Mahopac News 07.23.20

VOL. 11 NO. 21 Visit TapIntoMahopac.net for the latest news. THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020

Police Chief Mike Cazzari to retire
Tenure ends July 31, search for replacement underway

BY BOB DUMAS be a cop. I went to Dutchess Community Cazzari said becoming chief wasn’t re-

EDITOR College for criminal justice and took all ally on his radar, but he looked at the pro-

the police tests and eventually got a job.” motion as a chance to do some good and

After a distinguished 35-year career in at rst job was a part-time position make some changes.

law enforcement, Carmel Police Chief working for the town of Kent Police De- “I thought, you can’t really change

Mike Cazzari is hanging up his gun belt. partment. He was 23. things unless you’re in a position to do

Taking advantage of an incentive pro- e Carmel Police Department has that,” he said. “I didn’t have a desire for

gram being o ered this year by the Town recently had a spate of new hires, some power; I just wanted to make things bet-

Board, Cazzari will step down and retire as young as Cazzari was when he started. ter.”

from his position on July 31. “I feel proud when we hire these kids,” At that time, the town was just recov-

“I am going to miss the friendships and he said. “ ey are phenomenal people, ering from the recession and was looking

the camaraderie of the men and women I not just good cops. ey like doing it. We to make budget cuts. e police depart-

work with,” Cazzari said. “It is hard to do are hiring people to help the community.” ment was in the crosshairs and sta was

something proudly for 35 years and then Cazzari got his rst fulltime police job being cut.

not do it anymore. It’s not an easy deci- with the now-defunct Putnam Valley “ e department was facing some

sion but this is a young man’s profession, Police Department and then, six months drastic cuts and fortunately I had the skill

so you just try to go out on top.” later, moved to the Carmel PD. at was set to accomplish that task and was able

Cazzari grew up in Lake Carmel and January 1986. to still maintain the level of service and

is a graduating member of the Carmel “It was such a great community and I work with the county and state. You are

High School Class of 1980. For a while, wanted to work here,” he said. “We are forced to work with what you are given.

he had thoughts of becoming an electri- blessed to live in such a wonderful area. You have to make it work for the resi-

cian, but police work was in his DNA. It is a caring community that is in close dents. I work well with others and com- PHOTO: BOB DUMAS

“My dad, my uncle and my godfather proximity to cultural events and sports, municate. But this police department has Police Chief Mike Cazzari
were all cops,” he said. “And that is what and the best hospitals are right here. such a deep connection to the commu-

I wanted to do. I did take some college at’s why I’ve been here raising my fam- nity and there are high expectations. I re-energizing its community outreach

courses to be an electrician and had the ily.” wanted to bring that back. e commu- programs so its o cers can better get

opportunity to work as an apprentice.” In the ’90s, Cazzari became Carmel nity still loved us, but the politicians— to know the populace it serves. One ex-

Cazzari said the owner of the electri- PD’s D.A.R.E. o cer, a job he per- not so much.” ample is o cers working with the school

cal company he apprenticed for couldn’t formed for eight years. In 2000, he was ese days, the Town Board has re- district’s Special Needs PTO to create a

understand why he would turn down a promoted to sergeant and then in 2002, versed course and the police department database of special-needs students. It’s

potentially lucrative career to become a he made lieutenant. has now been sta ed back to its original meant to help rst responders deal with

policeman. In December 2013, when then-Chief pre-recession levels. such residents should they get a call. But

“It’s not about money; it’s about ser- Mike Johnson decided to retire, Cazzari “ ings are good now; it’s great to see,” Cazzari said that wasn’t his doing; his of-

vice,” he said. “When you help others, was named interim chief. Two years later, Cazzari said. “If you don’t feel safe, it cers took the initiative.

there are endorphins, pleasure. ere is he was tapped as the fulltime permanent doesn’t matter how beautiful the town is.” SEE CAZZARI PAGE 2

really something there. So, I wanted to chief. With a full sta , the department is now

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PAGE 2 MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020

Go from... CAZZARI are so fortunate to have that here.”
Supervisor Ken Schmitt, a former cop
that... FROM PAGE 1

himself, said he worked with Cazzari

“ ey did that on their own. I didn’t side-by-side in the police department

tell them to do that. I tell them, you before Schmitt retired from the force.

have an idea, go do it,” he said. “So, we He was the town supervisor when Ca-

are bringing back community outreach. zzari was named chief of police.

e PBA used to do the food drives and “It was a pleasure working alongside

there was always something going on him in the same squad, and he always

with these kinds of events. It’s important took his job very seriously and served

that [residents] see we’re not just here to with a tremendous amount of integ-

write tickets. ey have happy memories rity and compassion,” Schmitt said. “He

of meeting our cops at the rehouse and truly cared about people and had a great

the fairs. We want to cultivate that. You work ethic. He had great law enforce-

don’t build trust overnight.” ment skills that helped him as he rose

While Cazzari’s time with the police through the ranks.

department may be over, he hopes to “He was an outstanding chief of po-

continue his public service. He recent- lice and was the right person at the right

ly served a three-year term as a school time for the job,” he added. “He built

board trustee but found that experience and maintained an outstanding police

somewhat frustrating. department.”

“ ere is not much you can change Schmitt said Cazzari always focused

because Albany mandates so much,” he his attention on his o cers and encour-

said. aged them to be professional and to

to THIS So, perhaps a run for Town Board continue learning.
...safely!
could be in his future. “He always provided them the nec-
The Hair Wharf
“I would like to still serve and will essary tools and training needed to
20 Valley Road, Katonah • 914-232-7271 •
continue to do it, and maybe seek elect- perform their duties,” he said. “I’ve ap-
NOW
IS ed o ce,” he said. preciated his leadership and profession-
THE
Looking back on his career, Cazzari alism—it always stood out. He has been
TIME
TO said the common theme that jumps out a great community advocate.”
SELL!
at him is “honor and privilege.” Schmitt also praised the way Cazzari

“I appreciate the support through all helped rebuild the police department.

the tragedies,” he said. “ e community “His recommendations for new hires

comes together; it’s a loving community. over the past years have always been

It warms your heart, especially with all great and now we have a great po-

that is going on nationally. [Residents] lice force that has been molded by the

come up and say how they support us SEE CAZZARI PAGE 4
and what a good job we are doing. We

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THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020 MAHOPAC NEWS PAGE 3

The year the music died

Area musicians struggle to nd work during the pandemic

BY KATHERINE BORCHERT posed to go to the Midwest. I was going had to have his date rescheduled,’ he con- they do have dates in the future, that fu-
STAFF WRITER to the Northeast. I was going to do a New tinued. ‘When he nally goes back out ture does not look bright.
England tour and it just immediately be- on the road next year, maybe with two or
Unable to perform due to the coronavi- came ‘everything is canceled until further three of his band members there’s going “Our last show was the rst Sunday
rus pandemic, local musicians are singing notice.’ So, that’s obviously quite disap- to be a con ict with and now he’s got to in March,” he said. ‘We’ve been trying to
the blues these days. pointing.” go out and hire subs and alternates. ere’s run two shows a month, and we’ve had to
a lot of micromanagement stu that will cancel everyone up until this point. Our
Many musicians are feeling the sting Petey Hop, a blues and rock guitarist, have to be handled within each act. But next show is scheduled for Nov. 8 and I’m
of lost income when New York on Pause and songwriter, as well as an instructor at even if that’s not the case, as you can see, thinking that might not happen either.”
went into e ect in mid-March. Tours and the Putnam Music Center in Mahopac, it’s not like you could just [schedule] a gig
shows were canceled, and venues closed said that he su ered nancially due to the and then play it in another two months. A Burns said that the venue is a small space
down. Now, with summer here at last and pandemic, losing two to three tours in Eu- lot of it’s out of your hands and it’s out of that holds about 70 people, and they have
COVID-19 numbers attening, concert rope and possibly hundreds of gigs. your control.” to ll the space or it to be economically
opportunities may once again emerge. feasible, something future social distancing
However, for theaters and music halls and Steve Massa, a full-time musician, Not only had the COVID-19 pandemic guidelines may not allow.
other venues, their fates remain unknown. and independent guitar teacher who also impacted the players but also the business-
teaches at Putnam Music Center, said es that support local musicians have hit a “If we were to cut it to about 20 or 30
Musicians with upcoming shows and that for musicians who tour for a living, sour note. people, the band wouldn’t make a whole
tours remain in limbo, many are still un- the cancelation of shows has caused issues lot of money,’ he said. “It wouldn’t be
sure if their shows are postponed or can- when it comes to rescheduling. North Salem musician and radio-host
celed altogether. George Mallas said that not only has his SEE MUSIC PAGE 6
“Everything that’s on the books for this band, e Four Horsemen of the Apoca-
Members of the Somers band Trillium, year is most de nitely not going to hap- lypse, had to cancel gigs and a fundraiser in
Rick Melen, Colleen Casale, and Lauren pen,” Massa said. Danbury, his radio show “ e Songwriters
Beachak, said that they had about four Block” on Pawling Public Radio he hosts
gigs planned prior to pandemic but were Massa said that he and his band had with Melanie Berti, has been postponed
“corona canceled.” multiple dates scheduled for this year but since the beginning of the shutdown.
due to the pandemic all shows were either
“Obviously, like everybody else, the canceled or put on hold. at creates a “We’ve been on hiatus since this pan-
coronavirus shot a hole through everyone’s backup in acts that were scheduled before demic broke out. ey closed the station,”
plans,” Melen said. the mandatory shutdown. Mallas said. “I had a ton of guests sched-
uled to come in and play live and I’ve had
Full-time folk-rock singer and song- “You see that with a venue that’s book- to cancel everything. I do have a full-time
writer Dan Zlotnick from Somers said he ing shows way out in advance,” he said. job. I’m not somebody who uses my music
had to cancel multiple gigs which espe- “When you have to basically pull the income to support myself. I would be liv-
cially hurts full-time musicians like him. plug on everything long-term for many ing in a cardboard box somewhere if I did.”
months or upwards of a year, there’s go-
“Musicians at my independent level ing to be a lot of those acts that have to Mike Burns, a Purdys resident and
[spend] so much time with the booking be rescheduled. You have to basically start owner of the Westchester Bluegrass Club
it’s just so frustrating to see hours and from scratch in Lake Purdy, said that the pandemic has
hours and months and months of plan- shut down the club completely, and while
ning go down the drain. at was kind of “Let’s say that Elvis Costello was com-
an initial shock,”Zlotnick said.“I was sup- ing to the Paramount in Peekskill and he

Petey Hop FACEBOOK/PETEY HOP

PHOTO COURTESY OF GEORGE MALLAS. PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE SEMINARA

The 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse, from left , David Ray (War), Mike Latini (Famine), George Mallas (Death), Dave Goldenberg Mike Seminara
(Pestilence).

PAGE 4 MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020

The Staff Mahopac man charged with felony weapon possession

EDITORIAL TEAM BY BOB DUMAS trol along Route 6 in the area of jack, a de ned deadly weapon un- victed of a crime,which resulted in
BOB DUMAS EDITOR the Taconic State Parkway when der New York State penal law. e the third-degree criminal posses-
he observed a vehicle traveling driver, identi ed as Nicholas Cuo- sion of a weapon charge. He also
EDITOR: 845-208-0774 A Mahopac man has been ar- westbound on the shoulder of the mo, 49, of Mahopac, was placed received tra c tickets for driving
[email protected] rested and charged with third- road. e o cer stopped the ve- under arrest and transported to on the shoulder and having no/in-
BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER degree criminal possession of a hicle as it was entering the south- Yorktown police headquarters for adequate license plate lamps.
SPORTS EDITOR: 914-302-5628 weapon, a class D felony. bound entrance to the Taconic. processing.
[email protected] Cuomo was released on his own
Yorktown police said that on Police said that while interview- Upon further investigation, recognizance and is due back in
ADVERTISING TEAM Saturday, July 11, at about 11:35 ing the driver, the o cer noticed police said they discovered that Yorktown Justice Court on Aug.
LISA KAIN p.m., an o cer was on routine pa- him attempting conceal a black- Cuomo had previously been con- 20.

914-351-2424 CAZZARI Schmitt said the Town Board someone from within the police “I am looking forward to
[email protected] is interviewing candidates to re- department for “morale purposes.” spending some time on the lake
FROM PAGE 2 place Cazzari but likely won’t and playing some golf and spend-
PAUL FORHAN make a decision by July 31 when “It shows support and con - ing time with the family,” he said.
914-202-2392 chief,” the supervisor said. “We the chief ’s retirement begins. Lt. dence if they promote from with- “My wife is happy about it. I have
[email protected] are going to miss him. It’s been an John Dearman will be made com- in,” he said. so many projects at home right
CORINNE STANTON honor and privilege serving along- manding o cer to bridge the gap now. I started redoing the bath-
845-621-4049 side him, not just as a police of- until a new chief is hired. Cazzari Meanwhile, Cazzari said he is room three years ago and now I
[email protected] said he urged the board to choose ready for some much-need rest can nish it!”
JENNIFER CONNELLY cer, but as supervisor. He is such and relaxation before starting the
917-446-7757 an easy person to get along with.” next chapter in his life.
[email protected]
BRUCE HELLER Editorial Submissions
914-202-2941 Press releases and photos should be submitted to Mahopac News by the Thursday before the next publication date. Submissons can
[email protected] be emailed to [email protected] or mail it to Mahopac News, Bailey Court, 334 Route 202, Unit C1S, Somers, NY
SHELLEY KILCOYNE 10589. Send a self-addressed stamped envelope if you’d like your photo returned.

CO-FOUNDER Cure the Corona Blues
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[email protected] No one is allowed into the marina due to Covid
GABRIELLE BILIK FREE concert for all boaters on Lake Mahopac
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/DESIGNER
[email protected] Local acoustic singer-songwriters playing a variety of your favorite pop, rock and country hits as well as new original music.

PRODUCTION TEAM Thomas McDermott Rosie D’Angelo John Caruso
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THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020 MAHOPAC NEWS PAGE 5

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PAGE 6 MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020

MUSIC musicians really had any income
the last few months even though
FROM PAGE 3

I’ve been trying to help them get

worth their while at that point.” the word out using the marketing

He said that he’s hopeful once tools I have,” Zuckerberg said.

the threat of the COVID-19 “Until they can play live again, I

pandemic no longer looms, the think it’s going to be a challenge.”

club can start up again next year. While many performers have

Many musicians have begun live-streamed music for their fol-

streaming online to ll the cre- lowers, even practicing has be-

ative void. come a challenge.

Guitar and electric bass player, Trillium members said that

as well as Putnam Music Center while they initially tried to prac-

instructor Mike Seminara, said tice over Zoom, it became di -

that he has been live-streaming cult with internet lag. However,

to try to bring others joy. the Zoom meetings gave them

“I would spend my Friday eve- time to be creative and write mu-

nings doing a live stream acoustic sic.

show on Facebook, not only to “One of the important things

keep myself from losing practice about getting together with

but also to help other people who Zoom is that being in a band isn’t

were a ected by [the pandemic],” just about music, there’s also a so-

he said. “Hopefully, it would give cial component to it,” Melen said. PHOTO COURTESY OF RICK MELEN
Beachak said that they hope Trillium members Lauren Beachak, Colleen Casale and Rick Melen
them some happiness.”

To make up for nancial loss- to be able to get the new songs

es, some performers play online ready for the next gig since CO- record, basically what is an album’s sic,” Zlotnick said. “I went from And while many others con-

shows to try to gather donations VID restrictions have eased, and worth of material plus some.” playing four or ve times a week tinue to play outdoor shows this

from fans. they have nally been able to With the state in Phase 4 of to now it’s an exciting thing if I summer, questions loom for mu-

Northern Westchester resident practice together outside Melen’s reopening, some outdoor pa- have one gig on the weekend. So, sic venues in for the cooler fall

Elisa Zuckerberg, who hosts the garage. tios have opened for shows and it is starting up but it’s slow and months. Many said it’s too soon

website HearIt ere.com, a live- Zlotnick said he has used the things have begun to look up for for good reason. But it’s just not to predict.

show locator and marketing tool time to be creative, a sentiment some musicians quite where we would consider “ ere are some open mics

that nds live music in the area, also echoed by Petey Hop. “I have played places that are normal to be.” now that are being run outdoors,”

said that many of the bands she “I happened to have just doing outdoor kinds of patio Hop said that he was able to Mallas said. “But I would say

promotes had switched to Zoom bought myself a home recording gigs, but at the same time restau- play his rst show outdoors on come the fall, we’re going to be

or YouTube and set up GoFund- set-up right before the pandem- rants are hurting and the small the Fourth of July overlooking back in the same situation that

Me pages to get through the - ic,” Hop said. “So lucky! [ e businesses where we make our Windham Mountain and has we were in before. I think it’s all

nancial struggle. shutdown] gave me all the time living are hurting, so it’s not real- some other outdoor gigs sched- going to shut down again until

“I can’t imagine that artists and in the world to gure it out and ly easy for them to hire live mu- uled as well. there is a vaccine.”

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PAGE 8 MAHOPAC NEWS Opinion THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020

Unmasking the facts ings fall apart, the
center cannot hold
Last week, my wife asked me to pick HERE
up some Asian-fusion food for AND Last week, I wrote about how LIFE,
dinner at a nearby restaurant. She NOW! Goya Foods got cancelled. HEALTH,
called ahead, and when I got there, six Ironically, that campaign POLITICS
folks—all masked—were in a line ahead BERNIE turned out to be a very good thing for
of me, socially distanced and waiting KOSBERG Goya, instead of the reverse. e news MARA
patiently to pick up their food. As the line spread on Twitter and people all over SCHIFFREN
moved slowly forward, a late model Ca- ment and systems needed to respond. the country who were incensed by
maro roared into the parking lot. A young ere is no national testing strategy; this turn of events bought out Goya “One thing above all else will
stud colorfully tattooed and sans facemask products in supermarkets everywhere restore order to our streets: an over-
exited his vehicle and moved quickly to there is no national contact tracing pro- until the shelves were empty. whelming show of force to disperse,
the front of the line, proclaiming, “Sorry, gram. ere is no national e ort to coor- detain and ultimately deter lawbreak-
I’m late for a party. My phone is dead; I dinate the distribution of medical supplies. Meanwhile, the company itself ers,” Cotton wrote.
need to put in my order.” Governors attempting to impose strong used this moment as an occasion to
lockdowns have been berated and intimi- continue donating thousands of tons is was a widely popular view,
e restaurateur, standing behind a dated by Trump. of food to shelters and breadlines. held by about 56 percent of the popu-
table with a plexiglass shield in front of it, lace. Yet, the editorial led to a sta
appeared taken aback. e woman next Trump has downplayed the severity of In the end, a minority-owned revolt at e New York Times. Ac-
in line calmly said to the fellow, “If you the virus’s continuing toll and has actively business continued to prosper de- cording to Vox, “a number of Times
insist on pushing in front of me, please put discouraged e orts to mitigate its spread. spite the campaign to destroy it led sta ers began tweeting a screenshot
a mask on. I have an extra in my pocket- Not only has he failed to set an example by privileged progressives, many of of the piece’s headline captioned with
book.” through mask-wearing, he has pushed them quite wealthy. At the same time, the phrase: “Running this puts Black
for a rapid reopening of businesses and Goya helped many people who have @NYTimes writers, editors and other
“No,” he said, “NO!” schools in states that have not met CDC been adversely a ected by the current sta in danger.” Cotton’s suggestion
e woman backed up and, for the standards. pandemic, and who are desperate for was called “fascist” by other New York
food donations. Times writers. Recall that this was
next few minutes, Mr. Maskless asked the By adamantly refusing to wear a mask a widely popular view countrywide,
waiter questions and checked the dishes and belittling those who do, Trump has Win, win! If only all cancel cam- labeled as fascist as a way to shut
he wanted. e woman remained calm and turned a vital public health tool into a paigns turned out exactly like this. down legitimate debate of this point
asked, once again, if she could give him a political weapon. In addition, Trump of view, to render it out of bounds for
mask to wear. He stared her down. sycophants in the White House have Unfortunately, they do not. everyone, everywhere. Because where
engaged in a frantic campaign to discredit Another casualty of the culture the New York Time leads, other pa-
I think those of us in line were becom- the federal government’s chief infectious wars last week was Bari Weiss, a gift- pers follow. Indeed, since that time in
ing uncomfortable with what was hap- disease specialist, Dr. Anthony Fauci, who ed editor and political centrist who early June, all we have seen from the
pening. I know I was. But it was a no-win has had the courage to admit that things worked at the New York Times. e mainstream media is a license towards
situation that could only escalate into a are not going well in much of the country, campaign to cancel her had been on- increasing radicalism.
nasty confrontation. Understandably, the and that, lacking a vaccine or medication, going since her hire, three years back,
woman backed up further and said no the only true solution we have available following the New York Times’ failure Whatever you think about Tom
more. today to combat COVID-19 is to wear a to anticipate the possibility of Hillary Cotton’s suggestion, remember
mask and maintain safe distances. Clinton losing the 2016 election. She that the traditional function of the
e Centers for Disease Control (CDC) was hired to help introduce New York editorial page of newspapers is to air
o ers compelling evidence that masking- According to a Pew Research Center Times readers (and sta ) to writers di erent points of view to the bene t
up dramatically reduces the spread of CO- survey conducted in June, 65 percent of and perspectives to which they were of all. It exists to present arguments,
VID-19. But mask wearing has become U.S. adults said they wear a mask in stores not exposed, to help them get out to inform, to educate, to persuade.
politicized. or businesses all or most of the time; 15 of their thought bubbles. Given the
percent said some of the time; 9 percent increasing orthodoxy apparent at e e paper leaves it up to the reader to
e number of coronavirus cases in the said hardly, 7 percent said never, and 4 New York Times, this was always go- agree or disagree. We are very for-
U.S. is quickly approaching four million, percent said they never leave the house. ing to be a role that came under re. tunate, indeed, in Mahopac that the
with 150,000 dead. By November, ac- And so it goes. A recent series of Mahopac News and Halston Media
cording to the latest study by Washington Let’s also look at the partisan divide: events at the paper made it impossible continues to encourage diverse opin-
University, the number of dead will reach According to Pew, more Democrats than for Weiss to continue. In early June, ions to air on their opinion page.
250,000 and progressively grow worse as Republicans say they wear masks in stores e New York Times printed an op
medical resources become exceedingly and businesses all or most of the time—76 ed by Sen.Tom Cotton arguing that In contrast, e New York Times
scarce, with the arrival of the winter u percent of Democrats and those who lean the federal government should rely has now reformed itself out of pre-
season. Democrat, compared with 53 percent of on the Insurrection Act and send in senting editorials that its employees
Republicans and Republican-leaners. federal troops to help suppress the
ere are numerous reasons we are violence that took place in various SEE SCHIFFREN PAGE 10
experiencing this health catastrophe, but SEE KOSBERG PAGE 10 cities following upon the death of
one stands above all others—Donald J. Georges Floyd.
Trump. For months, starting in January,
Trump ignored warnings and denied that
the pandemic would be a problem. His
administration didn’t prepare the equip-

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THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020 OPINION MAHOPAC NEWS PAGE 9

Airport Park project LETTERS

ere is still a chance to correct northeast and wondered if they Caucasian people? Would the lowing their child to return to

snubs historic site the anti-historic ways. would be revisited once the vi- White House still be consis- school? Would our younger

Allan Warnecke ral tsunami swept over southern tently attempting to downplay citizens still be agrantly out-

To the editor, Former Carmel Town Historian and mid-western regions. Well, the impact and severity of the ing social restrictions and even

Your June 25 article on Air- Former Putnam County Historian that tidal wave has broken as pandemic, rejecting the related intentionally contracting and

port Park (“Airport Park project expected. And, hey, at least you science, and attempting to dis- spreading the virus if it were kill-

still on target for fall opening”) Pandemic shows can say they’re consistent—the credit the guidance of their own ing a comparable number in their
details more damaging insults to who we are blatant disregard demonstrated experts in the elds of infec- generation, instead of the elderly,
the Hill/Agor historic farm site. by red state leaders toward blue tious disease and epidemiology? the disenfranchised and the most
state citizens su ering under the Would parents still be calling vulnerable?
ere has already been unaccept-

able activity on the site ranging To the editor, initial wave is now being shown for the head of any school board SEE LETTERS PAGE 10

from neglect to intentional de- Back in April, because of polit- by those same leaders to their member who voted against al-

struction. e farm road is used ically motivated talk that de ned own constituents. Sadly, certain

as a conduit for construction ve- coronavirus victims as a type of national, state and regional po-

hicles, historic buildings demol- societal collateral damage that litical leaders are demonstrat-

Enjoy Lifeished, archeology excavated, large is to be expected, accepted, and ing that they do indeed consider

trees cut, stonewalls removed or moved on from (later character- their stated objective—recovery More with
a Reverse
damaged, and trash dumped. ized in the White House slogan of our economic activity—to be Mortgage!

Now, there is trenching of a wa- “We need to live with it”), I stat- a higher priority than the lives of

ter main to supply the south end ed in my April 23 letter “What their virus-vulnerable voters. In

of the Mahopac Airport. is ‘acceptable collateral damage’?” pursuit of their true ambitions—

Today, radicals are destroying that “we’ve yet to face the biggest political ones—they’ve lived With a reverse mortgage,
historic sites and monuments all and most important question down to our lowest expectations you can access cash from
across our country. Does our lo- that will come out of this: Who of them at the cost of thousands the equity in your home and
cal government have to act in a are we?” more American lives. release yourself from monthly
like-minded way? e Hill/Agor mortgage payments.
farm site has been declared eli- It saddens me to say that the So, I ask again: Is this because
answer to that question, at least of their dismissive attitude to-

gible for the National Registry of from the perspective of our fel- ward the majority of those who Call Us Today at 800-711-1071.
historic sites and nominated for low global citizens, is being un- the virus tends to kill?

the same. No work should be charitably crafted by a handful Does the virus’s mortality rate,

done on or near one of Putnam of our political leaders and their heavily weighted toward our el- Putnam Capital Services
County’s most signi cant his- supporters. As a nation, we don’t derly, economically challenged Your LOCAL Home Mortgage Professionals
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PAGE 10 MAHOPAC NEWS OPINION THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020

KOSBERG SCHIFFREN she describes an atmosphere of are now considered liabilities.

FROM PAGE 8 FROM PAGE 8 constant sniping and attacks on No one will champion their

Forty-nine percent of conservative Republicans report that do not agree with. It will present her by colleagues. inclusion in the paper moving
they wear a mask, as do 60 percent of moderate Republicans. only ideas that are approved by
Eighty-three percent of liberal Democrats report they wear a the left and the far left, the cancel “Showing up for work as a cen- forward.
mask, as do 71 percent of moderate Democrats. mob and the group thinkers on
twitter. If an opinion does not trist at an American newspaper at, my friends, is a sad state
Pew also reports that there are measurable di erences across meet approval by the in-house
racial and ethnic groups, with Whites being the least likely outrage mob, e New York should not require bravery,” wrote of a airs.
to say they regularly wear masks. Sixty-two percent of White Times will not entertain publish-
adults report that they wear masks, as compared with 69 percent ing it. Weiss in her resignation letter. When things fall apart, they fall
of Blacks adults, 74 percent of Hispanics and 80 percent of
Asians. Bari Weiss lasted at the Times And she states that “intellectual apart so hard.
only a month after these events
Education seems to be a factor, as well. Seventy-six percent of occurred. In her resignation letter, curiosity” and “risk taking” are
college graduates report wearing a mask, as compared with 60
percent of those without a college degree. now “liabilities at the Times.” Mara Schi ren, PhD, is a writer,

Older adults—classi ed as a high-risk population by the Let it sink in. For the former certi ed Functional Medicine Health
CDC—are more likely than younger adults to wear a mask.
Seventy-four percent over the age of 65 wear a mask, compared paper of record, intellectual curios- coach, certi ed Peak Performance
with 66 percent between the ages of 50 to 64, 61 percent for
those between 30 to 49, and 62 percent for those between the ity and taking risks as an editor to coach and psychological tness
ages of 18 to 29.
include ideas held by centrists and, specialist. You can reach her at
Interestingly, these age gaps are consistent across political
party lines, as well. God forbid, people further right, [email protected].

Americans in counties with a high COVID-19 death rate are LETTERS we are right now is who we are perceived to be, and,
twice as likely as those in low-impact counties to wear masks. thanks to that very vocal minority and the political
Sixty-three percent of city dwellers report wearing masks, com- FROM PAGE 9 leaders whose views they endorse, all of us are being
pared with 68 percent of suburbanites, and forty-three percent perceived around the world as heartless, foolish and
of those living in rural areas. Is it even remotely possible that leaders on the pitiful people. Fortunately, how long we allow that
right view the current pattern of virus mortality as a perception to persist is up to the voters, and for now
ese are the facts. Where do you stand? win-win situation because the most typical virus vic- the Democrats seem to have the numbers. ey just
tims are overwhelmingly in the same demographics need to cast their ballots and do what is necessary to
as are the citizens whose votes they strive to suppress? begin the process of restoring our good reputation.

We are all being painted with the same broad brush Steve Rock
by those who observe, consider, and judge us by the
words and actions of those short-sighted and self- Mahopac
ish leaders and their supporters. Like it or not, who

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THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020 OPINION MAHOPAC NEWS PAGE 11

Finding and lling in the learning gaps

STRONG usually rely on their children’s can’t be accomplished and one-to- Julie may have speci c issues from a foundation that doesn’t yet exist.
LEARNING teachers to recommend what they one tutoring may be too expensive, her last year’s teacher, her upcom- Dr. Linda
should work on over the summer you’ll need to continue working ing teacher, or a friend who teaches
DR. LINDA to help their child and that process with Julie. e rst step is to deter- elementary students. We can’t x a P.S. Oops! Several readers noti-
SILBERT was obviously disrupted. mine what’s standing in the way of problem if we don’t know what the ed me that the answer to No. 16
Julie’s learning to read. problem is.To assess most of what I on last week’s Fourth of July quiz
Dear Dr. Linda, Teachers, as well as parents and described in the paragraph above, go was incorrect. Guilty as charged!
Let me begin by saying that I’m children, were thrown into un- Let’s start by looking at where she to my website at StrongLearning. I don’t know how I slipped up.
known territory. How do you evalu- may simply have gaps in the build- com and download my free phonics In fact, as I typed it, I heard Kate
really concerned. Julie is entering ate a young child’s progress online? ing blocks of reading. Begin by nd- assessment. It will give you an idea Smith, who popularized the song
second grade in September. As of We have no data about how reliable ing out if she knows all her letters, if Julie has gaps in learning and an “God Bless America,” in my head,
February, she wasn’t reading on or valid an evaluation by Zoom is. and can identify them in both upper idea of what to focus on rst. but I still made a mistake and
grade level and turned 7 early in As a result, many parents have tried and lower case? Does she know the wrote down “ e Star Spangled
March. en COVID-19 hit, and to help, but like you, aren’t trained beginning and ending sounds of By the way, reading isn’t the Banner.” en, a retired music
she started online learning. I think as teachers, so they don’t know how consonants? Consonant blends and only subject in which unknown teacher informed me that the real
her reading skills slipped even more. they’re child is doing. So, they go digraphs, such as sh, ch, th, bl, fr, st, gaps occur. Just because we think title of the answer to No. 20 is
online, as you did, and buy a variety etc.? Does she know her vowels? children have learned every one “America,”although many people
We’ve been sitting with her every of programs and piles of ash cards. Does she know the sounds of the of their multiplication tables think it is “My Country ’tis of ee,”
day doing ash cards and complet- short vowels? Long vowels? Does doesn’t mean they have, and many which is actually just the rst line of
ing workbooks that I bought from e problem is that many she know sight words like “would” children have di culty with the song. See? ere is something
Amazon. She doesn’t seem to mind programs for parents are made up and “when”? Does she put meaning concepts like division and fractions new to learn, no matter how old we
it, but I still don’t think she’s making of a variety of activities without any to the words she’s reading? In other in fourth and fth grade and even are!
any progress. Whether school will game plan related to actual learning. words, can she tell you about what higher.
be online or in person with masks, Students move from one activity to she reads in her own words or is she Dr. Linda is co-author of “Why Bad
we feel she’s going to struggle. We another without connecting the dots just reading individual words? Sometimes the issue that stands Grades Happen to Good Kids” and
can continue working with her, but of what they’re doing. ey don’t between a child (or an adult) director of Strong Learning Tutoring
we really don’t know what we’re do- follow up with practice activities to In order to make the summer learning something new is our and Test Prep. Send your questions to
ing. Since we can’t a ord a tutor, we reinforce what they worked on pre- tutoring worthwhile, try to obtain a simply not knowing what they [email protected].
need some advice. viously. And I’m describing children good tool for assessing if and where don’t know and trying to build on
who weren’t struggling in school
Leslie when the coronavirus arrived.
Dear Leslie,
Are Julie’s reading skills slipping?
Your email is one of many I’ve How do you know? If so, in what
received in the last few weeks from area of reading is she su ering?
parents of elementary school chil- What you really need is a profes-
dren in the same situation. Parents sional reading teacher who will be
able to evaluate Julie and then work
on what she needs. But since that

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