Yorktown News 10.28.21

Vol. 10 No. 32 Visit TapIntoYorktown.net for the latest news. Thursday, October 28, 2021
Karen Car industry plagued
Accardi-Dey, by shortages
10, carves a
pumpkin at
St. Andrew’s
Church on
Oct. 24.
Local dealerships experiencing
PHOTO: ROBERT
DISTASIO
low inventory

BY BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER several pickup truck plants be-
EDITOR
cause the company didn’t have

enough computer chips. In July,

If you drive by your local car Ford announced that second-

dealership and notice its lot quarter pro ts had fallen by 50%

looks emptier than usual, you’re largely due to the lack of semi-

not imagining things. at’s be- conductors.

Happy Halloween! cause some small parts are cre- Locally, Cortlandt’s Bill Volz,

St. Andrews Evangelical Lutheran Church is starting to carve out a tradition in Yorktown. ating big headaches for the auto which sells Chrysler, Dodge and
For the second consecutive year, the church hosted a pumpkin carving contest, which was held Sunday,
Oct. 24. industry. Jeep vehicles, went from having
Turn to Pages 22 and 23 for more photos.
If you missed out on that event, don’t fear. More Halloween events are on the horizon in Yorktown: Globally, the production of a three-month inventory of new

new cars and trucks has come cars to about 40 days’ worth.

to a screeching halt because of a “We used to have about 300

shortage of one important part: cars and we’re down to about

a semiconductor chip that is 85,” said Marschhauser, who is

about the size of a quarter. the brother of this writer.

ese chips, which are also A similar shortage is true for

used in popular tech items like Mohegan Lake Motors, which

iPhones and Playstations, are sells Audi and Volkswagen ve-

TRUNK OF TREAT / BOO live music, Peekskill Brewery HALLOWEEN PARADE used to power the digital dash- hicles.
AND BREW beer, carnival games, haunted AND CARNIVAL
hayride, apple cider, arts and boards of most new vehicles. “We’re learning to sell from
Friday, Oct. 29, 5 p.m. crafts, and more. Saturday, Oct. 30, 2 p.m.
e Je erson Valley Mall is Dress up in costume and “Most new cars, you can’t do an empty shelf,” said Barry Rost,
TEEN ZOMBIE PROM march from Yorktown Plaza
hosting two spooktacular events. Friday, Oct. 29, 5:30 p.m. Park (Rexall’s) to Jack DeVito anything without screens on,” the dealer principal at Mohegan
First up is a Trunk or Treat (5-7 Wear your most ghoulish cos- Veterans Memorial Field. Free
p.m.) sponsored by the York- to all Yorktown residents. Spon- said Chris Marschhauser, an as- Lake Motors.
town Chamber of Commerce. tume and join the Zombie Prom sored by the town and Yorktown
At the same time, the mall’s Boo at the John C. Hart Memorial Lions Club. sistant sales manager and sales- However, Rost noted that the
and Brew event (5-9 p.m.) will Library. Sign up at yorktownli-
get underway in front of PB brary.org/914-245-5262. man at Bill Volz Westchester. problem runs deeper than the
Pizza & Beer. Enjoy food trucks,
“So, your car is essentially an semiconductor chip shortage.

iPhone that won’t turn on.” Supply-chain woes and manu-

Last month, General Motors facturing delays have also con-

announced that it was halt- SEE CAR DEALERSHIPS PAGE 4
ing the assembly lines of

Leaves Are Falling, BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 37
But Not Home Values! CLASSIFIEDS
HEALTH & WELLNESS 38
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OPINION
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Page 2 – Yorktown News Thursday, October 28, 2021

IS THIS THE KIND
OF EXPERIENCE
WE WANT ON OUR
TOWN BOARD?

FROM THE AMERICAN ARMS WEBSITE

SERGIO ESPOSITO’S GUN
STORE AND MAIL ORDER

business, American Arms, is located at 1928
Commerce Street, Yorktown Heights, New York.

(In the same building as the Yorktown Youth Soccer Club)

FROM THE AMERICAN ARMS WEBSITE

FROM THE AMERICAN ARMS WEBSITE

Paid for by Yorktown Democratic Committee

Thursday, October 28, 2021 Yorktown News – Page 3

Gagliardi announces transitional appointments, goals John C.
Hart
Tracy Norman promoted to assistant superintendent for instruction Library
Corner
BY NICK TRUJILLO
STAFF WRITER Library is fully open now.
According to the town of Yor-
With Dr. Karen Gagliardi’s FILE PHOTO/BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER ktown policy, all patrons/visi-
appointment as Lakeland’s tors over the age of 2 will be required
interim superintendent of GWES Principal Tracy Norman, pictured in 2013, has been promoted to assistant superintendent for to wear a mask when inside the
schools, the position she left instruction. library, regardless of vaccine status.
behind, assistant superinten-
dent for instruction, was left “ is is a time of transition, the district’s plans for the $3.2 system upgrades for gyms and • Monday- ursday: 9:30 a.m. – 8
vacant. p.m.
and during this time for me, it million in funding they have hallways at George Wash-
At last week’s Board of Edu- • Friday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
cation meeting and in a subse- is to be able to further build re- been allocated through the ington Elementary School, • Saturday: 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
quent letter to the community • Sunday: Noon – 4 p.m.
posted on Lakeland’s website, lationships, to reestablish and American Rescue Plan (ARP) Lakeland High School, Lin- 914-245-5262; yorktownlibrary.
two positional realignments org; [email protected]
were reported by Gagliardi. further develop trust, to listen and Secondary School Emer- coln-Titus Elementary School, (A) Adult
Dr. Tracy Norman will move (Y) Teen
from his role as principal of thoughtfully and carefully to gency Relief (ARP ESSER) omas Je erson Elementary (C) Children
George Washington Elemen-
tary School to acting assistant all stakeholders, and to de- Fund under the American Re- School, and Van Cortlandtville DID YOU KNOW?
superintendent for instruc- Library sta are having a “Pump-
tion, and Marc Casey will velop next steps to steady our sue Plan Act of 2021, enacted Elementary School.
move from his role as assistant kin Decorating Contest.” is fun
principal of Lakeland Copper district yet propel us forward,” on March 11, 2021. “We have over 460 large air activity was initiated by the library
Beech Middle School to take director at our September sta meet-
over as principal for Norman. Gagliardi said. “Engaging our As of now, half of the funds puri er units that are deployed ing. Library sta were given plain
white pumpkins to decorate accord-
e district has not yet named stakeholders in discussions will ($1.6 million) are available for district-wide in our classrooms ing to their favorite books. At least 11
an assistant principal replace- pumpkins were created; the selection
ment for Copper Beech. Both reveal areas and opportunities use and planning through Sept. and large spaces, and an ad- includes some children’s favorites
Norman and Casey will hold characters: such as Fancy Nancy, Cu-
their current roles until the end for growth.” 30, 2023, and the other half has ditional 70-plus smaller units. rious George, Pete the Cat, Madeline,
of the school year. Pig the Pug, and Harry Potter. Other
Gagliardi added that the dis- not been made available yet by So, we will be buying lters for famous children’s classics represented
Norman has been a member are: “Charlotte’s Web”and “Caps for
of the Lakeland district for 21 trict’s administrative sta will New York State. those,” Myke said. Sale”; some popular adult novels in-
years. Gagliardi said that she is clude “Circe,”“Dracula,”and “Gideon
con dent he will make great review the Diversity, Equity, “ e remaining $1.6 million e district is required to of- the Ninth.” ese creations are dis-
strides in his new administra- played in the library across from the
tive role. and Inclusion team, which has will be made available,” Myke fer the public a chance to pro- adult reference desk and on a picture
board in the Children’s room as well.
“I have a long-standing been the main point of interest said. “Its intent is for support vide input on how to use the Come in and cast your vote, or you
working relationship [with can vote through the library website
him], a tremendous amount for public commenters at board for students and has to be set funds and is doing so through (yorktownlibrary.org) by lling out an
of respect for him and for his online form. e winner will be an-
community,” Gagliardi said. meeting all year long. Gagliar- aside for another purpose. We a Google form with a dead- nounced on Nov. 1. e library sta
“He’s done tremendous work hopes you will be inspired and enjoy
in our district and will contin- di would like to converse with will have a plan for those funds line of Oct. 28 that is located the display. Wishing everyone a fun
ue to partner with me in that and safe Halloween!
work.” stakeholders across the district as soon as the state makes them under the news section on the
SUNDAY,OCTOBER 31
Casey takes over for Norman for input on how they should available.” district’s website. e district’s • (A) Demystifying Medicare and
after serving as Copper Beech’s
assistant principal since 2015. move forward. For the $1.6 million current- application for the funds is due Healthcare Coverage for Seniors.
Gagliardi described him a 12:30-3:30 p.m. It’s perfect for
student-focused administrator “We will seek expansion ly available, the district’s plan is on the state portal on Oct. 29. anyone trying to navigate their way
and an excellent leader. through our complicated healthcare
and inclusion from a variety to spend $27,944 on support Myke also said that 20 per- system. Please register online.
“You do have big shoes to ll,
but I know you can do it,” Ga- of voices and stakeholders, and for special education students cent of the total funds allo- MONDAY,NOVEMBER 1
gliardi said. “Mark also comes • (C) Rock and Roll for Little
to us with a lot of experience, a together, identify opportuni- in the areas of speech support, cated by the state (nearly $122
true heart, knows his students Ones! children of all ages, 10:30-11
and works with them.” ties for growth and next steps,” occupational therapy, physical billion) must be used to assist a.m. Come hear Amy Hersh play her
guitar and sing outside on our front
Gagliardi closed by saying wrote Gagliardi in her letter. “A therapy, and reading services. students that experienced aca- lawn.
that she will work with Cooper
Beech Principal Frank Ruolo comprehensive structural ap- e district also plans to demic loss through the Co- WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3
to ll the role left behind by • (C) Surprise Bag of Books –
Casey. proach to the team’s work will spend $1,606,180 on safe and vid-19 pandemic. Ages 3-5 or 6-10, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sign up online on Monday or Tues-
e second portion of Dr. support the needs and goals comfortable environment up- “It’s 20 percent of the state day and pick up your bag starting on
Gagliardi’s letter outlined her
goals and upcoming points of the district; these steps will grades for classrooms and allocation, not 20 percent of SEE LIBRARY CORNER PAGE 8
of interest during the time of
transition. She highlighted be taken in the coming weeks other building facilities. is our allocation; it’s actually al-
three areas where key tran-
sitional steps will take place: with follow up over time.” includes HVAC Merv 13 air most half the allocation for
teaching and learning; nance
and operations; and gover- lters and air puri er lters ARP funds but that applica-
nance, community, and public
relations. LAKELAND PLANS FOR USE across all buildings, classroom tion hasn’t been released. It’s

OF ARP FUNDING unit ventilator replacements not due yet, so there’s nothing

Joy Myke, Lakeland’s busi- for Van Cortlandtville El- we can do with the remaining

ness administrator, presented ementary School, and HVAC funds at this point,” Myke said.

Page 4 – Yorktown News Thursday, October 28, 2021

The Staff CAR DEALERSHIPS tributed to cars being shipped oor mats, so cars are getting For new car buyers, the selec-
with missing components. shipped in some cases without tion process “has not been great,”
EDITORIAL TEAM FROM PAGE 1 Rost said. “ e unfortunate thing
BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER “ ere is a shortage of rubber oor mats,” Rost said. “We’ve is customers have had to settle”
EDITOR: 914-302-5628 got cars shipped with one key. for cars or colors that might not
[email protected] BEDFORD GRAVEL be their rst choice, he added.
& LANDSCAPE SUPPLY ey’ve deleted some standard
ADVERTISING TEAM Serving the Area Since 1949 equipment on cars.” As reported on by Vox two
PAUL FORHAN months ago, “ ese supply chain
Gravel • Mulches • Topsoil • Fieldstone A veteran of the car sales in- woes began in the early days of
(914) 806-3951 dustry, Rost said he’s never seen the Covid-19 pandemic, when
[email protected] FIREWOOD anything like this current situa- lockdowns worldwide shuttered
tion. manufacturing plants, disrupt-
BRUCE HELLER One Face Cord (Single Row 4’x8’)..... $179 ing the supply of semiconductors
(914) 486-7608 Two Face Cords ($177 each) ............. $354 • “Usually, I’ve dealt with over- while simultaneously driving a
[email protected] Small amounts available for pick-up stock,” Rost said. “I’ve never dealt surge in demand for devices like
• Fatwood firestarter & kindling wood with an undersupply this severe laptops and gaming consoles.”
LISA KAIN for the 40 years I’ve been in the
(201) 317-1139 DEER FENCING, NETTING, business. It’s a completely unique Much of the world’s semicon-
[email protected] POSTS & REPELLENT experience, and we’re adjusting to ductor supply comes from a small
CORINNE STANTON it.” company in Taiwan.
(914) 760-7009 27 Norm Ave., Mt. Kisco (next to Kohl’s)
[email protected] On the other hand, with new e White House is brokering
www.bedfordgravel.com cars becoming more di cult to negotiations with semiconductor
JAY GUSSAK obtain, the used-car market has makers to get more chips in the
(914) 299-4541 914-241-3851 perhaps never been hotter. hands of car companies. Addi-
[email protected] tionally, the Commerce Depart-
SHELLEY KILCOYNE Progressive Animal Hospital “It used to be when you bought ment is pushing to incentivize
(914) 924-9122 a new car, there was the old ad- chip manufacturing in the Unit-
[email protected] Best of Somers 2020 & 2021! Our team of dedicated age that it would depreciate the ed States. But these solutions
and skilled professionals moment you drove it o the lot,” may take years to bear fruit.
PRODUCTION TEAM provide your pets with Marschhauser said. “But they’re
TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL the highest quality of care. holding their value for longer.” Marschhauser predicts that
The highly personalized one day—perhaps a few years
CREATIVE DIRECTOR attention as well as the Before this year, Bill Volz down the line—conditions will
PHOTOGRAPHER bought many of its used cars at shift and supply will once again
meticulous attention auctions, but many auctioned outpace demand. For that reason,
[email protected] to detail, reflect our cars are selling for higher prices he said, his dealership is not rais-
GABRIELLE BILIK than normal, forcing dealerships ing the prices of its cars above the
DESIGNER commitment to to rely on trade-ins to keep their manufacturer’s suggested retail
providing an exceptional used-car stock full. price (MSRP).
[email protected]
standard of service. Over in Mohegan Lake, it has “We know a time will return
EXECUTIVE TEAM been a “fact- nding mission” for when we need [customers] as
BRETT FREEMAN Conventional & Holistic Care Audi and Volkswagen customers, much as they need us now,” he
CEO & PUBLISHER Rost said. said.
845-208-8151
“Many customers have elected For the same reasons, Mohe-
[email protected] to continue to extend their lease,” gan Lake Motors is also “not tak-
Rost said. “If we have a car that ing advantage” of the situation,
Deadlines Rost said. “Unlike other dealers,
ts their needs or is even close to we’re not gouging.”
YORKTOWN NEWS DEADLINE what their needs are, it might be
THE DEADLINE FOR ADVERTISEMENTS a compelling time to take advan-
tage of their [trade-in value] to
AND EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS FOR buy.”

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