Yorktown News 12.10.20

Vol. 9 No. 38 Visit TapIntoYorktown.net for the latest news. Thursday, December 10, 2020

Girls Scouts celebrate the ‘Tis the season
holiday season at the parade.
Holiday lights parade draws thousands
PHOTO: SARAH BUSSINGER

Late last month, the town an- their cars. hundreds of cars had already lined tendance that more than 2,000 trated. I get that,” Slater said. “We
nounced that its popular holiday ere was only one question: up at the Taconic State Parkway cars showed up. Slater said he saw tried our best to spread some holi-
lights parade—held every De- entrance to the park. e demand many out-of-state license plates. day cheer and instill some holiday
cember—would be reformatted Would anybody come? was so overwhelming that the nal spirit. Clearly, there was a demand
for these unusual times. Instead of As of Sunday morning, the day entrance time was extended a half- During and after the parade, for it. For anybody who didn’t get
driving down Commerce Street, hour to 7 p.m. some residents expressed frustra- in, we send our apologies, and just
the oats would be stationary in of the parade, Supervisor Matt tion over the wait time to enter the know we’re going to learn from
FDR Park. Residents would then Slater worried it might be a dud. “I’m speechless over the turn- park.Others even waited in line for this.”
be able to drive through the park out,” Slater said. “Just an over- close to an hour before being shut
and view them from the safety of “We didn’t know what to ex- whelming experience.” out. Turn to pages 16-17 for more
pect,”he said. photos of the parade.
It was estimated by those in at- “I would have been just as frus-
But by 4:30 p.m., a half-hour
before the scheduled start time,

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OBITUARIES 20 DECEMBER 10, 2020 A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO HALSTON MEDIA
OPINION 10 Somers resident Bob Ondrovic lights up his home for the season.

2
TRACKS

SPORTS 23
TOWN GREEN
4 SEE INSIDE:
WINTER GUIDE

Page 2 – Yorktown News Thursday, December 10, 2020

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Thursday, December 10, 2020 Yorktown News – Page 3

Christmas tree and cafés, catering and event planning, moving and trucking,
sales support new landscaping, and o ce jobs, among others. Residents have op-
portunities for vocational training and educational advance-
beginnings ment, in order to earn their high school equivalency degrees and
beyond. eir model allows people to nd and develop their own
BY JESSICA JAFET strengths, while being held accountable for their actions, rather than
CONTRIBUTING WRITER following a medical or therapeutic model to change behavior.
“One of the biggest things is to learn to care about each other
e spirit of the holiday season is one full of gratitude, compassion, and and take something that you know and help teach it to someone
hope. else,” Hill said. Hence the program’s motto: “Each-one-teach-one,”
which is known as the cornerstone of the foundation’s rehabilita-
At the Mohegan Lake tree lot on East Main Street (Route 6), these tion philosophy. “Once you are in the door, you’re responsible for
values guide those who sell trees, from anksgiving until Christ- the next person who comes in the door to help teach them the
mas, as they raise money for the Delancey Street Foundation—a na- things you’ve learned while you’ve been here.”
tionwide organization that has provided housing, employment,
and a new chance at life for thousands of ex-convicts, people In the organization’s words, the average resident “has been
with substance-use disorders, and homeless individuals. a hard-core drug and alcohol abuser, has been in prison, is
unskilled, functionally illiterate, and has a personal history
According to David Hill, an intake coordinator who is one
of about 15 residents at Delancey Street Foundation’s Brewster of violence and generations of poverty.” With a minimum
site, their sales team has developed a strong relationship over stay of two years, intense time and attention is given to
the years with customers in the Yorktown area, who appre- address the residents’ challenges—with the goal that
ciate the holiday cheer that pops up in their neighborhood
when the Christmas trees arrive for sale. each person will lead a crime-free,
drug-free life with decency and self-respect.
“People who used to go to our Mahopac lot are now “A lot of people who come here just get caught in
coming to our Mohegan Lake lot because they want to the cycle of going through rehab after rehab or in
support us,” Hill said. “ ey like the products we have, and out of prison,” Hill said. “We o er an opportu-
they like the energy of the guys working. ey go out nity to learn how to change that cycle.”
of their way to come support us.” Purchasing a Christmas tree or other items
from the lot supports the foundation’s expens-
Established in San Fransisco in 1971, and now es—from room and board, to food, clothing,
with ve additional locations around the country, and programs, with all proceeds going directly
the foundation was formed around the core be- to take care of these needs.
lief that, through purposeful work, skill-building, With the holiday season underway,
and shared living, reform is possible for those most would agree that there is no better
who have hit rock bottom. gift than to help others. Hill encourages
a visit to the Delancey Street Holiday
Taking no funding from the government, Trees Mohegan Lake, to share in the
the self-supporting communities are sus- joy and promise of a brighter future.
tained through various businesses ven- “All money that is earned is going
tures that include holiday tree sales, deco- to an organization that is helping
rated wreaths, Christmas decor, as well people to turn their lives around—
as through enterprises like restaurants people who have hit rock bottom,
but really want to make a change
The Delancey Street and did not have a way to do it
Foundation sells Christmas otherwise.”
trees on Route 6 in
Mohegan Lake. ‘All money that is earned is going to an
organization that is helping people to
PHOTO: BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER turn their lives around—people who have
hit rock bottom, but really want to make
a change and did not have a way to do it

otherwise.’

–David Hill
Delancey Street Foundation

Page 4 – Yorktown News TOWN GREEN Thursday, December 10, 2020

The Staff COVID Counter • ursday, Dec. 17, Zoning Chanukha Parade E-Waste, Textiles
Board of Appeals, 6:30 p.m. and Menorah and Car Tires
EDITORIAL TEAM • Active: 230 Lighting Drop-off Day
BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER • Last Week: 159 Visit yorktownny.org for agen-
EDITOR: 914-302-5628 • High: 230 (Dec. 7) da information or to watch/par- e Chabad of Yorktown will Residents can drop o e-waste,
[email protected] • Low: 6 (Aug. 13) ticipate. host a Chanukah Car Parade bags of textiles, and car tires ($5
BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER • Total: 1,396 on ursday, Dec. 10, the rst per tire fee) to the Refuse and
SPORTS EDITOR: 914-302-5628 According to information pro- Tree Lighting night of Chanukah. Recycling Department (2279
[email protected] vided by Westchester County Crompond Road) between 7:30
e Christmas tree lighting e parade will gather at a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Wednesday,
ADVERTISING TEAM Government will take place at 7 p.m. Satur- the Chabad Center (2629 Old Dec. 16 (weather permitting).
PAUL FORHAN at Work day, Dec. 12. e lighting will be Yorktown Road) at 5:20 p.m.,
broadcast live on Facebook. You and will begin the car parade E-WASTE: Home computers,
(914) 806-3951 • Tuesday, Dec. 15, Town do not need to log in to Facebook at 5:45, culminating at the Jack monitors, keyboards, laptops and
[email protected] Board, 7:30 p.m. to watch. DeVito Veterans Memorial tablets,printers,televisions,fax ma-
Field for the public Menorah chines, cellphones
BRUCE HELLER • Wednesday, Dec. 16, Coali- Drop o homemade orna- lighting at 6.
(914) 486-7608 tion on Community Safety & ments to the Parks and Recre- TEXTILES: Clothing, coats,
[email protected] Engagement, 6:30 p.m. ation Department o ce (176 For more information, visit socks, shoes, sneakers, boots, hats,
Granite Springs Road) by Dec. ChabadYorktown.com or call gloves, rags, towels, sheets, blankets,
LISA KAIN • Wednesday, Dec. 16, Conser- 10 to be hung on the town tree. 914-962-1111. bedspreads, tablecloths, curtains
(201) 317-1139 vation Board, 7:30 p.m.
[email protected]
CORINNE STANTON HHHooollliididdaaayyyOOOrrrdddeeerrrsss
(914) 760-7009
[email protected] DWoernWedceeoeDeaWomurdnaLercsgtreebtdcaPnlenooteoeltieaoteucemAgnrurWbhnkewrc&isroget2eebdiawunSlnnfo9rpetlthupottibaeumgeltgratnohahlewrakairolvm2acgedi.kbisueWrenfk9rsntkWiueeordtiebaggtnegeenonahlifpakgbexyCtlomfuguhs.slbioysthtfrhotlasnokWrfueeeaoslbooDecagelecnraavrcliapreexektidasuhashsdcsnlvdratkopttaeoaoioraideasoelabmfeuclayslarytvuriiacieyteissdfbdbtoalsindpnvurolaeDaplaruigeideurlylavdbdrleyslscaemaraec2ioywegsircfbtaoniria0pfarruaeelaDsilutrugsttlaentme,nlgdhlteh,lholscbeusyligoewseiburlocaoaertoarerromaefnerihiotpslrtmconnrgopdqta,ewhloeafyrvgiguels2sabuNeriseatqetoag0mstdeesarhbnsuielitcowrpmefssiatsexweheaattfeil2ntsatupytYerleecqraat0idepltsdeaanabmntuainmtlarymassslsueahcsadedorpeitepstesmc’atlseresaatoieapewNeytnebcttincousemtolidayaylewuei,asararduoailtwodcesmcltltoawrrlutueoaowsNeebwnyw.,hrYteertrdayewyesdesob.acmeailhwosodutlsnLattoanwchieiuoosutertweddntaa.,Ynlorer’etataaysittd.chepdedeyhsnAnoyaumoLaerfrcoattouoeedotrr&eioafieunypelowdrnr’tansitnpdrdabeSddegewonAnueoerfesnrr.sarmoseerwdsr&sjiedPaptsydepodvn.benalpnaedm.iSeadegdeatoccrksreadosrrl.sscorekmfiseeeorsejedPaamoapbndvlwedduynatyner.iaueas..cpd.cotrkbetdfrrdookCeasoWoueyeelorgmbhnbodyerbdu.Douyeure.dduaep.hirotterdtsCrshdosdccoWujopgtlfo.aevagheymeulrlbou.mteieavr.rtceledahr.strioelCcbrhs.dsaCopmeife.tahneydulolmrh.iavrrgrld2.ebide.lcasca9Ceeystktyrdmhhs.ebacysk

JAY GUSSAK T••B•••• SECSFTeithoryelaB••••••eaB••••••epefncltCSTFSERedlCFTESSeRk(MithoryetihooiyreReAolalaaenepefeaepudeifnounclgtgnclRtnldRkanRdl(RknPM(RdoMiRsgeAodoiReAoeontnudiiouuudpiRngougnbRnggnannpnPanosoRdnPsg(dRRdoeesgdatPa)oeiutoprRnisbRusplRnbRpataotFsop(RossoeiBa(iR(Pa)entaolrPa)seSsleorsatsalteiFotataltsFiBfi(rvnsMtiBli(eSenetlMeSeioeirtlgeioftrvalMTnfervMrMioeiripMgnirnaT)gnaarTinoitprineonip)dnan)t)aetde)d) ••L••• aFWLLB•L••••eroumhegL•••••aitLBWFLnonteorubeaomFLWBLhlcegiotreforehuonmntfhf(beeogLiletlBcinoAonterLfadheabeoflf(acmLledBbomrefiAhCmLadfeayf(bLlearLBmdbmiAebLaoCLmdeea(yrbamarLwgdbmP(ebCmoLimePy(lnborrLcawgaP(lebbofLiemaaPio(lnorncawgaiLP(lfbnfniamaioaPlnooLnciLamfl)onnbarfaaaiooLrmnbmLi)SofarnnaSerbmoLbSme)aoarSebasrmbeaSosasSoebnoseaneonasedneosd)edon)d)ne)edd)) ••SS••eLCeaoLCraao•S•brfbabsfoeCLbtsoaCoeortCoeraabdfrabkdsoTkteTaCoeesairasdli.slkT.sBe•aB•asiaSlc.SscahchBl•raarailimScamSahapSplrlaaai••lmdSaC.adCpalS.aa•lleSadaaemCm.faaoSafalooerraoadiimfdoSaSoaraldialadSdalad
(914) 299-4541 •••C•C••hBSSBhtaSSBBuaeulta•C••kautefmuftlkteffehmfBSBSteeodSferatuaededoSnurplkdCStfnmfptFCSae(lefeFiaeal(uLeodScrlaimuLdelcclnipmeeClScmeiaesFtmea(le)astiao)uL(olclo(oml$ntelcfi$netfime1aSsit1CeS)2Coeo2a(olos.als$ntp.9flep9ei1e9SeC9e(r2(orCaDsC.Dlop9roezrzrae9ra))(brbWWCDmmoraazrearer)abmamWtmt))aeramt)
[email protected] •C••••VueVRORLtaeooasoV•••••a••C•V••icslanrlokueseLRRCVOLVRORftDtaoeoaueooaooBsoas(aofioasctlairfosclanPlnVokrlVuskoossSlefteofbcrtaDoooBpaooBao(fli(ruffDoilrPenoflPeVVcV(VuSols(dSelcCeaoVeepbcCuaopaiaiehaaroeilnbhnlilaenllod(eSlio((lVoep(ideCCVopnSCeraiCehhrsfihanhsoSa)hoolaSiooerloppRneSpnaSpsShakessef)htsoaogs)fduaooRn)run)fRnrnkefielSkaeegsdnStrgs)udu)tg)uul)fafiflfarnirngg HOHLAI&ODSLAPhIoaYDnrkkAHSyYtoOourHUefoR&Or SsFUhi:noRepSpF:ionogds. ••Z••ZuLSucoSLpaoc•Z•bplapbsluLSlpotsleeoctoppeaerbpdsrlpsd•sl•eot•ee•eSpCrSPhdsCPhl•rael•eriaemsmiSmsmCPchspclsepraeei•msm•cCspCeaa•llaamCmaaalrariimari
JENNIFER CONNELLY ·••••P(•PSoFBBClparorrr·e•P••••i•ooi•(••P•nknnsP(wceoSBCFBSohBBCFaPclolnrporrparrcororlererHooaiehinooikslnonksnniwciseaSscwnehafachaclmeRnolconLnePcooeHaahrHoslhdooslsrio(basiiaSfsoarPnfmRaPeSLmeRknPnlLnerPaoaaRSdaoeooa(db(osiit(brdoPsPinnseuPorPknPoe)alclkrfnalRSoairnsfoa(RSuieetoitro(ePnisutnddotPnsduacltSf)acoaolisf)ofLeoaueisfitrruoanediLttrnStsdtioSootnSLoeotioLreoaunnLRroasiLfoSenoRofsiotSdienounanotiR)dunsnfeaRofR)tdfeesoaRfo)dtdesaoa))dtssa)ttst •••H•SS•••H•S•S••••ppCLFMGSoppaahSMGMCFLaeeiomufrrahaS•••S•••HpraeeicctmuargmfrrirpocciipptrrmBerMCGSFLgmeiooiiaaniamrBehaaeamaeeinFpaanmua&ysfamrrsrpllFrccpat&’syrmgskstllireP•aorii’SrmBHeksteye•PaesalaanWSaHmydaemDashtFlWpm&ysdDos•ahstIllthraue’ostItk-sthteP•auale•oeltMcS-Htyle•elieolsKclSrWklmedliDaKSPhtdrekemlAssiosPdaemIAstharsaueilanta•C-rltlln•et•aoelus•Cclte•eeuhlsi-KyteSir•klhCd-yiQppPdecmCiAsdQppsiciahcVaarehlNcunTaaakeC•NuelT•eosikusesuatesidseuhaet-yeiddeeCtiedroQppniscriolcnksklAhccssekAaaeNsuseTeake&eees&is•uaPs•dyePestey•SiSrolsnslsRlcRakAasFGseiGietatae&ittitt•ilbPsbyefeifeiSttblsrbreRteasCtGsCiiissotattaattissbefirrtbrddesCissstasrds
(917) 446-7757 ••HSSapmm•H•••HiorSSakSSasapmlmpemmiHdiororakasakHslmeleaHdHdsmaHa(HmsmHaa(smasmBlso(vsHe(n(BseaBolooovnrenresWeBoooohrrnroBeWlBoeloneh)sneoslele)else)ss)s) We wish our customers a very ••MBa•orliMongaanrreains•ear•MaPe•aestMt•oeaV•toC•dlkaVamod•(kWFaihl•eitteFtoiolertRtoed)
[email protected] joyful holiday season! Best wishes •DBoe•lsosBgeonrleotssgen•esPee•stoPe•stCola•mCl(aWmhi(tWe hoirteRoedr)Red)
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[email protected] New Year. God Bless America.
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Thursday, December 10, 2020 TOWN GREEN Yorktown News – Page 5

Town budget debated at public hearing

Preliminary plan slashes spending, raises salaries

BY BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER get, including members of the salaries will rise by 1.75 percent tration’s commitment to make “I told each department head
EDITOR previous administration, argued next year, followed by three years department head salaries more that if they wanted to continue
that raising taxes would actually of 2.5 percent pay bumps. competitive. on with their three-year plan,
ink of municipal budgeting be the more scally responsible they had to nd it within their
like a triangle. In the three cor- thing to do. “We built an increase [into the “If you look at the history of own budget,” Slater said.
ners are 1) keeping employees budget],” Gilbert said, referring our department heads, I think it’s
happy and raising their salaries, “I wonder how the board can to the salary increases. “It doesn’t pretty clear that they have fallen To counteract the full-time
2) cutting spending to keep taxes justify decreasing the tax rate make sense that you can have a behind, quite frankly, and I think salary increases and other expen-
when we know the town needs minus in terms of taxes.” it’s important that we are com- ditures, budget lines for part-time
at, and 3) maintaining or im- millions of dollars of capital im- petitive with other towns,” Slater salaries (-$60,525) and equip-
proving services. provements,” said former town Unelected heads of town de- said in an interview. “I think it’s ment (-$786,750) are among
supervisor Ilan Gilbert, Slater’s partments are not union mem- important that we keep our tal- those being reduced townwide.
ough the Rolling Stones predecessor in o ce. bers, but are nonetheless slated ented sta and talented depart-
would argue “you can’t always get to receive raises. Some would ment heads.” Slater said that services will
what you want,” Town Supervi- RISING SALARIES receive 2.5 percent pay bumps, not decline as a result.
sor Matt Slater disagrees. Gilbert pointed to the in ex- in line with other employees in Gilbert con rmed that his
their departments; however, nine administration initiated a three- “We felt that we can honor
Last month, the Yorktown ibility of the town’s $60 million are scheduled to receive raises of year plan to make the salaries these commitments without hav-
Town Board crafted a prelimi- in expenditures, about 60 percent between 4 and 8 percent: assessor more competitive. Had he been ing an adverse impact on taxpay-
nary budget that cuts spending of which are spent on salaries and (8 percent, to $127,648); build- in o ce this year, he said, he ers,” he said.
but raises salaries for nearly all bene ts. Because most of these ing inspector (6.5 percent, to might have stretched it to a four-
town employees. Achieving two employees are union members, $130,201); comptroller (6.5 per- year plan. Elected o cials, on the other
corners of the triangle doesn’t annual salary increases are all but cent, to $133,397); tax receiver hand, are not slated to receive
mean the third has to be sacri- guaranteed. (6 percent, to 103,598); nutrition “I appreciate [Slater] honoring any raises in 2021. Salaries for
director (5.5 percent, to $95,400); my commitment, but I may have the supervisor ($121,328) and
ced, the supervisor told York- In fact, earlier this year, the section 8 director (5.5 percent, been more exible based upon town council members ($19,575)
town News. town reached agreements on to $105,000); police chief (5.2 the economy and the current have remained the same since
new ve-year deals with its two percent, to $182,942); water su- economic conditions,” Gilbert 2015. e highway superinten-
“Our services will stay exactly largest unions: the Civil Service perintendent (5.1 percent, to told Yorktown News. dent ($126,181) and town clerk
where they are,” Slater said. Employees Association and the $131,325); and planning director ($102,680) both received 4 per-
Police Benevolent Association, (4.4 percent, to $141,000). Slater said the raises above 2.5 cent raises in 2020. e two town
Slater, in introducing the bud- which represent hundreds of percent were not in his tenta- justices ($33,126) received 2.1
get at a public hearing on Tues- town employees. Starting next When it comes to the raises, tive budget, but were added to percent pay increases in 2019.
day, Dec. 1, touted a half-percent year, all CSEA employees will see Slater said, his administration is the preliminary budget follow-
tax decrease for all homeowners, annual raises of 2.5 percent. PBA honoring the previous adminis- ing discussions with department “ e elected o cials, in this
including those with municipal heads and Town Board members.
sewer and water. However, for- SEE BUDGET PAGE 8
ward-looking critics of the bud-

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Page 6 – Yorktown News Thursday, December 10, 2020

Over-Tippers Club seeks
new members

Resident launches online fundraiser
to bene t local restaurants

BY BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER

EDITOR selves in harm’s way to feed us,”Mattone said.

When it comes to being altruistic, Mattone

Small businesses everywhere have strug- said,a lot of people talk a good game but don’t

gled to survive the pandemic. But not many necessarily back it up,which is why he stepped

industries have taken it on the chin quite like into action. He had an idea about how he

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will then order from one of the town’s many ful that his club won’t be so exclusive.

eateries, and when he goes to pick up his food, “If people want to donate, that’s awesome,”

he surprises the sta with a large tip. Last Mattone said. “Any bit that someone can give

month,$140 went to workers at the Gramercy. right now will be appreciated.”

“When you look at Yorktown, a lot of our In addition to donations, Mattone is putting

businesses are food-based, and a lot of people out a call for volunteers so that he might be

that work in town work for the restaurants,” able to increase the frequency of his donations.

Mattone said. “It’s just a group that needs “If there are restaurants that want to be a

some extra help.” part of it, just keep doing what you’re doing

Little Sorrento was the next recipient, receiv- and I’m sure we’ll get to you,” Mattone said.

ing $90 last week. Going forward, Mattone said “I hope to do this for a while. Maybe this can

he wants to choose a diversity of restaurants lo- last beyond the pandemic.”

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“ ey work really hard. ey’re putting them- searching “Yorktown NY ‘Over-tippers’Club.”

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Come Home for Christmas Schedule 2020

CONFESSION SCHEDULE CHRISTMAS MASSES MASSES FOR December 12 and 13
December 19 and 20
Monday, December 21: No reservations needed and
Archdiocesan Day for Confessions Thursday, Dec. 24 – Christmas Eve
Main Church: 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM, 7:30 PM MASSES FOR FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY
4:00 – 8:00 PM December 26 and 27
All parishes of the Archdiocese will have Stone Church: 5:00 PM Saturday:
Mass at 11:00 PM – Main Church Main Church 5:15 PM
Confessions available Note 11:00 PM start to Mass at Night on Christmas Eve Sunday:
Saturday, December 19: Friday, Dec. 25 – Christmas Day Main Church

3:00 -5:00 PM Main Church: 7:45, 9:15, 11:00 AM, 12:30 PM and 5:00 PM
Tuesday, December 22: 7:45, 9:15, 11:00 AM and 12:30 PM Stone Church - 9:45 AM
No 5:00 PM Mass Christmas Day
6:00 - 7:00 PM No Masses in the Stone Church on December 25th NEW YEAR’S DAY MASSES
Wednesday, December 23: Seating limited due to COVID restrictions. Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

Noon - 1:00 PM – NO TICKETS – January 1, 2021
Family Education Lobby ALL MASSES LIVESTREAMED TO is not a Holy day of Obligation this year
Follow signs in parking lot for additional location LOWER MAIN CHURCH AND GYM
Thursday, December 31:
No Confessions on Christmas Eve except 5:00 PM in Stone Church Main Church Vigil Mass: 5:15 PM
Holy Communion offered in all locations
Friday, January 1, 2021:
Main Church: 9:15, 11:00 AM and 12:30 PM

No 7:45 AM and No 5:00 PM Mass
No Masses in the Stone Church January 1st

OBLIGATION TO ATTEND MASS IS SUSPENDED DUE TO THE PANDEMIC / MASKS REQUIRED

Thursday, December 10, 2020 Yorktown News – Page 7

YHS senior learns work Give an EXPERIENCE this holiday season
skills at Pow! Burger and transform a life.

BY BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER GIVE THE GIFT OF YOGA.
EDITOR
Yoga Heights offers a wide variety of class styles to fit your needs.
Michael Nuccio, meaning no o ense to There is a class for everyone at all age levels and all body types —
his current employer, is already looking for-
ward to his next job. flexibility is NOT a requirement!

Earlier this year, the Yorktown High Classes are offered in the studio on Commerce St
School senior, who has Down syndrome, got (across from Starbucks) and on Zoom.
a job at Pow! Burger in the Triangle Center,
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working. He talks about his next job. e job Vinyasa (Levels 1-3) Prenatal Yoga
did a lot for his self-esteem.” Dave Rully, owner of Pow! Burger, with his Mommy & Me
employee, Michael Nuccio, who has Down Hatha Kids Yoga (4-17)
Michael especially enjoys telling the story syndrome Yoga for Fitness Yoga for Seniors
of how he got the job. Restorative Yoga

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Dave Rully, the restaurant’s owner, said a very personable kid.”
Michael started as a loyal customer and
then became involved through a work- Rully said Michael has many qualities a
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Page 8 – Yorktown News Thursday, December 10, 2020

BUDGET With this budget,Stewart Glass, pointing to a solar carport agree- year in 2020 at the beginning of cent from the $742 million it had
a former executive assistant to Gil- ment at Granite Knolls Sports November than we did in all of expected in 2020.
FROM PAGE 5

bert during his term, said the town Complex that is expected to gen- 2019,” said Ken Rundle, superin- Town Comptroller Pat Capo-

particular case, wanted to lead is delaying much-needed infra- erate $100,000 in revenue for the tendent of the water department. rale, however, said Yorktown’s

by example,” Slater said. “No one structure upgrades, particularly town every year. “I think it’s a re- ough increased water usage 2020 sales tax projections were

asked for [a raise]; it was never a when it comes to water projects. sponsible budget. I think it takes will ultimately result in higher resi- budgeted conservatively.

topic of conversation.” “If we don’t do something now, care of some of our more immedi- dential water bills and more rev- “We feel at this point we will

we’re going to be at a point in the ate needs. I don’t think it puts us in enue for the town, inaccurate read- hit that, if not exceed it,”Caporale

PLANNING FORTHE FUTURE future where it’s going to be very, a compromising position.” ers mean the town could be netting said of the 2020 sales tax revenue.

At the public hearing, Susan very expensive and we’re going to less money than it should. “So, that’s why we budgeted the

Siegel, a former town supervi- be hit with the cost all at once,” WATER IS EXPENSIVE “If people are using more water, same amount for next year.”

sor (2010-11) and councilwoman Glass said. e budget hearing also in- if we had accurate water meters, Despite the spirited debate

(2013-14), said residents might be Slater, in response, noted that cluded a larger conversation about we’d be able to charge them the about Yorktown’s nancial plan-

willing to pay slightly more in taxes the town has budgeted $600,000 the state of the water department. correct amount,” Slater said. “It is ning, several board members ap-

if it meant better services. for cement relining in this year’s A project to upgrade all residential the foundation to making sure that plauded the work done by the

“Do you really think that home- budget. water meters, started years ago, was people pay for the water that they nance department. Resident Jay

owners would object to paying $5 e supervisor, in an interview, called a “perpetual black hole” by are using.” Kopstein called it “a good budget

more on their tax bill if they can said he understands the argument the supervisor. Rundle, who called this year’s in bad times.”

get better roads to drive on?”Siegel about long-term planning and “Currently you have 4,800 me- budget a “step in the right direc- e town supervisor said his

asked. capital improvements, but doesn’t ters that need to be replaced and, tion” toward making necessary in- preliminary budget was ready to

If 2020 proved anything, Siegel necessarily agree that raising taxes on the schedule we’re at, you’re do- frastructure improvements, agreed go in August—right before the

said, it’s that municipal expendi- is always the best course of action. ing 200 a year,” Slater said. “At the with the need for upgraded water state “clawed back” $420,000 in

tures are rigid while revenue sourc- e town has other options, like current rate we’re going, it’s going meters. aid.

es are more volatile and dependent bonding, when it comes to major to take us 24 years to replace the “ at’s really the cash register “ is caused us to go through

on the state of the economy. Since expenditures. 4,800 meters when they have a 20- for the district, so that needs to be line by line to cover the losses

2012, New York State has placed “We made important strategic year lifespan. It makes absolutely accurate,”he said. without passing on the cost to lo-

yearly limits on how much funds decisions to hold the line on taxes,” no sense. It’s bad money. It’s a bad cal taxpayers,” Slater said.

municipalities can raise through Slater said.“We took a hard line on investment.” ‘A GOOD BUDGET IN BAD Among the town’s losses in

property taxes. e cap is based on spending. We tightened the belt Slater said the new water meters TIMES’ state aid was a $120,000 hit to

the previous year’s tax levy, Siegel considerably. I think responsible are essential to accurately measur- Mark Lieberman, a Yorktown road paving. In response, the town

said, meaning Yorktown would be governments are doing this.” ing how much water each resident resident, was among the speakers budgeted an additional $50,000 in

doing itself a disservice by lowering In di cult economic times, is using, which has become even who called into the question the this area, Slater said.

it in 2021. Slater said, municipalities have more important in 2020 with more town’s projected sales tax revenue. After about 90 minutes of lis-

“If you want to keep the town’s more options than taxing their way residents working from home. At e town has budgeted slightly tening to comments from resi-

options open for 2022 and beyond, out of trouble. e town already the meeting, after the budget hear- more than $6 million for 2021, dents, the Town Board voted to

it’s in the town’s long-term interest has an “a ordability issue” when it ing concluded, the Town Board which is at from the prior year. adjourn the hearing. Board mem-

to maximize its use of the allowed comes to property taxes, he said. approved an $850,000 budget Westchester County, on the other bers will meet and discuss any

tax levy,not to reduce it as this bud- “You can also nd creative ways transfer to purchase more water. hand, has budgeted for a $47 mil- potential changes to the budget

get does,”she said. to generate revenue,” Slater said, “We purchased more water this lion sales tax decrease, down 6 per- before voting to adopt.

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Page 10 – Yorktown News Thursday, December 10, 2020

Happy humbug: e rst question
e one and only Scrooge
MY know what is true? To answer that we
BRUCE Brill points out in his program notes). PERSPECTIVE must look to three major truth tests:
THE BLOG For added measure, Mr. Spadaccino
JAMES 1) Philosopher Bertrand Russell is
BRUCE takes on not only Ebenezer but 24 other MARTORANO credited with developing the correspon-
APAR Dickensian characters. dence test, although I suspect philoso-
In the last ve years, it has become phers as far back as ales contributed.
ere e ectively are two shows in one increasingly clear that we live in a
playing at the cabaret-style Barn (which world where people passionately is test, simply put, requires us to check
is about the coolest intimate theater cling to fundamentally di erent views a subjective mental concept against a real
space around). of what the truth is. When I ask myself object. If the concept “corresponds to” the
how that could be, my mind wanders real object, then the concept is consid-
Picture an unapologetic misan- GOLDEN RULE back to a chilly but bright Wednesday ered to be true. So, if I tell you that there
thrope who is mad at the world, One show is the Dickens parable, morning in May 1971. will be a full moon tonight, and you are
isn’t into empathy, and never met a able to view the night sky and see a very
man he didn’t berate. At Christmastime, teaching us it’s never too late to mend On that day, I found myself gingerly full moon, then you can accept my state-
the season of spreading cheer, he’s none our ways; it takes no more e ort to be crossing Fordham’s stunningly land- ment as true. You have personally estab-
too happily spreading jeers. kind than to be cruel, to live the Golden scaped Rose Hill campus and entering lished to your satisfaction that the mental
Rule. the o ce of my graduate school advisor concept of the full moon and the moon
at might bring to mind a contem- and famous philosopher in his own right, that is in our sky tonight is one and the
porary gure or three, but, for our pur- e other show we’re treated to is Mr. Father Norris Clarke. After rather brief same. To satisfy this test you need two
poses, it describes a character who came Spadaccino single-handedly inhabiting a salutations, the renowned author and things: a) a subjective mental concept
to life 177 years ago. sizable cast of characters, segueing from teacher led me to an empty classroom at and b) a real life event during which the
one to the next smoothly, advancing the Fordham’s famed Keating Hall so that mental concept can be veri ed or refuted.
It was on Dec. 19, 1843, that the pub- plot with a purposeful pace. I could take my master’s exam in phi- For me, this is the primary and most reli-
lication of Charles Dickens’s losophy. I wasn’t nervous, partly because able test of what is or is not true.
ere is his technical achievement, to I had already decided to change my
“A Christmas Carol” introduced be sure, of memorizing 90 minutes of life’s direction and enter Fordham Law 2) Philosopher Benjamin Spinoza is
Ebenezer Scrooge as the archetype of a dialogue-as-monologue, a formidable School that fall. Sporting shoulder length credited with popularizing our second
pointedly petty and penurious person. feat of painstaking preparation and focus. hair and an “I can gure out anything” truth check method: the coherence
attitude, I can only imagine what Father test. For him, a fact-claim is true if it
His infamous bile is on full display at But there’s also the entertaining Clarke thought of me as he placed a set harmonizes (coheres) with facts already
Ridge eld eater Barn, where Patrick technique of one actor creating a conver- of questions on my desk. accepted as true. So, if I believe, based on
Spadaccino is regaling audiences with his sation of rapid- re repartee between two a lifetime of observations, that the dead
one-man stage adaptation of the Dickens or more characters. e rst question was right up my stay dead, and you tell me that Napoleon
novella. (Details follow below on tickets philosophical wheelhouse: “Please state is alive, I will (at least without substantial
to see in-person or streaming perfor- When the ghost of Scrooge’s deceased the various epistemological methodolo- evidence to the contrary) disbelieve you.
mances.) partner, Jacob Marley, shows up to ap- gies and give examples.” What I couldn’t
prise him of the three visitations coming possibly appreciate at the time was that is test is applicable to large areas of
e well-known twist to this time- his way, if you close your eyes, Mr. Spad- the answer to this question could help knowledge that are not accessible to per-
less tale of villainy is that, in the end, dacino would have you believing there me understand not just abstract philo- sonal observation. History and current
Scrooge’s petulance is alchemized into were two actors on stage. It’s a lot of fun sophical issues but more importantly the a airs reported from around the world
penitence and goodness. It’s as if Dickens to watch—and hear. radical divisions that would plague future are two obvious examples of fact claims
foretold what later would become the societies as we all continue humankind’s we may accept as true based upon its
obligatory happy “Hollywood ending.” CREATIVE TEAM perennial search for the truth. With your coherence with previously held beliefs.
Mr. Spaddacino has a lot of technical indulgence, I would like to share my
BREAKING BAD BEHAVIOR answer adding relevant insights I have e danger here is that this method of
Scrooge’s guilt complex conjures ap- and creative support to help him bring stumbled upon over the proceeding half system building can be faulty if the initial
alive this Dickens holiday evergreen. century. So as best I can remember, here set of beliefs is false. So, for example, in
paritions of past, present, and future who is the answer I gave: today’s world of vast conspiracy theories,
deliver his comeuppance ... and, in a Dis- e atmospheric music is composed a believer may discover that the new-
neyesque coda, they all live happily ever by Nick Bicat, who scored the 1984 lm Everything we know originates from est spurious claim ts into their belief
after. But not before Dickens dispenses version starring George C. Scott. It is four sources. e rst is obviously our system quite nicely. However, that doesn’t
some strong doses of morality—through used throughout here to great e ect, as senses. e second and third are reason make either their prior assumptions or
sympathetic characters like Bob Cratchit are the imaginative sound e ects de- and intuition, which are derivative in that the present fallacy true. Besides conspira-
and disabled Tiny Tim—that chasten his signed by stage manager Matt Austin. they rely upon data that has already been cy theories, religions present entire belief
anti-hero even as they remind the rest of Film design (virtual) is by Katherine Ray. supplied to our minds. e fourth source, systems which interpret and compress
us that bad behavior is both unacceptable authority, relies on hearsay or testimony the entire range of our past and present
and changeable. Scrooge’s period wardrobe is colorful from other sources outside of ourselves, experiences into their own distinctive
and authentic (Renee Purdy, in partner- which we trust. Given all this imputed vision of reality. Sometimes their “expla-
Actors agree that the two greatest ship with the Warner eater), with data, the real epistemic question that all nations” contradict reason or even each
roles in the canon are Shakespeare’s King some selective costume changes on stage of us face in our daily lives is how do we other. Since we can’t employ our senses
Lear and Arthur Miller’s Willy Loman. that are a seamless part of the show’s to support or deny these claims, we are
In his own inimitable way, Scrooge also totally left to our own devices as to what
is catnip for thespians. Why else would ow. level of legitimacy to a ord them.
everyone from Lionel Barrymore to Jim e simple set is as serviceable as it is
Carrey essay the role (as director Scott R. SEE MARTORANO 11
austere, and the lighting (Matt Pagliaro)
is appropriate to the generally gothic
mood that has been created by director
(and set designer) Scott R. Brill, who

SEE APAR PAGE 15

BRETT FREEMAN, PUBLISHER BAILEY COURT, 334 ROUTE 202, UNIT C1S Letters to the editor and op-ed submissions may be edited. The views
BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER, 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
[email protected] number and address for verification. Not all letters and op-eds will

necessarily be published. Letters and op-eds which cannot be verified or
are anonymous will not be published. Please send your submissions to
the editor by e-mail at [email protected].
For more information, call the editor at 914-302-5628.

Thursday, December 10, 2020 OPINION Yorktown News – Page 11

MARTORANO ourselves in a belief system, the ts nicely into your world view. the truth.” infectious love of learning as
veracity of new “facts” which One of my heroes, the profound My beloved professor, test exempli ed by the thoughtful
FROM PAGE 10 cohere to its general principles thinker, Peter Abelard, said it questions he presented me on
are seldom challenged. best: “It is by doubting that giver, mentor and friend, Father that brisk May morning con-
3) e third most prevalent we come to investigate, and by Norris Clarke, passed away at tinue to inspire and guide me
truth test is credited both to As for me, after my master’s investigating that we recognize age 93 in June of 2008. As this almost half a century later.
philosophers, Charles Peirce and exam, I entered Fordham Law essay attests, his wisdom and
William James. e former had and subsequently the legal pro-
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Page 12 – Yorktown News OPINION Thursday, December 10, 2020

LETTERS

ank you, Yorktown for myself rather than to have others speak in my place. tionable items should exist. Other towns have formed
While some might look at my comments and think racial justice task forces and have sent surveys out to
To the editor, their communities to get feedback. We should want
e article Yorktown News did (“Diaper drive raises they are directed at our supervisor or at our police to get feedback and we should want to know what our
department, they are not. My comments were directed community members experience.
critical need,” Nov. 19) raised tons of awareness for our at the coalition and I was asking them, as they deliber-
diaper drive at Genesis Jewelers. ate on possible reforms, to remember that race is at As a taxpayer, I have the right to expect more from
the foundation of all of the work that we as a town are our public servants and I am within my rights to hold
We want to give a HUGE thank you to everyone doing. I was asking them to speak amongst themselves their feet to the re regarding the service that they
who donated. ere were so many donations that came about issues of race. provide to our community. I am also within my rights
from Yorktown residents, local business owners, and the to ask questions and demand direct answers.
Yorktown Chamber of Commerce. Let’s not forget why EO203 came to pass. It was
written as a response to the murder of George Floyd. And my next question is: When will Yorktown cre-
WHUD donated radio ads, the Examiner News And the most outrageous part of the George Floyd ate and convene a task force dedicated to racial justice
provided print ads in all of their papers, Yorktown incident was that he was not the rst. ere have been and equality?
Chamber of Commerce put the info on the LED sign scores of public cases and hundreds, possibly thou-
in the center of town, tons of shares on social media, sands, of silent cases. Unfortunately, slavery is soaked Daks Armstrong
and of course—word of mouth. into the fabric of our country and there is not a town Yorktown Heights
in America una ected by bigotry and discrimination,
So far, we have collected over 12,000 diapers (our speci cally racism. And while some might believe that Focusing on race is
goal was 5,000). at doesn’t include the 5,000 that racism does not exist here in Yorktown, I assure you it not productive
Steve donates! does.
To the editor,
We are collecting until Saturday, Dec. 12. We will be Our children organized two separate marches and After watching the Yorktown board meeting for the
announcing the winner of the Men’s G-shock Watch gave numerous stories to the contrary. A group of Yor-
later in the day on the 12th. ktown alumni published a petition asking the school police task force (Coalition on Community Safety &
district to put numerous reforms in place to address Engagement), I see that Supervisor Matt Slater has
Keep ‘em coming, Yorktown! As we say in the Dia- racism and other forms of discrimination within the his hands full.
per Bank World—”No Baby Wet Behind!” district. Clearly these life-long residents of Yorktown
believe there is an issue. e objective of the task force was to provide ideas
Lara Galper on how the Yorktown Police Department could inter-
Genesis Jewelers And while it is a noble act to condemn racism in act with the town residents in a di erent manner in
all its forms, I believe we can do more. A resolution certain situations the task force found important.
Talking about race should not saying racism is bad, is not the same as saying we as
be a deal-breaker a town experience racism. And there is no shame in As I watched the meeting, the letters written in to
this because it is something that a ects everyone. be read were mostly anonymous. And I was shocked.
An open letter to the Coalition on Community A conversation about race should not be politically If you want to enable change, then stand up for it. Put
Engagement, toxic. And we should not have to put pressure on your name in the ring.
our elected o cials or community members to take
Much has been said about my comments at a listen- action. Discussions on discrimination and its e ects I was also astonished that a speaker that night
ing session for the Coalition on Community Engage- should be ongoing and task forces dedicated to ac- was only interested in one issue: racism. is is a
ment on Tuesday, Nov. 24. An article has already been
written, and I anticipate continued publishing and SEE LETTERS PAGE 19
comments, so I think that it’s important that I speak

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Thursday, December 10, 2020 OPINION Yorktown News – Page 13

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Community Solar projects are a nancial ity by 2030 and 100 petcent by 2040, as

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