury, and Trauma Visit Thornwood BY Hezi Aris

Mount Pleasant, NY, October 17, 2010 -- Danroy Henry, a junior at Pace University’s Westchester County campus was pronounced dead upon arrival at Westchester Medical Center. Mr Henry was allegedly shot by a Pleasantville Police Officer. The passenger accompanying Mr Henry was treated for a "minor gunshot wound" Two Police Officers were also shot and are being treated for their injuries and two others are treated for trauma. The culmination of the death and injury are the result of  a disturbance at Finnegan's Grill, on 1006 Broadway, at around 1:20 a.m. today.

According to a Mount Pleasant Police department press release, "A large group of unruly patrons" had formed at the front of the bar and in the parking lot.

Public Information Officer Cara Cea, issued a statement on behalf of the Westchester Campuses of Pace University said, “The Pace community is deeply saddened by the news that a Pace University student, Danroy Henry, was shot and killed by a Pleasantville Police officer during an incident outside a Thornwood bar early Sunday morning.. “We extend the deepest sympathies of our community to Mr. Henry’s family and friends. We are working with the police investigation and as appropriate will share more information when it becomes available.”

Newly Rehabilitated Apartments for Rent

EXCLUSIVE: Jury Exacts $8 Million Liability Against Phil Amicone in Freedom of the Press Lawsuit BY Hezi Aris

White Plains, NY, NY --  Sixteen plaintiffs shared in the  jury award shy 60 cents of $8 million in which the City of Yonkers was exonerated from any liability in the freedom of the press lawsuit. The firm of DelBello Donnellan Weingarten Wise & Wiederkehr,  LLP lost the suit in argument against Lovett & Bellantoni, LLP before the courtroom of the Hon. Cathy Seibel late afternoon on October 13, 2010. Judge Seibel was oftentimes solicited by counsel to maintain liability against the City of Yonkers but the Hon. Seibel denied the motion advising that Phil Amicone was personally liable for the actions he caused to take place. The argument taken against Richard Blassberg, et al, was meant to challenge the veracity of the written allegation within the pages of The Westchester Guardian in which it was written that “Sassy” performed a lap dance for  Mayor Phil Amicone. Mayor Amicone denied the occasion took place. The jury did not believe him.

Love and War in Western Art Class in Scarsdale

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Scarsdale, NY - Artist and art historian, Marcy B. Freedman will examine Love and War in Western Art at an offering by the Scarsdale Adult School Wednesday October 20th at the Scarsdale Public Library from 1:00 - 2:30 pm.

The Westchester Guardian - October 14, 2010 Edition

Click to read The Westchester Guardian - October 14, 2010 edition

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The Westchester Guardian may be read online and is available throughout Westchester County from 500 blue metal stands, at 300 additional outlets such as diners, doctor's offices, government office buildings and at train station throughout the Westchester County routes of the Metro North rail  system.

New York Civic Strawberry Fields Forever By Henry J. Stern

City Honored John Lennon Naming Strawberry Fields, Which Yoko Ono Rebuilt

First published on October 12, 2010

Saturday was the 70th anniversary of the birth of John Lennon, born and raised in Liverpool, England, but a New Yorker by choice for the last nine years of his life. His tragic death on December 8, 1980 in front of his home led to outpourings of sorrow from around the world.  Mayor Koch led a memorial gathering at the Bandshell in Central Park on Sunday, December 14 attended by an estimated 100,000 people, to honor his memory. Recordings of Beatles' music were played for the crowd, but no speeches were made.

Ed Koch Commentary Curiouser and Curiouser By Edward I. Koch

The  Islamic terrorist,  Faisal Shahzad, who unsuccessfully sought on May 1, 2010 to blow up a car in Times Square was sentenced to life in prison without parole by a federal district court on October 5, 2010.  He pled guilty so there was no trial.  At sentencing, he said to the  Federal District Court Judge,  Miriam Goldman Cedarbaum, according to The New York Times, “Brace yourselves, because the war with Muslims has just begun,” adding, “Consider me only a first droplet of the flood that will follow me.”

New York Civic: Drinking Sugar By Henry J. Stern

Free Soda on Food Stamps Challenged by Bloomberg, Bottlers Play Race Card.

The proposal by Mayor Bloomberg and  Governor Paterson that people receiving food stamps should no longer be able to use them to purchase sugared soft  drinks, particularly soda, has drawn the inevitable controversy that accompanies public health innovations that are intended to change eating or drinking habits.

Current Commentary: Calling For Common Sense On Cell Phone Taxes BY Larry M. Elkin, CPA, CFP®

We have more than 20  employees here at Palisades Hudson, each of whom has a telephone on his or her desk and a life outside the office. If someone makes a personal phone call to check on the kids or to find out what to bring home for dinner, I don’t care.

Neither does the Internal Revenue Service. Even though an employee may personally benefit from using that company-provided phone, any personal use of the landline is trivial. It costs the business next to nothing and is not worth the bother of trying to track and to tax. The IRS understands this, perhaps because IRS agents also have telephones.

Letter to the Editor: Public Hearing Notice of Charter Revision Commission BY Alan Smith

Sent: 10/11/2010 6:56:09 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time

Subj: Letter to  City Council  President Chuck Lesnick 

City Council President Chuck Lesnick

City Hall

Yonkers, New York 10701 

Dear Mr. Lesnick, 

I am totally shocked by the conclusions outlined by Mr. Schorr in his letter to the City Council regarding  public notice by the Charter Revision Commission. 

Public Notice for Charter Revision Commission Hearings BY Dan Schorr and Hezitorial BY Hezi Aris

Report published byYonkers  Inspector General Dan Schorr.

The Hezitorial  follows Inspector General Schorr’s summation.

This report is issued in response to a letter received September 23,2010 from a majority of the City Council that directed the Inspector General to "investigate and render a decision" regarding "whether the CRC [Charter Revision Commission] followed correct process for noticing some of their meetings and hearings and if not, whether the commission's charter amendment proposal is in fact valid and should appear on the upcoming ballot."

Desk of the District Attorney: October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month BY Janet DiFiore

When domestic violence is committed, it strikes at the very heart of families and relationships. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and as District Attorney and a former judge who has presided over domestic violence cases, I am committed to holding offenders who engage in criminal behavior accountable for their actions, and providing victims and their children the assistance they need. In addition, my office is engaged in public education initiatives aimed at preventing domestic violence before it disrupts the lives of its victims. 

“Shop. Local. Fall Fashion Show” Benefits Local Businesses

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Larchmont, NY -- The Junior League of Westchester on the Sound (JLWOS) hosted a Shop. Local. Fall Fashion Show on September 30th at the Larchmont Shore Club to benefit local businesses from the Sound Shore area.  

Killoran Engaged in Petition Drive to Increase Police Presence in Downtown New Rochelle BY Peggy Godfrey

To address the problems in downtown New Rochelle, especially after the recent murder there, Jim Killoran, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity, on WVOX-1460 AM, on September 29th announced a petition drive to bring police to the area.  He emphasized he was not criticizing the police. During the discussion that ensued, he explained when someone was hit by a vehicle in front of his store, he was told "to keep his mouth shut."  A question about who might have asked people to keep their mouths shut when a car hits someone in the street was posed.  Mitch Tarnopal who is on New Rochelle’s Traffic Calming Committee believes traffic issues can be dealt with in innovative ways.  Anthony Galletta, a former member of that committee advised that he did not believe the Traffic Calming Committee was capable of handling downtown traffic problems and concerns.  He later stated:  "The Traffic Calming Committee was initiated to address local traffic situations and to make recommendations to the City Council and the Board of Education.  I applaud their continued efforts, but as a past member, I believe the Traffic Calming Committee does not have the expertise to undertake the massive concerns of traffic and parking in the downtown.  Killoran said he would love to have a meeting with the Traffic Calming Committee, Rev.David Lyerly and the SoNo group.

Current Commentary: A Tax System That Promotes Prosperity BY Larry M. Elkin, CPA, CFP®

When you don’t ask the right questions, your chances of reaching the right answers are not very good. That is why this year’s showdown over tax rates is going to leave businesses burdened with counterproductive taxes, no matter who wins in November.

The only thing we are really debating is how heavy that counterproductive burden will be. This is unfortunate. A more intelligently designed tax system could help build the more productive, forward-looking economy that both parties, and most voters, say they want.

Native American Storytelling, Crafts, Cider Pressing and More at the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum Harvest Festival

The Bronx, NY -- On Saturday, October 23, Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum will hold its fourth annual Harvest Festival from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This fun and festive event offers a variety of different activities for the whole family.

Hastings School Board Seeks Community Input for Search for New Superintendent

Hastings-on-Hudson, NY -- The members of the Hastings-on-Hudson School Board are beginning the search for a new Superintendent and we would like your input.  We have developed a brief questionnaire to elicit opinions on the characteristics and skills to look for in a superintendent and areas of concern or questions you would like candidates to address during the interview process.  We anticipate posting the job opening by the end of the month, and would appreciate receiving your responses by October 21st.  You may complete the questionnaire online using this link to the District’s website at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LF68CNX.  Hard copies are also available at each of the school’s central offices, the library, and community center.  To receive a copy by mail, please call 478-3099.  Please return completed paper surveys to the District Clerk at 27 Farragut Avenue, either by dropping them off or mailing them. 

Inside the Melting Pot BY Phyllis C. Murray

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“When the nation is made ready by enlightenment, its good fortune will make Black History Month an anachronism. No culture should by its spotlight eclipse another, and the reputation of one cannot flourish at the expense of another. We are a unified but not yet united civilization.”   —Ron Issacs

In 1991, the phenomenon of unearthing 400 enslaved Africans from a 17th Century African Burial Ground in lower Manhattan, was the beginning of a search by many for their African ancestral past. That road of discovery has had many twists and turns. However, the records remain. The slavers and historians of that era kept copious notes. And fortunately we have had access to the incalculable research from the African Burial Ground Project OPEI Update founded in 1991 and directed for over a decade by Dr. Sherrill Wilson.

Breaking the Political Establishment BY Publicola

The primaries on September 14 were a win for non-establishment and tea party candidates.  The biggest shock came to the State Republicans with the win by Carl Paladino, the tea party backed candidate that got on the ballot by gathering 15,000 signatures.  He also gathered more than 30,000 signatures for the Taxpayer Line in the general election November 2.  His win, along with others in the district, is proof positive of not only the tea parties power in the state, but more importantly, that the power is returning to the people, where it belongs.