Mahopac News 10.31.19

VOL. 10 NO. 35 Visit TapIntoMahopac.net for the latest news. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2019

Three battle for two seats on Town Board
Field of candidates features two political newcomers

BY BOD DUMAS Jean Hopper Frank Lombardi Robert Schanil Jr. enrich our everyday lives,” she
EDITOR said. “Our lake communities and
Mahopac Schools and graduated union secretary/treasurer for Lo- who lack the courage to act in our water are being threatened by tox-
ree candidates are vying for from MHS. Sophie is a teacher in cal 15-072. I drove a school bus best interest,” she said. “I ask for ic algae, runo and pollutants, and
two seats on the Carmel Town NYC and Nick is active duty in for Brewster Central School Dis- your vote because we care about we are losing much of our green
Board when voters go to the polls the United States Army. trict and am currently a teacher’s Carmel, its present and its future. spaces. I’ll introduce the Climate
for the general election on Nov. 5 aide to students with disabilities Carmel hasn’t updated its Master Smart initiative that will protect
and in early voting. “I left my 15-year career as a in KLSD.” Plan for 24 years and counting. our water, lakes and environment,
successful retail manager when I’ll implement a Master Plan that and provide state grant funding.
Current councilmen Jonathan our children were born,” Hopper Hopper said her motivation to reduces expenditures, protects our
Schneider and John Lupinacci said. “I volunteered my time with run for Town Board was to bring resources, improves infrastructure, “It’s simple,” she concluded. “I
have decided not to seek re-elec- Scouts, serving as Pack 271 com- integrity, thrift, and foresight back and re ects all of our values.” am an independent voice with
tion, leaving the two seats wide mittee chair and Den leader, Girl into local government. After at- no personal agenda, no favors
open. Seeking to ll them are Scout leader, and adult volunteer. I tending board meetings for years, Hopper said the downtown owed—just intelligent, honest
political neophytes Jean Hopper was active in Fulmar Road PTO, she grew frustrated with what she areas have grown stagnant, and leadership for the issues that af-
(Democrat) and Robert Schanil MHS marching band, and MHS saw as scal waste, ine ciency, there is little incentive for new fect every one of us, where we live,
Jr. (Republican), along with for- Friends of Drama. As our kids got and inaction. business. work, and play.”
mer town councilman Frank older, I began working part-time
Lombardi (Republican), who also as a cook at Katonah-Lewisboro “Over 20 years of one-party “I’ll pursue smart economic FRANK LOMBARDI
once served as deputy supervisor. School District and acted as rule has led us to skyrocketing growth to entice and reward small Frank Lombardi was born and
taxes, few services, and o cials businesses, generate revenue, and
Here’s an up-close look at the raised in the Bronx, rst-gener-
three candidates: ation Italian American. He has
three children who attended Ma-
JEAN HOPPER hopac schools— Anthony, Frank
Jean Hopper was raised in and Alexa.

White Plains and graduated Lombardi attended Fordham
Good Counsel Academy and the University and graduated with a
Fashion Institute of Technology degree in political science/public
in New York City, majoring in administration in 1992.He gradu-
advertising and communications. ated St.John’s University School of
She and her husband, David, Law with his J.D. in 1995. While
have been married for 29 years, living in the Bronx, he served as
and have lived in Mahopac for 27 chair of Bronx Community Board
years. eir two grown children,
Sophie and Nick, both attended SEE TOWN BOARD PAGE 24

VOTE NOV. 5 Strong
Leadership
Frank Lombardi for Carmel
Town Council
Town Councilman

Robert Schanil Jr.

Town Councilman

Endorsed Republican Conservative Independence Candidates Paid for by Friends to Elect Frank Lombardi
and Friends to Elect Robert Schanil Jr.

BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 35
CLASSIFIEDS 34
LEGAL NOTICES 35
LEISURE 33
MAHOPAC MUSINGS 4
OBITUARIES
OPINION 17 SOCCER
SPORTS
10 Mahopac girls advance
26 in sectionals.

pg 26

PAGE 2 MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2019

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2019 Your Neighbor MAHOPAC NEWS PAGE 3

Nightmare Circus is back in Mahopac

Halloween night attraction scares hundreds

BY BOB DUMAS

EDITOR The cast
behind the
Tired of the same old Hallow- scares at
een tricks and treats? Looking for Nightmare
something to really amp up the Circus

scare quotient for this year’s All

Hallows Eve?

How about a Nightmare Cir-

cus? If killer clowns and other

ghosts, ghouls and goblins are

your taste, you may want to check

out Dominic Cappelletti’s Hal-

loween scaretacular on Mahopac

Point on Halloween night.

Cappelletti, along with his dad

and a cadre of family and friends,

built and operate a homemade

haunted house—the Nightmare

Circus—on their front lawn at 24

Sycamore Road.

is is the third year that the

Cappellettis have embarked on

the ghoulish undertaking. e

rst year was a modest endeav-

or—one tent full of scares that

had around 20 people attend.

Last year, the Circus expanded

dramatically and about 500

showed up to be terrorized.

e inspiration for the Night-

mare Circus dates back to Cap-

pelletti’s childhood.

“We started doing Halloween

displays when I was little kid,”

he said. “We had this ghost that

hung from a tree and would drop

down if you walked under it. I

was so fascinated with that. We

stopped doing it after a while.

But a few years ago, we were

hanging out and talking about

how much fun it was and how

we should bring back the spirit to

the neighborhood.

“It started small, but last year

we expanded signi cantly. We

have the sickness now,” he added.

is year, the Nightmare Cir-

cus will feature some new attrac-

tions, although Cappelletti says

you’ll have to come and experi-
ence them to nd out what it’s all Scary skelatons await you at the Nightmare Circus.

about. Besides props and other

mechanical frights, there will be the event. You’ll discover things rain, which would make wheel-

human actors as well. e cast such as: chair access very di cult.

has expanded to 12 and Cappel- • Nightmare Circus has fog • Due to the nature and strong PHOTOS COURTESY OF DOMINIC CAPPELLETTI
letti promises they are all indeed machines in operation. If you themes of the attractions, Night-
quite terrifying. mare Circus is recommended Some of the scary props created by Brian Spears for Nightmare
nd the smoke too intense there only for adults and teens, not Circus.
Hollywood horror prop master are emergency exits throughout

and makeup artist Brian Spears, the attraction. children. Tompkins Mahopac Bank) and back to the community and help

a Mahopac resident, has also lent • Nightmare Circus is not rec- • Carrying babies though the walk into the neighborhood. some people out,” Cappelletti

his considerable skills to the proj- ommended for guests who are attraction is not permitted under is event is completely free. said.

ect. He’s created some gruesome pregnant, have heart conditions any circumstance—no excep- However, they are collecting do- Nightmare Circus is open 7-10

props for the Circus and will help or are in general poor health. tions! nations for the ALS Association p.m. on Halloween Night.

out with the actors’ makeup. • Nightmare Circus is not ere is no onsite parking. (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, aka If you are wondering just how

ere is a website—www. wheelchair accessible. It’s located Nightmare Circus is located in a Lou Gehrig’s Disease). scary it is: “Last year, we had a

nightmarecircus.com—where on a front lawn with steep in- gated community. Park in town “My uncle passed away from 12-year-old boy pee his pants,”

you can go to learn more about clines, declines and uneven ter- at the Chamber Park (near the ALS, so we thought, let’s give Cappelletti said proudly.

PAGE 4 MAHOPAC NEWS MAHOPAC MUSINGS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2019

The Staff CORRECTION Harvestfest family for a fun- lled day. For rehouse. For town of Carmel
more information, call the Recre- residents only; proof of residency
EDITORIAL TEAM
BOB DUMAS e Carmel Recreation and ation o ce at 845-628-7888. Re- must be provided. For more in-

EDITOR: 845-208-0774 anks to several loyal read- Parks Department announces its member to wear your Halloween formation regarding what will be
[email protected]
BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER ers, we discovered that we annual Harvestfest to be held at costumes for the parade! accepted and what will not be
SPORTS EDITOR: 914-302-5628
[email protected] inadvertently published old Sycamore Park on Saturday, Nov. E-Waste Day accepted, visit the town’s website
crossword puzzles the past four 2, from noon-3 p.m. is was at www.carmelny.org or call the
ADVERTISING TEAM
CORINNE STANTON weeks. We are truly sorry about originally scheduled for Oct. 27 Rec Dept. at 845- 628-7888, or
845-621-4049
this error, but there is a silver lin- but was rained out.It will feature a e town of Carmel will hold the supervisor’s o ce at 845-
[email protected]
LISA KAIN ing. roughout November, we haunted house, pony rides, petting an E-Waste Day on Saturday, 628-1500.

914-351-2424 will publish two crossword puz- zoo, games, bounce houses, Trick- Nov. 2, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mi- Carmel Rec
[email protected] zles each week. And we promise or-Treat Parade, vendors and chael Geary In-Line Memo-

PAUL FORHAN that all the puzzles will be new! more! Harvestfest includes activi- rial Rink parking lot on Route Winter Classes
914-202-2392 ties for all ages—bring the whole 6 across from the Mahopac
[email protected]
JENNIFER CONNELLY Registration opens Nov. 1 for
914-334-6335
[email protected] winter classes at the Carmel Rec-
BRUCE HELLER
914-202-2941 reation and Parks Department.
[email protected]
Many, many classes to choose
PRODUCTION TEAM
TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL Replacing scores of from including skiing, snow-

PRODUCTION MANAGER Allstate | State Farm | Geico boarding and ice skating lessons.
DESIGNER/PHOTOGRAPHER For more information on classes
[email protected] Policies Everyday! and to see the brochure, visit the

CHRISTINA ROSE website at www.carmelny.org/
ASST PRODUCTION MANAGER
recreation or follow them on
DESIGNER
[email protected] Facebook @CarmelRecreation.

EXECUTIVE TEAM ONE CALL… MULTIPLE QUOTES We Offer Many Marine Corps
BRETT FREEMAN So You Can Get The Best Buy! A-Rated Companies Birthday/Vets Day

PUBLISHER: 845-208-8151 Come See Travelers • Foremost Party
[email protected] Hy Reichbach, Susan Rohrig & Carmen A. Ritter Progressive • Safeco
Kemper • Hartford e Putnam County Ma-
SHELLEY KILCOYNE For Experience, Knowledge and Service Mercury • 1st American rine Corps League will hold a
VP OF SALES: Main Street America chili and beer party at the Ma-
Aardvark Insurance hopac American Legion Hall on
845-621-1116 Utica Mutual Buckshollow Road, Friday, Nov.
[email protected] 600 Rt. 6 | Mahopac NY 8, at 7 p.m. Cost is $20 per per-
845.208.3707 • 845.225.1007 son. Marines and all veterans are
Deadlines invited, as well as those who sup-
[email protected] port us. For more info, call Dan
MAHOPAC NEWS DEADLINE Lynch at 845-278-0598.
THE DEADLINE FOR ADVERTISEMENTS The Carmel Aardvark Insurance office is merged with the Mahopac office
effective November 25, 2015. Charity Poker
AND EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS FOR Tournament
Bethel Springvale Inn
MAHOPAC NEWS IS THE THURSDAY e Italian American Club
BEFORE THE NEXT PUBLICATION DATE. Westchester’s Best Value in Assisted Living of Mahopac will hold a char-
ity poke tournament on Satur-
FOR MORE INFORMATION, 914-739-4404 x2204 Veterans Move-In Special day, Nov. 7, at its clubhouse, 141
CALL BOB DUMAS AT Bucksholllow Road, Mahopac.
$3(S,t5ud0io0Ap/aMrtmoenntts)h A homemade Italian meal is in-
845-208-0774 OR EMAIL cluded beginning a 7 p.m. Game
[email protected].  Rent begins at 7:30 p.m. Admission
 Basic Services is $100. Pre-register and prepay
Subscribe  Enriched Care Program on our website at italianameri-
canclubofmahopac.org. Click
TO REQUEST MAHOPAC NEWS Bethel Springvale Inn offers: 914-739-4404 x2204 on “Webstore/ Poker” to re-
WEEKLY DELIVERY, CALL 845-208-8503 OR  24 hour on-site nursing ceive 1,000 extra chips. Bring a
EMAIL [email protected].  Chef prepared meals served restaurant style friend—new player receive 500
SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE COMPLIMENTARY FOR  Personal Emergency Response System extra chips.
RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES IN THE TOWN.  Outings, events, activities and more
OUT OF TOWN MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE  Personalized care levels for your comfort & safety Optional $20 donation for
$150 PER YEAR FOR FIRST CLASS MAIL. charity will earn you 2,000 extra
Stop by our Open House 11/16/19 from 11 am – 1 pm chips. Come to consecutive tour-
PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT naments to receive 500 or 1,000
MAHOPAC, NY AND AT extra chips. Re-buys during the

ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES. rst ve rounds. You must be at
POSTMASTER: least 21 to play. Fundraising is
for Putnam Recreation Programs
SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO and Habilitation (PRPHny.org).
MAHOPAC NEWS AT
824 ROUTE 6, SUITE 4 For additional information or
MAHOPAC, NY 10541 to play, call Frank at 914-400-
6751, or Tom at 845-628-5909.
MNeawhsopac
Rotary Pre-
(ISSN 2330-1627) Election Dinner
PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY
HALSTON MEDIA, LLC AT e Lake Mahopac Ro-
824 ROUTE 6, SUITE 4 tary Club will host its annual
MAHOPAC, NY 10541

MAIN OFFICE
BAILEY COURT
334 ROUTE 202, UNIT C1S
SOMERS, NY 10589
©2019 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC

62 Springvale Road, Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520 914-739-4404 — bethelwell.org SEE MUSINGS PAGE 25

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2019 MAHOPAC NEWS PAGE 5

I am asking for your
vote Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Vote Robert Schanil Jr.

for Carmel Town Councilman

Endorsed by Please vote for our
the Republican, good friend!
Independence
and Conservative MaryEllen Odell

Parties Putnam County Executive

Neal L. Sullivan

County Legislator District 9

Paid for by Friends of Robert Schanil Jr.

PAGE 6 MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2019

Linson, Spofford face off in county judge race

BY BOB DUMAS crime, and transform families and communities,” she

EDITOR said. “And I’m running to reduce the nancial burden

that drug-related crime imposes on every Putnam

When voters go to polls this month for early vot- family’s budget.”

ing and on Election Day, Nov. 5, they will be asked Linson said she has a proven history of commit-

to choose between two candidates for the position of ment and service to the community.

Putnam County Court judge. “I have been strictly non-partisan in my own cam-

e post was previously held by Judge James Reitz, paigning. I engage and truly listen,”she said.“I ask the

who passed away earlier this year and was widely ac- public to review my website and Facebook page, as

claimed for his pioneering work in the Drug Treat- well as those of my opponent. Know before you vote.”

ment Court. Linson said the opioid emergency is Putnam’s

Philipstown Court Justice Camille S. Linson, a greatest challenge.

Democrat, and Carmel Court Justice Joe Spo ord, a “Rehabilitative judicial practices save lives when we

Republican, both seek to ll the post, which carries a all work to create opportunities for people to recover

10-year term and includes criminal, family and sur- and reintegrate into our families, communities, and

rogate courts. Camille Linson Joe Spofford economies,” she said. “I have the relationships needed
Here is a closer look at the candidates: on day one to run the Drug Treatment Court e ective-

Linson said she is running for county judge because ly. I am passionate about community engagement and vol-

CAMILLE LINSON “lives depend on the outcome of this race.” unteerism, as my long history of community service shows.”

Linson is currently the town justice for Philipstown. She “I stepped up for the justice’s seat in Philipstown because

grew up on a farm outside Wallkill, N.Y., and has lived in I couldn’t stay on the sidelines while so many families suf- JOE SPOFFORD

Putnam County for over 20 years, where she raised her son fered the devastating e ects of the opioid crisis,” she said. Spo ord is currently a town justice for Carmel. He was

and her niece. “As soon as I took o ce, I took action, integrating treat- born to a working-class blue-collar family. His father was a

She received her undergraduate degree with honors ment-court philosophy and practice in my courtroom. I’m Korean War vet and FDNY re ghter. He moved to Tar-

from Harvard University, and conducted her legal studies running for county judge now because we are poised on a rytown and graduated from Irvington High School with

at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, Universität Heidel- precipice in Putnam. If a judge takes the bench who, like honors in 1979. He attended Colgate University, where

berg and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin in Germany my opponent, has not had extensive rst-hand experience he played Division 1 baseball, and graduated in 1983 with

and Oxford University in England. implementing treatment-court philosophy and practices honors. He graduated from Pace University School of Law

“I worked for international law rms for many years, and and has not involved himself in the treatment community’s in 1986 with honors.

then opened my own practice here in Putnam when my son response, we risk the e ectiveness of our Drug Treatment Spo ord was admitted to practice law in Connecticut

was born,” she said. “My private practice includes transac- Court.Treatment courts work.” in 1986, and New York in 1987. He subsequently ob-

tional law for businesses as well as cost-free legal services Linson said drug courts save taxpayers to the tune of tained admission to practice in U.S. Federal Court in 1989

in family, estate and criminal law for families in need. I love about $6,700 per o ender. If you incorporate victimization and U.S. Tax Court in 2000. He began practicing law in

playing piano, trail-running in the Hudson Highlands, and costs, the savings increases to nearly $12,000. SEE JUDGE PAGE 8

competing in triathlons and ultra-marathons.” “I want to be county judge so that I can save lives, reduce

ELECT
SchanilRobert

Carmel Town JCro. uncil
Endorsed by the Republican, Independence and Conservative Parties

A strong, proactive, independent thinker with a IMPORTANT ISSUES TO FAMILIES & TAXPAYERS
creative mindset for our town board.
Focused on town spending, keeping taxes low and affordable
A true leader dedicated to working diligently with other for families.
members to balance the budget with the needs of the
taxpayers in mind. Evaluating and planning for the maintenance, improvement and
installation of the town’s infrastructure.
Fiscally conservative and conscientious about the
environment. Preservation of the beauty and landscape of the town while
allowing commercial development to improve the town’s
A life-long Putnam County resident who has resided in economy and to provide employment.
Carmel for 21 years, Robert and his wife Marlene of 26
years, have raised their four children who all attended Developing long and short-term economic goals and objectives
Carmel Schools. for the Town.

VOTE Schanil Nov. 5
Paid For By Friends To Elect Robert Schanil Jr.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2019 MAHOPAC NEWS PAGE 7

PAGE 8 MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2019

Route 6 and Route 52 JUDGE
road repair to begin
FROM PAGE 6
e second phase of a major
Carmel in 1987. “For 33 years I have maintained a civil and criminal
milling and repaving project on litigation practice within a half-mile of the Putnam County Court-
house,”Spo ord said.“I have represented hundreds of people in all of
the hamlet of Carmel’s main the courts in Putnam County and have conducted jury trials at every
trial level in this county. As a litigation attorney my practice involves
roads is about to begin. representing litigants in Putnam County Family Court, Surrogate’s
Court and County Court. I have tried well over 50 cases to verdict,
e project, which will run jury and non-jury.”

from Route 6 at Belden Road to Spo ord said he is the only candidate for county court judge
who has regularly appeared in Family Court, Surrogate’s Court and
Route 52 at Vink Drive,will begin Criminal Court and has represented clients in all three courts for the
past 32 years.
the evening of Sunday, Oct. 27,
“My opponent has never appeared on a single occasion in any of
and continue for seven to 10 days. the courts that she is seeking to preside over,” he said.

“ e state DOT has a lot of Spo ord has three children: Sean, who has seven years of active
duty in the Navy; Brooke, who works full time at a radio station in
competing projects to consider,” Seattle; and Terrence, a freshman at Carmel High School, where is
captain of his football team.
County Executive MaryEllen
Spo ord has served as town justice in Carmel, the largest town in
Odell said. “State Assembly- Putnam County, for 20 years.

man Kevin Byrne and Putnam “I have a 20-year demonstrated record of being calm, compassion-
ate, fair and knowledgeable of the law,”he said.“I encourage everyone
County Legislator Carl Albano to consult with the members of the Putnam County Bar Association
regarding my character, quali cations and judicial temperament. I
worked hard to get the state to trust that the hundreds of members of the bar and the litigants that
have appeared before me in the Carmel Court would agree that they
focus on making the corridor be- have been treated respectfully and that their cases have always been
decided fairly, impartially and according to the law.”
tween Carmel and Kent as safe as
Spo ord has been endorsed by the Carmel PBA, the Putnam
it can be.” PHOTO COURTESY OF COUNTY EXECUTIVE’S OFFICE County Sheri ’s Department PBA, the New York State Police PBA,
the New York State Police Investigator’s PBA, the New York State
Odell’s administration will County Legislator Carl Albano looks on as the crews get ready for the Fraternal Order of Police, the A liated Police Associations, the
stay in contact with the New Route 6/52 paving project. Putnam County Firearms Owners Association, the New York State
Ri e and Pistol Association and the Westchester Putnam Building
York State Department of and Construction Trades Council Local 456, as well as the Republi-
can, Conservative and Independence parties.
Transportation to ensure the work is done with as Library was nished last year.

little disruption to tra c as possible. ‘Over the years, the state has patched the road,

Paleen Construction of Somers was contracted but it hasn’t been entirely repaved in almost 20

by the state DOT to carry out the project, which years,’ Albano said. “ is is the main thorough-

requires milling the existing surface before pour- fare through the Hamlet of Carmel and we’re very

ing and grading the new asphalt. e work will be happy that the state recognizes the need to x it.

done in sections and each section will be useable We hope that they will later continue the work on

as soon as completed. Route 52 all the way to Route 311 in Kent.”

e rst phase of the project, which repaired

Route 6 from Route 312 to the Reed Memorial Article provide by County Executive’s o ce