Yorktown News 06.25.20

Vol. 9 No. 13 Visit TapIntoYorktown.net for the latest news. Thursday, June 25, 2020

Juneteenth Day
honored in Yorktown

BY KATHERINE BORCHERT celebrated commemoration of the

STAFF WRITER ending of slavery in the United States

PHOTO: and celebrations have been held to
KATHERINE
BORCHERT Seizing what one o cial called “an honor African-American freedom

Students, alumni call on important educational moment,” the while encouraging self-development,
Lakeland to speak up about
Town Board on Tuesday, June 16, education and respect for all cul-
Black Lives Matter
unanimously approved a proclama- tures.”

tion declaring June 19 Juneteenth In proclaiming its support for the

Day in Yorktown and released a re- national holiday, the board cited its

source guide designed to help resi- ability to “provide an opportunity for

dents understand racism and provide the people of the United States to

tools to help combat inequality. learn more about the past and to bet-

It was the rst time in the town’s ter understand the experiences that

history that leaders o cially paid have shaped this nation.”

BY KATHERINE BORCHERT “ is all started because a lot of alumni, homage to the holiday. e town also reiterated its stance
STAFF WRITER we’re disheartened about the response our
school and district had about everything go- Juneteenth commemorates the ar- against all forms of bigotry, oppres-
An event called e Peaceful March Down ing on in the world—all the protests and Black
Main Street led hundreds of residents dressed in Lives Matter,” Libretti said. “A group of us got rival of Union troops in Galveston, sion and racism.
black down East Main Street from the ACME together and said, ‘We need to do something
shopping plaza to the Lakeland Administration about this,’ so I think it’s great that it has come Texas, in 1865 to announce the pas- Councilwoman Alice Roker said
Building in Shrub Oak on Tuesday, June 16. e to fruition like this.”
event was organized by Lakeland alumni. sage of the Emancipation Proclama- at the meeting that Yorktown had
At the administration building, alumni,
Along the route, marchers held signs and teachers, community members and leaders tion issued two and a half years ear- slaves, like many other farming com-
chanted through face masks, “No justice, no spoke about their experiences in the district
peace” and “Say his name.” Once at the admin- with racism. lier by President Abraham Lincoln. munities in the United States. She
istration building, they settled in to hear speakers
share their experiences with racism and inequality. “As a white woman in a predominantly “ is is an important educational recounted the records in the Town
white community, I feel that it is so important
Organizer and Lakeland alum Alexia Li- to use my privilege to bene t those around me,” moment for many people,” Supervi- Clerk’s o ce, which include accounts
bretti, who just graduated from Siena College Libretti said. “I want to showcase Black voices
with a biology degree and aspires to work in as well as people of color in our community. sor Matt Slater said at the June 16 of the children born to slaves and the
health care for positive change, said the event It is not enough for you and I to not be racist;
was organized because the district had not we need to learn to become anti-racist. is meeting. “I’m a product of the lo- manumissions that took place in Yor-
o ered a response to the Black Lives Matter
movement. SEE PROTEST PAGE 12 cal school district. I, frankly, wasn’t ktown.

aware of this day, of Juneteenth, and e Act of Manumission, which

it’s meaning until I was out of school. was passed by the New York State

It has a really profound meaning for Legislature in 1842, gave slave own-

a lot of people and I think it’s im- ers the ability to free slaves.

portant for the town and the Town Roker echoed Slater’s sentiments

Board to recognize the day and its about not learning about the

meaning.” historic day in school and linked the

e proclamation acknowledges SEE JUNETEENTH PAGE 3
Juneteenth “as the oldest nationally

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Page 2 – Yorktown News Thursday, June 25, 2020

The Staff Police nab NYC murder suspect in Yorktown

EDITORIAL TEAM BY KATHERINE BORCHERT was being held. said the alert came in at 12:15 Police stopped the car, Noble
JODI WEINBERGER STAFF WRITER
Police arrested McKoy Dove, p.m. and at about 3 p.m., police said, and were assisted by mem-
EDITOR: 914-302-5830
[email protected] 23, without incident by the Mo- were informed that the suspect’s bers of the New York State Po-

BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER Police on June 16 had the hegan Firehouse after receiving vehicle may be traveling on lice and Westchester County
SPORTS EDITOR: 914-302-5628
[email protected] public’s safety in mind as they a noti cation that the suspect Route 6. Department of Public Safety.

ADVERTISING TEAM arrested a murder suspect on was traveling through Yorktown Yorktown police o cers be- Dove was taken to Yorktown
LISA KAIN
Route 6 in Yorktown while, weeks after his alleged involve- gan canvassing the area and Sgt. Police Headquarters and later
914-351-2424
[email protected] just about a mile away, a march ment in a homicide in New York Mark Rapisarda spotted the car handed over to the NYPD.

PAUL FORHAN to end racism in support of the City in May. in the Mohegan Lake business Noble commended the police
914-202-2392
[email protected] Black Lives Matter movement Police Chief Robert Noble district. department for its “exemplary
CORINNE STANTON
845-621-4049 police work.”
[email protected]
JENNIFER CONNELLY “I am proud of the profession-
917-446-7757
[email protected] alism demonstrated by members
BRUCE HELLER
914-202-2941 of the Yorktown Police Depart-
[email protected]
SHELLEY KILCOYNE ment,” Noble said. “ at profes-

CO-FOUNDER sionalism of our department has
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PRODUCTION TEAM
TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL during times of civil unrest has

CREATIVE DIRECTOR been even more meaningful and
PHOTOGRAPHER
poised. Yes, the Yorktown Police
[email protected]
CHRISTINA ROSE Department was providing pub-

ASST PRODUCTION MANAGER lic safety services to an organized
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Thursday, June 25, 2020 Yorktown News – Page 3

Local leaders support making Juneteenth a state holiday

BY CAROL REIF Change could come through ing, and appreciating what it Westchester County Ex- the second.
STAFF WRITER law enforcement reforms and took for our nation to end slav- ecutive George Latimer said Pointing to the recent Soli-
“expanded racial understanding, ery and move toward a path
Local politicians and racial sensitivity, and progress.” of equality for all is more im- ursday, June 18, that June- darity Rally for Black Lives
equality advocates are weighing portant now than ever. It took teenth carries an “even stron- held at Somers’ Reis Park and
in on Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s “And if Juneteenth is part of decades after Juneteenth ( June ger meaning this year, as it falls backed by her organization,
promise to advance legislation that and recognition of what 19, 1865) to end segregation in the midst of a national call Cody said it was evidence of
making Juneteenth an o cial happened, an understanding and yet we still see many racial for justice, and a movement to more people becoming “really
state holiday next year. of what happened and an ac- disparities today. We see this in bring healing to African Amer- conscious of the full force of the
knowledgment of that, great,” the outcomes from our state’s icans around the world.” situation.”
A portmanteau of June and he added. education, health care, criminal
nineteenth, June 19 is also justice, and failed public hous- All county o ce buildings Making Juneteenth a state
known as Jubilee Day and Lib- It’s more than a century ing systems. were closed Friday in honor of holiday would be “a step in the
eration Day, a commemora- later, and “there has still the “historical signi cance” of right direction,” she added.
tion of the end of slavery in the been rampant, systemic “Everyone has a history, a the day.
United States. discrimination and injustice in culture, a family and a tradition State Assemblywoman Alicia
this state and this nation, and that is unique to them. at Latimer said Juneteenth, Hyndman, a Democrat from
It was on that date in 1865 we have been working to enact said, we as Americans, all share which was marking its 155th Queens, last week introduced
that Union soldiers, led by real reforms to address these in this history and we should anniversary, should be used “as a a bill which would make June-
Major Gen. Gordon Granger, inequalities,” Cuomo said. all strive to continue the legacy platform in our continuous pur- teenth a public holiday in honor
arrived in Galveston, Texas, that began with President Lin- suit for equality for all.” of “black and African American
with the news that the war had Making Juneteenth an o - coln’s Emancipation Proclama- freedom and achievements.”
ended and enslaved African cial state holiday would enable tion.” “To all those who have par-
Americans were now free. is all New Yorkers to use the day ticipated in peaceful protests On Wednesday, June 17, she
was two and a half years after “to re ect on all the changes However, Byrne said, he was over the past few weeks, and read the following quote by for-
President Lincoln’s Emancipa- we still need to make to create puzzled by the governor’s de- to those who will celebrate the mer slave Pierce Harper that
tion Proclamation, which had a more fair, just and equal so- cision to declare Juneteenth a true meaning of Juneteenth in had been published in the 1937
been made o cial on Jan. 1, ciety.” paid holiday for public employ- the coming days, know that we Works Project Administration’s
1863. ees in light of the state’s current hear you, we recognize you and “Slave Narratives of Texas.”
State Sen. Pete Harckham, budget de cit. we stand with you.”
After making the announce- D-South Salem, applauded “When peace come they read
ment Wednesday, June 17, Cuomo’s e ort. “If our state is so broke and Susan Cody of Race Am- the Emancipation law to the
Cuomo signed an executive or- desperate for federal funding, ity of Northern Westchester slaves people, they spent that
der making June 19 a paid holi- “Our work in establishing how are we now able to a ord & Putnam said ursday, June night singin and shoutin. ey
day for state employees. ‘justice for all’ is still not n- another paid day o for our 18, that she applauded Cuomo’s wasn’t slaves no more.”
ished, but today’s action con- state’s public employees? We promise to make Juneteenth a
“Friday is Juneteenth—a day can observe and celebrate spe- state holiday. Harper was speaking about
to commemorate the end of rms we will continue moving cial days, like so many others hearing he was free two and a
slavery in the United States— toward a stronger future to- during the calendar year, with- e National Center for Race half years after his “given free-
and it’s a day that is especially gether while learning from the out it being a paid day o ,” By- Amity has been lobbying Con- dom” in Texas.
relevant in this moment in his- mistakes of the past,” he said. rne said. “If we are to declare a gress to establish the second
tory,” Cuomo said in reference new state holiday, I had thought Sunday in June as Race Amity “Black Emancipation Day,
to nationwide demands for jus- State Assemblyman Kevin Election Day would have been Day, a time, the organization June 19, 1865, also known as
tice and racial equality in the Byrne, R-C-Mahopac, said at the top of the list.” says on its website, for all “to re- Juneteenth, is pivotal in the
wake of the killings of George Sunday, June 21, that he was joy, congregation and spiritual
Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Bre- glad that Cuomo “has decided Regardless, Byrne added, the ect (on) and a rm the dignity well-being of Black people in
onna Taylor and others. to bring greater awareness to state Legislature “should have of the diverse racial, cultural and America,” Hyndman said, add-
Juneteenth.” been included in that decision- religious backgrounds of the ing that she was looking for-
“ is is a moment where we making process, rather than human mosaic that constitutes ward to working with her col-
could see change. And I want to “ at’s why I vote in favor of (by) another executive order.” the United States of America.” leagues and the governor “to
be a force for change,” he said. a resolution in the Assembly to ensure Black history and lib-
proclaim Juneteenth in the state In 2015, Massachusetts be- eration stays at the forefront of
of New York every year.” came the rst state to do so; in progress.”
2019, South Carolina became
“Remembering, understand-

JUNETEENTH to why we’re seeing people out a guide titled “Yorktown To- justice groups o ering volun- supportive resources for the
in the streets today, a lot of it gether! Resource Guide for teer or learning opportunities. community.”
FROM PAGE 1 has to do with when we go to Diversity and Inclusion.” e
school. What are we learning? guide, which is on the group’s “As recent events have il- Slater commended ASK for
knowledge of the holiday to the If all people were brought into website allianceforsafekids.org, luminated, we understand we its work.
national civil rights protests in the conversation, all Americans, is designed to help residents must do more. We cannot sim-
response to the death of George regardless of where your ances- discuss racism and take action ply state that we are against “Everybody has a role to play
Floyd on Monday, May 25. tors came from, we would not against racial inequality and racism,” ASK president Tricy in ensuring that our commu-
be having these kinds of prob- o ers web links to discussions Cushner said at the June 16 nity is inclusive,” Slater said.
“I know you didn’t learn about lems.” about race, books that help chil- Town Board meeting. “We “I congratulate the Alliance for
( Juneteenth) in school and nei- dren and teenagers understand must endeavor to be actively Safe Kids for developing a re-
ther did I. I learned about it In honor of Juneteenth, the racism and outreach to social anti-racist with a commitment source that will guide all of us
in church,” Roker said. “And I Alliance for Safe Kids released to providing more inclusive and as we put thoughtful actions
think very often, when it comes behind our words.”

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Page 4 – Yorktown News Thursday, June 25, 2020

Budget passes in Yorktown, Lakeland

BY KATHERINE BORCHERT the remaining 0.6 percent allo- to be serving again. Anthony D’Alessandro and Michael Magnani were
STAFF WRITER cated for equipment. “I am very pleased that the re-elected to the Yorktown Board of Education

Voters overwhelmingly ap- e budget maintains class community overwhelmingly million budget 3,634 to 1,008. salaries and bene ts. e remain-
proved the Yorktown School sizes at or below the Board of supported the budget,” Magnani
District’s budget on Tuesday, Education guidelines and keeps said. “Anthony [D’Alessandro] e budget called for no in- ing 12 percent will be allocated to
June 16, and returned incum- programs intact, including the and I are returning to a cohesive
bents Michael Magnani and An- addition of a second engineering and high functioning Board of crease in the tax levy in York- cover buildings and grounds sta
thony D’Alessandro to their seats course. Education focused on continu-
on the Board of Education. ing to strive for excellence in town and reduced tax rates of 1 salaries and bene ts.
e budget also accounts for Yorktown schools.”
Magnani was the top vote- reopening requirements, includ- percent and 0.2 percent in Yor- e bond passed 3,487 to
getter with 2,360, followed by ing the provisions of . PPE for Anderson said she was grate-
D’Alessandro with 2,163. New- students and sta , facility modi- ful for the opportunity to run for ktown and Cortlandt Manor, re- 1,008. e district will receive 62
comer Elizabeth Anderson Scul- a position on the board.
ly trailed with 1,458 votes. cations and academic support. spectively. percent of the cost back as build-
D’Alessandro said he’s happy “Even though I did not win
Voters supported the district’s to be reelected. a trustee position, I will always e budget is $10 million less ing aid on approved expenditures.
$99.7 million spending plan by “We’re going into a di cult o er to help out the Yorktown
2,442 to 892. couple of years, I think, between School District. I would love an- than last year’s. e project will begin in the
the pandemic and serious so- other opportunity in the future
e budget calls for an increase cial problems that we have,” to run again and look forward to e majority of the budget, summer of 2021.
in spending of 1.55 percent over D’Alessandro said. “I feel that other opportunities, as well,” An-
last year’s $98.2 million budget, my heart is hurting and I want derson said. “I especially want to 80 percent, will cover programs, Incumbents Denise Kness,
with an increase in Yorktown to help.” thank all those who voted for
school taxes by 1.15 percent and He said if this year was “hun- me. I am truly grateful.” including teaching and support Rachelle Nardelli and Donald
an increase in Cortlandt Manor ky-dory” or taking place under
taxes of 1.98 percent. normal circumstances, he may LAKELAND sta salaries and bene ts, while 8 Pinkowsky ran unopposed for
not have sought reelection, but Lakeland voters approved
e 2020-2021 budget allo- felt the consistency of a board percent will cover administrative seats on the school board.
cated 75.3 percent of the expen- member who has previously both the 2020-2021 Lakeland
ditures for salaries and bene ts, served would help students and School District Budget and a
while 19.6 percent will cover the district adapt to the upcom- $4.2 million bond proposal for
contractual obligations. Of the ing challenges. roof repairs at Lakeland Copper
remaining funds, 3.7 percent will Magnani also said he’s happy Beech Middle School..
cover principal and interest with
Voters approved the $164.7

To advertise in Yorktown News, call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 or email [email protected].

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Page 6 – Yorktown News Thursday, June 25, 2020

Planning Board approves renovation of vacant bank building

BY KATHERINE BORCHERT into a home improvement show- parking lot and storm-
STAFF WRITER
room for CST Kitchens and water improvements, as

Baths. e store will be moving well as improvements to

At its meeting on Monday, from its current location in the landscaping. ere are

June 8, the Planning Board ap- Roma Building located at 2020 no proposed changes to

proved plans for a renovation of Saw Mill River Road to the new the building footprint.

an empty bank on Commerce spot along Commerce Street. Building permits are

Street in the heart of town. e .34 acre site located at 1961 expected to be issued

e Ohio-based owner of the Commerce St. is expected to see shortly and construc-

lot submitted an application to facade improvements to the exist- tion is expected to take

convert the former M&T Bank ing building along with sidewalk, between six to nine

months.

BEDFORD GRAVEL Supervisor Matt
& LANDSCAPE SUPPLY Slater commended the
project as a positive
• Gravel • Topsoil • Mulches business move for the
• Sweet Peet • Unilock Pavers town.

• Sand • Stonedust “ is project dem-

onstrates a business
owner’s commitment
to our community and
con dence in our lo-
cal economy’s future,”

• Item #4 • Drainage Pipe Slater said. “ is PHOTO COURTESY OF THE TOWN OF YORKTOWN
• Flagstone • Fieldstone bank building has
• Belgian Block been empty for about Plans to convert the former M&T Bank into a home improvement showroom for
• Cobblestones • Wallstone three years and there CST Kitchens and Baths were recently approved by the town’s Planning Board.
are other properties
that have been empty

• Fire Pits • Stepping Stones • Soil/Fill for even longer. We are working vacancies which includes recon- ursday, May 14, once the COV-
relentlessly on nding solutions sidering zoning rules in about 10 ID-19 pandemic is over, it looks to
27 Norm Ave., Mt. Kisco (next to Kohl’s)
to the unsightly vacancies in our di erent business corridors that interested corporations from New
www.bedfordgravel.com community.” would allow for an expanded vari- York City who seek Westchester
ety of building uses. satellite o ces to set up shop in
914-241-3851 Yorktown has made a concerted Yorktown, which will help revital-
e ort to revitalize the town and e town also said at its Reboot ize town business operations.
resolve long-term retail and o ce Yorktown press conference on

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Thursday, June 25, 2020 Yorktown News – Page 7

Hope For Recovery TOWN OF YORKTOWN
Scholarship winners
REVISED SOLID WASTE COLLECTION SCHEDULE
Drug Crisis in Our Backyard 2020 awards FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 29-JULY 3

Drug Crisis in our Backyard • Carmel High School: Re- Lou Christiansen after the loss *NO COLLECTIONS ON FRIDAY, JULY 3*
IN OBSERVANCE OF INDEPENDENCE DAY
has announced the winners of becca Spears of their sons to a battle against
KITCHEN TRASH COLLECTIONS:
its Hope for Recovery Scholar- • Mahopac High School: heroin. ‘Monday & Thursday’ will be changed to:
MONDAY, JUNE 29 and WEDNESDAY, JULY 1
ship in memory of Justin Salo- Wuilmer Velasquez Drug Crisis in Our Backyard ‘Tuesday & Friday’ COLLECTION will be on:
TUESDAY, JUNE 30 and THURSDAY, JULY 2
mone and Erik Christiansen. • Yorktown: Kaelyn Palmisano promotes awareness of the ram- RECYCLING COLLECTIONS:
‘THURSDAY’ COLLECTION will be on
is program provides $500 e board of directors and the pant us of drugs in our communi- WEDNESDAY, JULY 1
‘FRIDAY’ COLLECTION will be on
scholarships to local seniors members of the organization ties, assists those at risk and their THURSDAY, JULY 2

who are interested in further send congratulations and well families, continues to implement *No changes for regular Monday & Tuesday collections
NOTE: Recyclables in Plastic Bags will not be collected!
study at a college or credential- wishes for continued success measures, including legislation,
* WEDNESDAY, JULY 1st, 7:30 – 2:30 ONLY*
ing agency in the eld of Social in all endeavors in the years to that holds accountable organiza-
E-WASTE DISPOSAL DAY:
Work, Mental Health and/or come. tions and medical institutions that
Bring your obsolete computer, TV, laptop,
substance use (addiction). e Drug Crisis in our Backyard perpetuate drug use through over- monitor, VCR, keyboard, cell phone, etc.

awardees were nominated ei- is a community-based non- prescription of opiates and other TEXTILE RECOVERY DAY:

ther by their guidance counselor pro t organization o ering drugs. Bring bags filled with unwanted clothing,
shoes, rags, towels, bed sheets, blankets, etc.
or the school’s scholarship com- education support for families e goal of the organization is
Refuse & Recycling Department
mittees. and individuals struggling with to expand the number of schools 2279 Crompond Road (behind Police/Court)

e 2020 award winners are: addiction. e organization was receiving awards in 2021. Questions?: (914) 245-4438 | www.Yorktownny.org/refuserecycling

• Brewster High School: Sar- founded in 2012 by Susan and For more information visit:

ah Durante Steve Salomone, and Carol and www.drugcrisisinourbackyard.org

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Page 8 – Yorktown News Thursday, June 25, 2020

Happily Ever After Songs of
America 2020

Afew months ago BRUCE
in this space, I THE BLOG
wrote, “Music
has a mercurial ability
to shape shift how we

hear it to complement BRUCE
APAR
a particular ... situation.”

(In My Room, In My

Ruminations, April 2,

2020.)

I then ran down a

playlist of old songs that suddenly imparted new mean-

Searching for the Sir Bedevere in each of us ings in the context of the pandemic that we only now are

getting paroled from, presumably for good behavior (thank

you, mask wearers everywhere).

As we head into the criti- “Really enjoyed your quarantine playlist article,”wrote
cal months of an important
election year I nd myself the beliefs, claims and positions we one reader, who then said how about “a summer/protest
bracing for the inevitable onslaught
MY are considering are rationally justi ed songs playlist?”
PERSPECTIVE and are supported by arguments which
conform to the principles of sound DEAREST READER
Any columnist cherishes readers -- you are, after all, our
of lies, exaggerations, unproven as- JAMES reasoning. In other words, we must ask
MARTORANO ourselves, is our premise based on veri- lifeblood -- and that particular reader holds a very special
sertions and my favorite, full blown place in our family’s heart. He’s our late son Harrison’s
boyhood pal Cody Kleinman, whom we cherish dearly.
conspiracy theories. What all these able evidence and does our conclusion
So, thanks for the idea, Codeman. is one’s for you, bud.
political tactics have in common is that ow logically from it? e second part While the mere phrase “songs of protest”conjures
political overrtones, demonstrations of de ance are not the
they obscure the truth and make our is important since just because things exclusive province of any one ideological faction. Protesters
can be right -- and they can be left.
job as voting citizens harder than it has to be. e political happen in succession doesn’t necessarily mean they have Just so you know where this particular playlist DJ is
coming from, let me o er this disclaimer: these choices are
operatives who engage in these activities are willing to tear a causal connection. For example, the sale of ice cream curated by a Baby Boomer who is not registered with a po-
litical party, and whose family and friends span the political
down a perceived enemy without regard to the truth or always ushers in an increase in crime however one doesn’t spectrum. I try to look at things from di erent angles. You
can look at this list any way you like -- or don’t like.
the deleterious e ect their e orts will have on the demo- cause the other but share only the arrival of warm weather. Ball of Confusion ( e Temptations) -- “Segregation,
determination, demonstration, integration, aggravation,
cratic process. eir motivations run the gamut including To begin the process of critical thinking we must be humiliation, obligation to our nation. Ball of confusion,
at’s what the world is today.”
hatred, prejudice, extreme partisanship, the desire to main- willing to consider if there are good reasons to hold the Border Song (Elton John) -- “Holy Moses, let us live in
peace, Let us strive to nd a way to make all hatred cease.
tain or obtain power, greed etc. e net result is always the beliefs or positions that we are presented with or already ere’s a man over there, What’s his color? I don’t care,
He’s my brother, let us live in peace.”
same; the denigration of the truth or at the very least the possess; the later often accompanied by a strong emo- Revolution ( e Beatles) -- “You say you want a revolu-
tion, Well, you know, We all want to change the world …
creation of the feeling that we can never know what is real. tional connection. Accomplishing this is no small task. It But when you talk about destruction, Don’t you know that
you can count me out.”
e struggle to discern the true from the false reminds requires a commitment to nding the truth even if that Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (Toby Keith) --
“Justice will be served and the battle will rage, is big dog
me of a scene very early in one of my favorite movies, means discarding beliefs we have held most of our lives. will ght when you rattle his cage … It’s the American way.”
What’s Going On (Marvin Gaye) -- “We don’t need to
Monty Python and the Holy Grail. A mob of villagers Our task as conscientious citizens is not unlike that of a escalate, You see war is not the answer, For only love can
conquer hate.”
approach Sir Bedevere (Terry Jones) in an extreme state jury when asked to render a verdict based upon the credible American Tune (Simon & Garfunkel) -- “I don’t know
a soul who’s not been battered,
of agitation. ey insist they have found a witch in their evidence or lack thereof. We need not make this any harder I don’t have a friend who feels at ease, I don’t know a
dream that’s not been shattered,
midst and ask his permission to burn her at the stake. Sir than posing the question that was raised in that old Wendy’s
SEE APAR PAGE 10
Bedevere asks,“how do you know she is a witch?” e commercial, Where’s the Beef? What we must demand

question causes consternation among the throng since is evidence based arguments not naked assertions. It’s not

they really hadn’t really considered the need for reasons. always as easy as it sounds, it requires e ort. When we hear

After a long pause one of the leaders shouts out,“she looks commentators make bold assertions and present outlandish

like one!”Of course that rationale is mitigated by the fact claims, we must be willing to utilize our own resources to

that the mob had given her a false nose and dressed her up judge their claims as merely partisan ramblings or actual fact.

to t their image of a witch. Sir Bedevere then proceeds I remember during my Fordham days when several

to instruct the unruly mob on the proper ways to come to of my classmates took over the administration build-

conclusions based on the principles of critical thinking. ing during a demonstration against the war in Vietnam.

Never in my lifetime has the need to think critically Seven were arrested and were required to appear in Bronx

been of more vital importance to all of us, individually and Criminal Court to face criminal charges. is was long

collectively, than it is today. Ironically, in an age when in- before the internet, cell phones, or anything that remotely

formation is more accessible than ever, we are bombarded resembles today’s instant information and communication

with misinformation, deception, and false assertions. Our universe. Yet even back then, conspiracy theories did oc-

job, as citizens, is to nd a way to separate the wheat from casionally appear. In fact, one such theory made its way to

the chafe, the truth from the lies. the Bronx District Attorney, Burton Roberts. e germ of

Being able to think critically is of such vital importance that bogus idea was that the Fordham protestors were part

in our lives both personally and collectively. What does it SEE MARTORANO PAGE 9
entail? Simply put, it is a matter of determining whether

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