Yorktown News 07.16.20

Vol. 9 No. 16 Visit TapIntoYorktown.net for the latest news. Thursday, July 16, 2020

Archdiocese closes 20
NY Catholic schools

BY KATHERINE BORCHERT sad news. Given the devastation of this

STAFF WRITER pandemic, I’m grateful more schools

didn’t meet this fate, and that Catholic

Two local Catholic schools are schools nearby are ready to welcome all

closing as part of an overall shuttering the kids.”

of 20 schools, the Archdiocese of New e closures will impact approximately

York announced on ursday, July 9. 2,500 students and 350 sta members.

St. Patrick’s Parochial School in e closures will help strengthen the

Bedford and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton overall nancial stability and “strengthen

School in Shrub Oak will be closing the vitality of New York Catholic

due to the nancial impacts of the schools for decades to come,” according PHOTOS COURTESY OF PAULA MIRITELLO

COVID-19 pandemic. to a statement from the archdiocese. Bob DeSimone and the Empire City Garrison 501st Legion dressed as stormtroopers, an
annual tradition for the walk with My Brother Vinny Founder and Director Paula Miritello and
e decision, according to the “ e reality of these schools being Head of Community Affairs Kenny Beck outside of Yorktown Self Storage on Route 202.

archdiocese, stems from health concerns lost is painful and it was only accepted Thousands raised through
My Brother Vinny virtual walk
and nancial “devastation” for families reluctantly after a detailed study was

that resulted in low registration numbers conducted of their respective scal

for the fall. e organization also said standing in the wake of the coronavirus

that months of canceled public Masses, public health crisis,” said Michael J.

which help raise scal donations for Deegan, superintendent of Catholic

schools and scholarships, left the schools in the Archdiocese of New

archdiocese without the ability to York. “I have been a Catholic school

support some of its schools. educator for more than 40 years, BY KATHERINE BORCHERT the year and provides the funds to help

“Children are always the most and could never have imagined the STAFF WRITER distribute housewares, furniture, clothing

innocent victims of any crisis and this grave impact this pandemic has had and food to veterans. e organization

COVID-19 pandemic is no exception,” on our schools. If more assistance is My Brother Vinny, an organization ded- also helps animal shelters, outreach groups,

said Archbishop of New York Cardinal not forthcoming in the longed-for icated to providing assistance to veterans, housing shelters and individual families.

Timothy Dolan. “Too many have HEROES Act now before Congress, I held its rst virtual walk on Flag Day, Sun- “People that are vulnerable and they’re

lost parents and grandparents to this am afraid even more might close. is day, June 14. already struggling with mental health is-

insidious virus and now thousands is a very sad day for everyone in the Hundreds rallied around the organiza- sues and then to have the coronavirus on

will not see their beloved school again. extended Catholic school community. tion and raised a total of $51,077. top of everything, which is so scary. It’s so

I’ve kept a hopeful eye on our schools I send my love and prayers to the Founder and director Paula Miritello unknown to everybody how you’re going to

throughout this saga and my prayers families, teachers, principals and sta of said that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, survive. ere are already struggles to make

are with all of the children and their SEE CATHOLIC SCHOOL PAGE 6 she was worried about the walk since it SEE MBV PAGE 7
families who will be a ected by this is the organization’s biggest fundraiser of

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Page 2 – Yorktown News Thursday, July 16, 2020

The Staff Public hearing planned on solar zoning

EDITORIAL TEAM BY KATHERINE BORCHERT an opportunity to share their spoke out in opposition to the location for undeveloped land
JODI WEINBERGER STAFF WRITER
thoughts on a zoning code that proposal to allow large-scale solar that has already been cleared,
EDITOR: 914-302-5830
[email protected] would govern solar structures and facilities in residential zones and like former pasture land, but not

BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER A public hearing on the zoning facilities. banned in commercial zones. when the solar farm will result
SPORTS EDITOR: 914-302-5628
[email protected] of solar generation systems and e hearing had been ad- One of the most vehement op- in changing the character of a

ADVERTISING TEAM facilities is set to take place dur- journed due to a consensus ponents, Susan Siegel, a former neighborhood by clear-cutting
LISA KAIN
ing a virtual Town Board meet- among Town Board and Plan- town supervisor and member of large swaths of woodlands and
914-351-2424
[email protected] ing on Zoom on Tuesday, July 21. ning Board members that the Advocates for a Better Yorktown, replacing mature trees with acre

PAUL FORHAN e hearing, which is being draft of the law should be further called for a di erent approach to upon acre of solar panels,” Siegel
914-202-2392
[email protected] reconvened after its adjournment researched and reviewed. the solar law. wrote in a letter to the Yorktown
CORINNE STANTON
845-621-4049 on July 9, 2019, will give residents At last year’s hearing, many “A large solar farm is an ideal News. “ at’s why the Town
[email protected]
JENNIFER CONNELLY Board should consider allowing
917-446-7757
[email protected] solar facilities, as well as battery
BRUCE HELLER
914-202-2941 storage facilities, by rezoning
[email protected]
SHELLEY KILCOYNE parcels for special energy uses on

CO-FOUNDER a case-by-case basis instead of
914-924-9122
[email protected] the ‘OK on any parcel’ approach
GABRIELLE BILIK
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/DESIGNER that’s in the proposed law.”
[email protected]
A new draft of the law states
PRODUCTION TEAM
TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL that any large-scale solar facili-

CREATIVE DIRECTOR ties would have to go through
PHOTOGRAPHER
the Planning Board and require
[email protected]
CHRISTINA ROSE a special use permit. It states that

ASST PRODUCTION MANAGER while special use permits can be
DESIGNER
applied in all zoning districts,
[email protected]
large-scale solar energy systems
EXECUTIVE TEAM
BRETT FREEMAN are not permitted as main struc-
CEO & PUBLISHER
845-208-8151 tures on nonresidental lots.

[email protected] e draft of the law also re-

Deadlines quires a large-scale facility to be

YORKTOWN NEWS DEADLINE built on a lot no less than 2 acres,
THE DEADLINE FOR ADVERTISEMENTS
limited to a height of 15 feet and
AND EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS FOR
not exceed coverage of 80 per-
YORKTOWN NEWS IS THE THURSDAY
BEFORE THE NEXT PUBLICATION DATE. cent of the lot. Solar systems as

FOR MORE INFORMATION, an accessory use would have to
CALL JODI WEINBERGER AT
914-302-5830 OR EMAIL go through permit approval from
[email protected].
the Planning Board but a permit
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is not required to add solar panels
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SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE COMPLIMENTARY FOR Siegel also called into question
RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES IN THE TOWN.
OUT OF TOWN MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE why the Town Board did not do a
$150 PER YEAR FOR FIRST CLASS MAIL.
better job of advertising the pub-
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ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. According to Supervisor Matt
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SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO
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“ e changes aren’t even nal.

e changes will be discussed

at the hearing,” Rodriguez said.

“ is is a draft that the town put

up for discussion. e town may

Giordano Carting actually vote down these amend-
ments. at’s the whole point of
the public hearing process.”

Dumpster & Demolition Services To register for the public hear-
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914-800-9777 Quast at dquast@yorktownny.
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address when registering so the

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Thursday, July 16, 2020 Yorktown News – Page 3

Kendra Ekelund Kathleen Michel

Support Connection announces Walk Ambassadors

BY KATHERINE BORCHERT situation due to the rare form of cancer women who coped with similar chal- she didn’t pick up the phone to reach
STAFF WRITER and no treatments for it. lenges. out until the day before her surgery for
a bilateral mastectomy.
Support Connection has announced After being told by a friend about In 2014, Ekelund participated in her
its Walk Ambassadors for this year’s Support Connection, Ekelund was hes- rst walk with friends and says she is “My daughter called to check on
Support-A-Walk taking place Sunday, itant because she thought she would be proud to be a Walk Ambassador this me. I hadn’t slept, and she said to me,
October 4. taking it away from someone else who year. now’s the time to make that call,” Mi-
needed it more and was uncomfortable “ is year’s walk taking place every- chel said.
e two ambassadors, Kendra Eke- with asking for help. where presents a real opportunity to
lund and Kathleen Michel, are both highlight the work that Support Con- She was given the con dence and
cancer survivors. “I tried to kind of endure my period nection does on a national scale. We support for her surgery and contin-
of treatment and survivorship on my very much think of them as a commu- ued to rely on Marlene Stager, the
is year’s Support-A-Walk will own thinking that organizations like nity support organization, but I’ve re- woman who answered her call that
be organized virtually and take place Support Connection were for people ferred them to friends across the coun- day, throughout her treatment. Al-
across the country, with participants who had less help than I did. I had a try who have, I hope, taken advantage most eight years later, Michel still
invited to walk wherever they are. Typ- caregiving partner at home, I’ve got of their services,” Ekelund said. calls Stager on the anniversary of their
ically, the 3-mile walk takes place at friends and family, you know bringing Michel, who has been active with
FDR park in Yorktown. soup by every other day and I guess I Support Connection for seven years, rst conversation.
felt a little guilty about taking commu- went in for her annual mammogram In 2014, just a few weeks before at-
Every year the walk brings thou- nity resources that might be for some- in late 2012 and said she was not sur- tending her rst Support-A-Walk,
sands together and brings attention to one else that didn’t have as much help prised when she had to go for further Michel and Stager met in person in
the free support services for breast and as I did, but I did not realize that the testing afterwards, since she had al- what Michel calls “a memorable expe-
ovarian cancer patients provided by help that Support Connection provides ready done so before. However, she was rience.”
Support Connection. cannot be replaced by other people in told news that she would never want to “It meant so much to know that ev-
your life,” Ekelund said. “ e ability hear: She had breast cancer. eryone there was by my side. It was
In 2012, Ekelund, a Westchester res- to connect with people who have been “I couldn’t believe it. It was devastat- so emotional,” Michel said. “ ere’s
ident, was just 31 years old and in her where you are, that shared understand- ing,” Michel said. nothing I wouldn’t do for Support
second year of marriage when she was ing of what the cancer experience is Connection. It is a great organiza-
diagnosed with a rare form of uterine like and also having the opportunity e next few weeks she underwent tion that helps so many women and
cancer. to have a counselor who has been there tests, appointments and in the begin- families.”
and understands exactly what you’re ning of 2013 had two lumpectomies Michel has attended e Walk ev-
After a long battle with chronic pain, going through, this is really irreplace- two weeks apart. She thought the ery year since 2014 and has raised
undergoing multiple surgeries, hospi- able.” worst was over. money for the organization through
talizations and battling with complica- donations. is year, she said she’ll be
tions, she received her diagnosis. She She said that joining Support Con- However, her pathology reports walking around her community with
was then told that she would have to nection’s monthly support groups came back and the tests showed the her “wonderful and supportive neigh-
undergo a complete hysterectomy. was the best thing she did for herself. surgeries could not get all the cancer bors.”
While she was initially reluctant to tell cells and she needed more surgeries.
“Having a hysterectomy at 31 was a her story, especially since she had such To f ind out more about Support
hard thing to come to grips with, but a rare type of cancer, she began to feel While she had learned about Sup- Connection and the Support-A-Walk,
at the very least, it ended my painful at ease and was reassured by the other port Connection from her daughter’s visit SupportConnection.org.
symptoms,” Ekelund said. friend the day after she was diagnosed,

However, that was not the end of the
road. She was in a “watch and wait”

Advertising Deadline
The advertising deadline for Yorktown News is the Thursday before the next publication date. Advertisements can be submitted by you as a camera-ready PDF via
email at [email protected]. We also offer our clients a free ad design service. For more information, call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151.

Page 4 – Yorktown News Thursday, July 16, 2020

‘Old Put’ railroad station restored to original glory

BY KATHERINE BORCHERT the Old Put the last of its kind. started this village.”
STAFF WRITER
ough a grant to refurbish the Slater presented Tegeder, Town

station was acquired in 2004, it Planner Robyn A. Steinberg

After 16 years of work, the his- wasn’t until early July 2019 that the and Assistant Planner omas

toric train station at Railroad Park bid for construction was awarded to D’Agostino a proclamation for

is nally done and plans have been Clemco Construction of Ossining, their work on the project. O cials

made to open it back up to the pub- the only bidder, for the work. also acknowledged Lorraine De-

lic for the rst time in 62 years. “I want to thank everyone who Sisto, who worked with Tegeder

Town o cials gathered to cut the over the last 16 years played a sub- on the project until her death from

ribbon Tuesday, July 7, at the newly stantive part in making today a re- ovarian cancer in 2014.

renovated structure that has been a ality,” Supervisor Matt Slater said at Construction on the project be-

part of the town’s history since 1877. the ribbon-cutting. “Having grown gan in 2017. It retained the origi-

e station, nicknamed “Old Put” up here in this community, it’s just nal structure but refurbished many

is the last standing station on the incredible to have a piece of our his- of the station’s aspects, such as

former New York-Northern Rail- tory come back to life.” the original form of the windows Town leaders joined together to
way and stopped serving passengers Planning Director John Tegeder and the glass. e woodwork has welcome the Old Put railroad
in 1958 when the last train left the been re nished on the inside and station back to life.
station, four years before freight ser- spearheaded the $467,000 restora- the slate roof and copper nishing
tion project after the town acquired PHOTO: KATHERINE BORCHERT

vice was abandoned between East the money through a federal grant in were replaced. e construction

Falls and Mahopac. Unlike other 2004. e New York State Depart- was overseen by omas Clem-

railways in the Hudson Valley, the ment of Transportation reimbursed mens from Clemco Construction. Walter Sedovic and Jill Gotthelf and everybody loves this station,and

Northern Railway did not directly the town $295,762 and the town “ ere have been periods where of Walter Sedovic Architects of Ir- it’s important to us that it continues

connect to Grand Central Terminal covered the remaining $147,881. people have had doubt and [raised] vington oversaw the design of the to be a crucial anchor for this com-

in Manhattan, which hurt ridership “It’s been a long time,” Tegeder the question of where Yorktown is building and compared the build- munity and that we can feel with

and ultimately led to the closure of said at the event. “I’ve been trying or where it’s going. I think what ing’s resilience to the resilience dis- con dence that it will live on with

the railway. In 1966, Yorktown pur- to do this since I’ve been here. It’s we’re seeing during this pandemic played by Yorktown residents. us and for us and by us for genera-

chased the empty station and the ex- a great personal accomplishment for is that our natural resources [in Yor- “We’re all still standing just like tions to come.”

terior was repaired in the late 1970s. me. It is something that I hold high ktown] are fantastic,” said County the Old Put station and that’s be- Tegeder said the town is working

e station was deemed a national as a great achievement for the town Legislator and Yorktown resident cause the same dogged determina- to make the Old Put train station

landmark in 1981 and was subse- of Yorktown. is building really Vedat Gashi.“ ere is a rich history tion that caused the railway to exist, a visitor’s center along the North

quently named to the state and local set the stage for the premier ham- and that rich history is going to be that desire to stay connected, to be a County Rail Trail. Visitors will be

registers. let in the town of Yorktown, which preserved for the future and pres- part of a larger community is what able to learn about the town’s his-

Over the years, other rail stations is Yorktown Heights. When the ent, so I want to thank the e orts has driven every one of the people tory and other landmarks, pick up

on the line have been lost to time, rot train came through, there was really over the 16 years. John [Tegeder], up here,” Sedovic said, referring to a refreshment and sit at a table and

and decay,with the Millwood station nothing here. is train station and congratulations and thank you as a town o cials and those honored at enjoy the park.

being demolished in 2012, leaving the train that came through here resident of Yorktown.” the event. “Everybody loves a train

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Page 6 – Yorktown News Thursday, July 16, 2020

Schools to submit reopening plans to state

BY CAROL REIF “Creating a framework to reopen New ings and its student forum “invaluable,” ers, administrators, and school sta .”
STAFF WRITER York’s schools has been an undertaking of Tahoe added that “by working together, Requiring in-person classes “regardless
paramount e ort, made even more di - we will be able to ensure that the issues of
e state Education Department has cult by the devastating impact the pan- health, safety and educational equity are of the status of the COVID-19 pandemic
unveiled a “framework” that schools can demic has had here in New York state,” at the forefront of every decision.” is a callous disregard for human health
use as they plan for reopening—whether said Board of Regents Chancellor Betty and safety, and puts the lives of those we
that occurs remotely, in person, or as a A. Rosa. Each regional meeting included more have worked tirelessly to protect in jeop-
hybrid of the two. than 350 experts and stakeholders from ardy,” Rosa and Tahoe said.
Interim Commissioner Shannon health and education elds. More than
e 28-page document was released Tahoe said the Education Department, 1,650 parents, students, teachers, ad- ey added that any decisions on the
Monday, July 13. It was to be followed while mulling that framework, “quickly ministrators, school board members reopening of schools “should be made
this week, the state said, with “formal recognized that we need to hear from as and stakeholders attended and provided based on the best science, data, and guid-
guidance…that will enable New York’s many people as possible to be sure the “valuable” feedback, the state said. ance available from state and federal
schools to continue to safely educate their diverse voices of all New Yorkers are rep- health professionals.”
students this fall.” resented.” e Board of Regents and the Educa-
tion Department has, they said in a July A portal on the Education Depart-
All districts and schools must submit Calling the input it received from par- 8 statement, been focused on the “health ment’s website where school reopening
their reopening plans to the state by Fri- ticipants at its regional task force meet- and safety of New York’s students, teach- plans can be submitted will launch on
day, July 31. Friday, July 17.

CATHOLIC SCHOOL them nd employment within the Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Sts. Peter & Paul School, Staten Island

FROM PAGE 1 archdiocesan school system. Pelham Manor Sts. Philip & James School, Bronx

In addition to St. Patrick’s Parochial Our Lady of Pompeii School, St. omas Aquinas School, Bronx

the a ected schools.” School, at 483 Old Post Road in Bedford, Manhattan St. John School in Goshen will merge

e announcement by the archdiocese and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School, at Our Lady of the Assumption School, with Sacred Heart School in Monroe

said the superintendent’s o ce will work 1375 East Main St. in Shrub Oak, the Bronx and the St. Stephen-St. Edward School,

with each a ected family to try and help following Catholic schools will not reopen: Sacred Heart School, Su ern Warwick.

them nd a neighboring Catholic school Corpus Christi School, Manhattan St. Ann School, Yonkers Representatives for St. Patrick’s and St.

for the fall and provide information and Divine Mercy School, New Windsor St. John’s School, Kingsbridge, Bronx Elizabeth Ann Seton could not be reached

answers to any questions about tuition, Holy Family School, New Rochelle St. Joseph-St. omas School, Staten by publication time.

transportation or enrollment. Nativity of Our Blessed Lady School, Island

It also announced it will help the Bronx St. Luke School, Bronx Updates on the schools can be found at:

displaced sta , in partnership with the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel-St. Benedicta St. Paul School, Yonkers https://catholicschoolsny.org/announcements.

teachers’ union, and do its best in helping School, Staten Island St. Peter School, Poughkeepsie

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Page 7 – Yorktown News Thursday, July 16, 2020

MBV

FROM PAGE 1

sure you get food on your table. Many Andrea Baldwin, Wayne Reese and Tamika Robinson walking in Peekskill. Veteran Robert Burkard, who passed
people su er from food insecurity, but away in March 2020. This year’s walk was
then imagine going back to an empty Sunday, June 14, in honor of Rob Burkard, Tributes; Yorktown News; Empire City dedicated to his memory.
apartment where you have nothing to sit
on,” Miritello said. “I’m very thankful that who passed away in March, and support- Garrison, the 501st Legion; Collabergh- PHOTOS COURTESY OF PAULA MIRITELLO
somehow even through the dark time for
our nation, we’re still somehow chugging ers rallied around the charity and the vet- Radium Lodge 859; Volz Brothers; Pro- The Begy Family walking for Robert
along and trying to make sure we can Burkard as “Team Rob’s Manadalorians,”
make the world a better place.” erans it serves. active Physical erapy; ornwood a Star Wars reference, from Matthews,
North Carolina.
e organization was founded in mem- “His family walked in all di erent states. Architectural Wood; Lake Mohegan
ory of Miritello’s brother Vincent Miritello,
who lived with cerebral palsy and passed It was fantastic,”Miritello said.“It was such Professional Fire ghters Local Engine
away in 2000 at just 20 years old. My
Brother Vinny has helped 1,097 veterans a beautiful tribute to Rob and he’s still go- 2956; PCSB Bank; Peekskill Elks Lodge
to date.
ing to stay forward in our charity. We put 744; Polyglass USA; Bedford Ford; A&M
However, Miritello worried that without
the walk, she wouldn’t be able to help those him on our shirt. We have him on our left Hardwood Flooring; Reel Snow; Fran-
who help this country without possibly
bankrupting herself. sleeve. It was beautiful.” zoso Contracting; Patterson Auto Body;

She said that even throughout the pan- All across the country, hundreds joined West-Fair Electric; Alex and Jaimie Me-
demic, she has been helping veterans.
Without the walk fundraiser, she said she in walking to raise money to help veterans. dina; Medina Made Inc.; Bella Brown;
would have tapped into her own accounts.
In total, there were 43 teams and more than Maxine Hicks; organizer Dena DeLucia-
“I said a prayer that we would receive sup-
port with extra emphasis on me not having 350 people who walked in support. Pryzgoda; Diana Trinchitella for providing
to take a pension loan or 401(k) loan to
help our veterans. is is how I funded the In fact, the “walk with us anywhere” con- support; and Stephanie Carillo, Maryellen
early days without ever taking the money
back,”Miritello said.“It was an extra unset- cept was so successful that Miritello said Howard and Yorktown Pizza & Pasta for
tling time with all the cards stacked against
us with COVID-19, but we knew that we she may never go back to the old model. It all their help.
had to persevere. Our veterans needed us.”
also allowed her to livestream,post on social She thanked all for believing in the beau-
But just like those she helps with her
organization, she, too, “adapted and over- media, as well as see the organization’s sup- ty of My Brother Vinny, for their belief in
came.”
porters across the United States. her and allowing her to honor her brother’s
e organization held a virtual walk on
She said she thanks all of the char- memory through good deeds.

ity’s supporters and gave shout-outs to For more information about My Brother

Yorktown Self Storage; Lifetime VideoT:9.5V” inny, visit MyBrotherVinny.org

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Page 8 – Yorktown News Thursday, July 16, 2020

Happily
Ever
After

Converting to clean Identity: Part II
electric generation exploring the problem

BY DR. LAURA KOSBAR 2040 Yorkto wn100 Zero In last week’s column I raised MY
for your consideration a ques- PERSPECTIVE
While many of the changes you may need Net Carbon STEP UP TO A tion that has haunted hu-
to make to reduce your carbon footprint SUSTAINABLE mankind for centuries: what does JAMES
- such as getting a more fuel e cient LIFESTYLE identity entail? I posed various MARTORANO
or electric vehicle, upgrading your heating/cooling scenarios which tested our no-
systems, or upgrading appliances - may take some Emissions by tions of the self: 1) a ship whose e problem of personal iden-
planning and/or initial cash outlay, converting your parts are replaced one by one tity embraces a set of loosely con-
electricity to “clean”generation sources is easy, quick, 1. What you can do convert to clean electric- over centuries, at what point is nected questions which, although
can even save you money – and you can do it today! ity today: New York state allows you to choose in not the “same” ship? 2) a nurse related, raise distinct issues. ree
who supplies the electricity you need. You can telling me that my unconscious of the central questions are: a)
WHAT IS“CLEAN”ELECTRIC POWER? directly select the Energy Services Company mom is “not there” as she lay in what values are really important
“Clean”electric power is generated from sources (ESCO) that generates the electricity, and many her bed ghting for every last to me? b) Am I a singular person,
will supply you with 100% clean electricity. To breath, 3) Yusuf Islam (formerly or is it possible that there is more
that do not produce carbon dioxide (CO2) such select an ESCO, start by going to “NYS Power to Cat Stevens) claiming he’s exactly than one person in me? c) In
as wind, solar, hydroelectric and nuclear power. Choose”at documents.dps.ny.gov/PTC/home. If the same person that he was 50 what ways am I (or am I not)
Some renewable sources, such as burning biomass, you enter your location and “view electric”, you can years ago, 4) Morgan Freeman’s the identical person that I have
release carbon that was already part of the existing see all of the ESCO’s available to you, including the character, Ellis Boyd Redding been in my past or will be in my
carbon cycle. Non-clean sources include burning amount and type of renewable energy they supply, telling a parole board he’s not the future? My focus today will be
fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and petroleum. and information on current and historical pric- same man that entered prison the questions raised during my
Natural gas and is often claimed to be a “cleaner” ing. ere are presently over 30 ESCOs available years before, is he correct? 5) mother’s nal moments, and by
fossil fuel because it emits less CO2 than coal, but with Con Ed and over 20 with NYSEG that use Philosopher Sydney Shoemaker’s the claims of both Yusuf Islam
the methane that is released during extraction and 100% renewable generation. If you click on the thought experiment wherein a and Ellis Boyd Redding: do we
transportation has at least 25 times the impact on name of the ESCO, it will take you to their website Mr. Brown’s brain is mistakenly persist through time? Let me
climate change than an equivalent amount of CO2. where you can sign up. is will guarantee that placed in Mr. Robinson’s body; provide for you some of the more
Across the US in 2019 over 60% of electricity was the amount of electricity you use is generated from who is this “new” person? predominate answers to this
generated from fossil fuels, about 20% from nuclear, renewable sources. In many cases, however, the question that have been posited
and less than 18% was from renewable sources. costs to you for clean power may be higher than All the questions I raised through history.
Over 1.6 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide from your current supplier, but you will be reducing revolve around the preliminary
equivalent was emitted just for electricity genera- your “cost”impact on the environment. question of what do we mean by e permanent self is an Il-
tion in 2018! the word “same”? When I say I lusion theory: Let us begin our
2. What you can do to convert to clean energy am the same person who served discussion with the observation
WHERE DOES YOUR ELECTRICITY COME within months: If you do not have solar panels as your councilperson for twenty that we undergo continuous
FROM AND HOW CAN YOU CHOOSE CLEAN on your property, you can sign up with a “com- years, what do I mean? If I looked qualitative changes during our
POWER? munity solar”project. ese projects install solar out the window and noticed that lifetime. From minute to minute
panels in nearby locations and allow residents to my neighbor bought the same our bodies are constantly gaining
Our local power comes from a range of power get some of the bene ts of solar panels even if they car that I possess today what and losing physical materials. Our
generation sources including coal, natural gas, can’t or don’t choose to install them themselves. If does that mean? One meaning entire physical makeup is replaced
nuclear, and renewable sources. About 70% of the you participate, a portion of the energy produced suggests that it is the same “type”
power provided by Consolidated Edison (Con Ed), while the other claims actual SEE MARTORANO PAGE 14
for example, is generated from burning fossil fuels. SEE KOSBAR PAGE 12 “numerical identity.”You will see
as we examine these issues that
Fortunately, you have several ways to choose this distinction is critical.
cleaner sources of electricity.

BRETT FREEMAN, PUBLISHER BAILEY COURT, 334 ROUTE 202, UNIT C1S Letters to the editor and op-ed submissions may be edited. The views
JODI WEINBERGER, EDITOR SOMERS, NY 10589 and opinions expressed in letters and op-eds are not necessarily those
TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL, CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Editorial Office: 914-302-5628 ©2020 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC of Yorktown News or its affiliates. Submissions must include a phone
Fax: 914-617-8508 number and address for verification. Not all letters and op-eds will
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the editor by e-mail at [email protected].
For more information, call the editor at 914-302-5830.

Thursday, July 16, 2020 OPINION Yorktown News – Page 9

LETTERS Replacing scores of
Allstate | State Farm | Geico
No to Atlantic a comment he’d written for Ford
Appliance was the best political joke of 1976: Policies Everyday!
“People ask me if Ronald Reagan
To the editor: dyes his hair. Let me just say that ONE CALL… MULTIPLE QUOTES We Offer Many
Something is wrong here in Yor- he’s prematurely orange.” So You Can Get The Best Buy! A-Rated Companies

ktown. How can the Food Empo- roughout the dinner, guys – Come See Travelers • Foremost
rium Building remain empty for 10 and it was almost all guys in those Hy Reichbach, Susan Rohrig & Carmen A. Ritter Progressive • Safeco
years, a large ugly, cement box…but days – around the table told jokes. Kemper • Hartford
then…inch by inch, every beautiful Watching Orben I could see when For Experience, Knowledge and Service Mercury • 1st American
forested piece of land is being cut a joke started he’d appear to be Main Street America
down, wood chipped and turned Aardvark Insurance
into cement. e latest “project”is guring out the punch line. So Utica Mutual
by Atlantic Appliance. ey have he wouldn’t laugh at the end of 600 Rt. 6 | Mahopac NY
decided they want to move out the joke because he’d either heard 845.208.3707 • 845.225.1007
of the Triangle Center and have it before or intuited the punch
proposed cutting a nice, sweet spot line. At one point, someone asked [email protected]
out for themselves, across the street, him about his politics. He said
next to the Yorktown Post O ce. he’d written for politicians of all The Carmel Aardvark Insurance office is merged with the Mahopac office
persuasions although his personal effective November 25, 2015.
e problem? It’s a pretty nice forest preference was originally on the
containing lots of trees, a stream and liberal side. “But,”he added, In these uncertain times,
wetlands that span the whole entire “when I was writing for Skelton ONE THING IS CERTAIN,
block, about 5 acres. I’ve heard if and started earning pretty good Joe Tock and his team are
the project goes through, they’ll be money, I moved to a more conser- ready to help you.
taking out about 120 trees. And so vative upper class neighborhood in
let’s assume they get to do this, and Orange County.” I responded,“So LAW OFFICES OF JOSEPH J. TOCK
let’s assume the economy tanks even you’re prematurely orange.” He
more and Atlantic Appliance doesn’t laughed. 963 Route 6, Mahopac, NY 10541
make it. Now we’ll have yet another
empty, ugly cement box. So maybe Bernard Lipsy TOCKLAW.COM • 800-869-8080
this time, the Planning Board should
just say, no. Yorktown Heights

Jennie Sunshine Commercial
facilities
Yorktown
To the editor:
Memories Are large scale, commercial

To the editor: solar farms appropriate in residen-
Bruce Apar’s recent piece cit- tial neighborhoods? Possibly your
neighborhood?
ing brief excerpts from graduation
speeches was most enjoyable. But Don’t get me wrong. I’m a
the quote from Robert Orben strong supporter of solar energy
jogged a memory of an encounter I and I believe Yorktown should
had with him 43 years ago. do what it can to encourage more
solar facilities, both roof top and
Orben was a joke writer for Red ground installations. In residential
Skelton’s TV show that originated in and commercial districts. BUT
Los Angeles. Somehow or another — on appropriate sites.
– details escape me – he wound
up as the chief speech writer for A large solar farm is an ideal
President Gerald Ford. After Ford’s location for undeveloped land
defeat in the 1976 election, Orben that has already been cleared,
capitalized on his White House like former pasture land. But not
credentials as he sought new sources when the solar farm will result
of income. in changing the character of a
neighborhood by clear cutting
In October 1977, he was a fea- large swaths of woodlands and
tured speaker at a three-day meeting replacing mature trees with acre
of IBM Communications profes- upon acre upon acre upon acre of
sionals at the New York Hilton. solar panels.
After his remarks, he opened the
at’s why the Town Board
oor to questions. I asked about should consider allowing solar
something he’d said several weeks facilities (as well as battery storage
earlier in a New York Times Busi- facilities) by rezoning parcels for
ness Section front-page article. He’d special energy uses on a case by
been quoted about providing speech case basis instead of the “okay on
material for an unnamed CEO any parcel”approach that’s in the
who was facing a hostile sharehold- proposed law.
ers meeting. I questioned how the
CEO and his company’s sharehold- Like the rst version of the solar
ers would react if they read some of law that was the subject of a public
the words in e Times that they’d hearing last July, the latest version,
heard the CEO deliver. draft #5, that will be the subject of
a public hearing on July 21 would
at evening at dinner I sought allow large scale solar farms in any
out Orben and sat at his table to residential district on at least two
try to make amends for my critical acres. e facility could cover 80
comments. He was friendly. In the percent of the site.
course of general conversation with
everyone at the table, he said he was But, unlike the earlier version,
very proud that Time magazine said
SEE LETTERS PAGE 14