PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID WEST CALDWELL, NJ PERMIT #992 FOX TRACKS 2 HEALTH & WELLNESS 18 IN CASE YOU MISSED IT 31 LEISURE 23 OPINION 10 SPORTS 22 Ambleside Pub Arrives pg 16 CHEERS! VOL. 3 NO. 1 APRIL 11 – MAY 8, 2024 Visit News.HalstonMedia.com for the latest news. Fox Lane High School has proudly announced Jocelyn Wierzchowski as Valedictorian and Cole Simon as Salutatorian for the Class of 2024. The Bedford Central School District has offered a chance for the community to learn about this pair of exemplary students. Valedictorian Jocelyn Wierzchowski Anticipated major Applied Mathematics What accomplishment are you most proud of? While I have been a part of many amazing teams, organizations and events, I am extremely proud of my success in becoming trilingual. I lived overseas for about 10 years, spending about four years total in Tokyo, Japan and six years in Beijing, China. I was dedicated to immersing myself in the culture and learning the local language. I spent countless hours both in and out of school learning Mandarin and eventually secured my fluency by passing the HSK Chinese Proficiency Exam. I moved back to the US in eighth grade and Fox Lane has allowed me to continue my knowledge of languages through its extensive offerings in Spanish. Recently, I completed a project in order to receive my Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish to confirm my fluency. These accomplishments have allowed me to communicate with new groups of people while learning about their unique cultures. Who is the most influential person(s) in your life? I am fortunate to have many incredible people in my life, yet I would have to say my family. Both of my siblings have pushed me to be better and try my best. My older sister is someone I will always look up to, and my younger brother has always been there to cheer me on. All of my success in life has stemmed from the support I have from my parents. They have given me the foundation and support to chase after whatever goal or dream I may have, and for that, I am forever grateful. What is your favorite Fox Lane memory? When I look back on my high school experience, I can recall so many amazing moments that I was able to share with many wonderful people. However, one of my favorite memories is rather simple. It was sophomore year Chemistry class. We had a three-hour review block before the upcoming Regents e xam. Everyone hunkered down and studied while laughing and chatting with peers. My mom dropped off food and baskets full of snacks to fuel our study session. We enjoyed the abundance of treats and each other’s company, and the three hours seemed to fly by. Somehow, my class was able to turn something rather laborious into something memorable. Being able to have so much fun doing something that seemed daunting at first has taught me to always make the best of any situation. Fox Lane High School announces Valedictorian and Salutatorian for Class of 2024 Cole Simon and Jocelyn Wierzchowski SEE VAL/SAL PAGE 24 Scan Here To Sign Up (It’s FREE!) Get YOUR Town’s Local News In Your Inbox Daily Amawalk l 3 BR l 2.2 BA l 4,034 sf l 1.56 Acres You Truly Can Have It All - this immaculate LIVES LIKE A 4+ BEDROOM Colonial offers rare amenities of town water and natural gas - sitting on a beautiful and expansive 1.56 park-like acres in its own private enclave. Updated, expanded and stunning with everything today’s buyer is looking for. Offered at $1,250,000 #UGottaHaveHope HOPEMAZZOLA YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE HOPE Sales Vice President Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker cell: 914.714.0090 [email protected] hopemazzola.com MAZZOLA YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE HOPE 95 Katonah Ave | Katonah, NY 10536 Just Listed
PAGE 2 – MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES The Staff EDITORIAL TEAM Tom Walogorsky Editor: 914-302-5830 [email protected] ADVERTISING TEAM Paul Forhan (914) 806-3951 [email protected] Bruce Heller (914) 486-7608 [email protected] Lisa Kain (201) 317-1139 [email protected] Corinne Stanton (914) 760-7009 [email protected] Jay Gussak (914) 299-4541 [email protected] Pam Zacotinsky (845) 661-0748 [email protected] PRODUCTION TEAM Tabitha Pearson Marshall Creative Director Photographer [email protected] DESIGNERS Noah Elder Bri Agosta Haven Elder Jacob Elder EXECUTIVE TEAM Brett Freeman CEO & Publisher 845-208-8151 [email protected] Deadlines The Mt. Kisco-Bedford Times The deadline for advertisements and editorial submissions is the Wednesday before the next publication date. For more information, call Tom Walogorsky at 914-302-5830 or email [email protected] Location 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY HALSTON MEDIA, LLC ©2024 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC APRIL 11 - MAY 8, 2024 While spring brings on warmer temperatures, longer days, and blooming foliage, it can also bring on seasonal allergies. With preventative measures and treatment, people can find ways to lessen bothersome allergy symptoms. What causes seasonal allergies? When the body’s immune system reacts to something in the environment, seasonal allergies can develop. They usually occur during spring/summer due to the presence of specific types of vegetation (e.g., trees, flowers, grass). What are some of the common symptoms of seasonal allergies? Common symptoms of allergies include itchy/watery eyes, runny nose, congestion and sneezing. Asthma attacks may also occur in people who suffer from asthma and in those who are triggered by pollen. How can you prevent/lessen your allergy symptoms? Some common treatments for allergies include taking oral antihistamines and nasal corticosteroids. Reducing exposure to allergens/avoiding allergen triggers can also greatly reduce allergy symptoms. The CDC recommends: • Avoid touching your eyes while outside • Wash your hands when you go back inside • Keep windows closed during pollen season • Use high-efficiency filters in your home’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system Changing seasons brings woes for those suffering from allergies Scan the QR code or visit east.optum.com Optum Medical Care, P.C. (“Optum Medical Care”) is a physician owned and led practice having complete authority for all medical decision-making and patient care through its physicians and other licensed professionals. Optum, through its owned management organizations, provides non-clinical administrative services to support Optum Medical Care and its physicians. Neither Optum nor its management companies employs, engages, or supervises physicians or other licensed professionals, or determines or sets the methods, standards, or conduct of the practice of medicine or health care provided by Optum Medical Care or by any of its licensed professionals. “Part of Optum” reflects that Optum Medical Care is part of Optum’s effort to support forward-thinking physician practices in helping their patients live healthier lives. Optum is a registered trademark of Optum, Inc. in the U.S. and other jurisdictions. All other brand or product names are the property of their respective owners. Because we are continuously improving our products and services, Optum reserves the right to change specifications without prior notice. Optum is an equal opportunity employer. © 2024 Optum, Inc. All rights reserved. 04/24 Mount Kisco Conservation Advisory Council Earth Day Celebration Sunday, April 21, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. To be held at Fountain Park outside Village Hall. All are invited to this free and fun family event. There will be green crafts and a history-nature walk along the Branch Brook Greenway for kids. Visitors can get expert advice on gardening for better flowers and vegetables, and plants that attract butterflies. There will be info on clean technologies for energy-smart housing, electric vehicles, and composting and recycling to make for a better environment. Adults and children alike will enjoy live music and a movie. Every family attending the celebration can receive a free take-home-andgrow native tree sapling. Mount Kisco Tree Preservation Board Tribute to Trees Art Exhibition Currently on display at the public library on 100 East Main Street. Young artists have expressed their love for trees in 100 amazing creations. All are invited to this free exhibition. Arbor Day Celebration Saturday, April 27, at 10:30 a.m. To be held at at the Tea House in Leonard Park. Celebrate young artists, enjoy the town’s Tree City USA designation, help plant a tree, and take home a sapling. ‘Tribute to Trees’ Art Exhibition Thru Friday, April 26 The popular “Tribute to Trees” art exhibition is now on display at the Mount Kisco Public Library. All are invited free of charge. The exhibit will be open until April 26, during library hours when the Community Room on the 2nd floor is not in use. Recommended viewing dates and times are: Monday, April 22 from 3 to 4:45 p.m.; Tuesdays, April 16 and 23 from 3 to 4:45 p.m.; Thursdays, April 11, 18 and 25 from 3 to 5:45 p.m.; and Saturday, April 13, from noon to 3:44 p.m. “Tribute to Trees’ is sponsored by the town’s Tree Preservation Board, Conservation Advisory Council, and Historical Society. It is also supported by T4T (Trees for Tribs) of the Watershed Agricultural Council, and the NYC Department of Environmental Protection. Westchester Bluegrass Club www.westchesterbluegrassclub. com High Horse Sunday, April 21 If Boston’s Bluegrass scene produced a boy band, High Horse would be them. Carson McHaney, Karl Henry, G Rockwell, and Noah Harrington each have an impressive resume of their own. Then, in 2023 they joined forces and High Horse has been turning heads everywhere they stop to play. Their influences run wide across the acoustic music spectrum and create a unique and uplifting virtuosic sound. Tickets are $25. (2:30 p.m. Doors/Acoustic Jam, 3:30 p.m. Open Mic, 4 p.m. Show). Grand Opening of Katonah Way Pharmacy Saturday, April 13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. A new, independent pharmacy located at 294 Katonah Ave, The Katonah Way Pharmacy is owned by people who know the Katonah community very FOX TRACKS SEE TRACKS PAGE 25
APRIL 11 - MAY 8, 2024 THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES – PAGE 3 BY CAROL REIF STAFF WRITER Harold “Harry” McCartney, uber-volunteer and nature lover, has been named the recipient of a “Distinguished Service Award” by the Mount Kisco Historical Society. That honor will be bestowed at the society’s annual meeting, set for 2 p.m. Sunday, April 14, at the Mount Kisco Public Library, 100 East Main St. It is open to the public and will feature a talk by W. Ross Porter on Civil War veterans who are buried at Oakwood Cemetery as well as “highlights” of the society’s year and the election of trustees. McCartney Not only has McCartney been the town historian for more than a decade, he’s an active Trail Team leader and a member of the Mount Kisco Conservation Advisory Council, the village’s Tree Preservation Board, and Merestead’s board of directors. (Once the private estate of Robert and Margaret (Sloane) Patterson, Merestead is now a 130-acre county park. It’s known for its 28-room Georgian mansion, gardens, nature trails, and historic farm complex.) According to the society, McCartney is the consummate tree hugger. Having helped create the village’s trails, he walks them regularly to monitor their well-being. He also promotes their cleaning and hosts hikes for nature lovers of all ages. As historian, McCartney had mentored young folks researching topics such as the first time the train came to Mount Kisco. “It’s so inspirational to hang out with these young adults,” he said. McCartney also has created a video series titled “A Conversation with Mount Kisco Community Elders,” stood up for historic sites threatened by development, made weekly presentations about historic landmarks at the Fox Senior Center and the library, and invited many speakers to make presentations at historical society meetings. His “knowledge, enthusiasm, and dedication to Mount Kisco are unparalleled,” the society said. A devoted family man, McCartney is also renowned for his sense of humor. He and his wife, Linda, have two sons. McCartney worked for IBM for 32 years. “I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the recognition,” he said, adding: “It’s really heartening to be in environments where I can share my little bit of knowledge with friends, relatives, and community members.” Porter Porter said it was his mother’s passion for genealogy and all the interesting information she managed to dig up about family members who lived during the 19th century – pre-Ancestry.com, no less -- that first spurred him to read up on the Civil War. He amassed quite a library but didn’t start actively looking into Civil War burials at Oakwood until about a dozen years ago. “I started adding to it here and there,” said Porter, explaining that he wasn’t sure where his research was leading. Then he happened to mention it to historical society president Ralph Vigliotti and suddenly it became a goal to find and record all the Civil War graves there. So far, he’s confirmed that there are 50. Now in his mid-60s, Porter joined the U.S. Marine Corps right out of high school. That’s why, he said, he feels a special bond with veterans. One stone in particular caught his eye. Most of the time, they only display the person’s name and birth and death dates. Hiram Worden’s was different; it told a story. His stone read that he was born on Nov. 24, 1828, and died on Aug. 23, 1864. Underneath were the words: “Wounded in the Battle of Cold Harbor May 1864.” (Underneath that was his wife’s name, Susan Adams, and her birth and death dates.) That meant that nearly three months had passed between the time Worden was injured and the time he died. The battle took place near Mechanicsville, Va., from May 31 to June 12 that year, with the most significant fighting occurring on June 3. What’s fascinating about the Civil War is that it was the first war to be documented by photographers. Porter could not track down a photo of Worden, but he did find documents that showed he had had to have his right arm amputated. Having enlisted in Bedford, the gravely wounded man was brought back to a military hospital on Davids Island in New Rochelle. That was lucky, Porter said, because his wife and two children may have had a chance to visit him before he succumbed to his wounds. “Normally they die on a battlefield and are never seen again,” Worden said. Twice as many Civil War soldiers died from disease as from battle wounds, historians say. That was due to widespread unsanitary conditions and that era’s general lack of understanding about infectious diseases such as typhoid and dysentery. Porter hopes to conduct walking tours of the Civil War graves at Oakwood this spring and summer. Hidden Treasure A lay person at the United Methodist Church in Mount Kisco, Porter recently uncovered a different kind of local history. While clearing out the crawl space under the church’s Halstead Memorial Hall, he discovered a chair that had once belonged to David F. Gorham, a local leader of the temperance movement. In 1907, Gorham gifted the village with its first piece of public art, a granite and concrete water fountain topped by a figure of a Native American, now fondly known as “Chief Kisco.” It was intended as a watering trough for horses. In keeping with his championing of complete abstinence from alcohol, Gorham had the base inscribed with the words: “God’s only beverage for man or beast.” The chair was in sorry shape, but that didn’t deter Porter. A retired wood shop teacher who now works in a hardware store, he took it apart, cleaned it up, repaired it, and donated it to the historical society for its museum. Porter had to use about 30 pieces of sandpaper to remove the blackened lacquer. The fact that such refinishing efforts would probably horrify the appraisers on Antiques Roadshow didn’t faze him one tiny bit. “I wanted people to sit on it,” Porter said. McCartney honored with Distinguished Service Award Harry McCartney It’s really heartening to be in environments where I can share my little bit of knowledge with friends, relatives, and community members.’ Harry McCartney HOME, AUTO, BUSINESS, LIFE & HEALTH 914-232-7750 www.forbesinsurance.com Donate: CommunityCenterNW.org Give to the Food Pantry at the Community Center
PAGE 4 – THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES APRIL 11 - MAY 8, 2024 BY CAROL REIF STAFF WRITER Mount Kisco may be poised to defund the Westchester County Police Department’s Community Resource Officer program, but the village will continue its mission of community law enforcement, local officials promise. Revealed March 18 during a presentation of the tentative 2024-2025 budget, the proposed change came as a surprise to lots of folks, including CRO Eddie Ramirez, who’s held that position for nearly two years. A number of residents wrote to the village, or spoke at an April 1 public hearing, either in strong support of, or in opposition to, maintaining the program. At the Village Board’s March 25 work session, both Village Manager Ed Brancati and Mayor Mike Cindrich strived to reassure the community that the basic mission of police reform and reinvention isn’t changing. Municipalities are mandated to maintain public safety while building mutual trust and respect between police and the people they protect and serve. “I don’t want people to think that the CRO is the only one engaged in community policing and (that) no other Westchester County Police officer detailed to Mount Kisco is doing community policing,” Brancati emphasized. Referring to Lt. Mike DeMaio, head of the WCPD’s Mount Kisco precinct, he said: “I know he and I are of the same mindset – as is the mayor – that every officer assigned to Mount Kisco should be doing community policing. They are and they will continue to do so.” Brancati understood that people have concerns about losing the CRO, but didn’t “see it as a taking away” but rather as “a shifting or reallocating of the resources we do have.” CRO Role Clarified In hopes of clarifying the differences between the role of CROs and patrol officers, WCPD spokesman Kieran O’Leary issued the following statement: “In addition to the community policing efforts of all officers assigned to the village, the CRO position adds an additional layer of service. Our CROs both in Mount Kisco and Cortlandt have more time, flexibility, and specialized training to address quality-of-life issues, prevent crime, solve neighborhood problems, and build relationships to achieve safer communities. Patrol officers are primarily tasked with responding to incidents, traffic accidents and a wide range of other calls for service throughout their tour. CROs do not have to jump from one radio call to another and have the time to focus primarily on the larger issues and concerns raised by the community.” The county police are “enormously proud of the work that P.O. Ramirez has done in Mount Kisco as its community resource officer,” it added. Citing departmental policy, Ramirez himself declined to comment on the situation. Options Weighed Besides supporting community policing by further training regular patrolmen, Cindrich has suggested that the county’s Mobile Crisis Response Team take on more of a role. Also under discussion are ways the village could support – albeit NOT financially – the Bedford School District’s possible assignment of a full-time School Resource Officer position at the Mount Kisco Elementary School. The district currently has two SROs. One serves the Fox Lane Middle School/High School and the other “floats” between its five elementary schools. The village said it’s trying to keep taxes increases as low as possible, so money is a big factor driving the move to cut the CRO program. Cindrich said it costs the village $250,000 above and beyond its base $7 million contract with the county for public safety services. That figure represents about 1.6 percent ($160,000) of the proposed 2024-2025 budget. Keeping the CRO program afloat could increase the tax rate – currently proposed for 2.45 percent – to approximately 4 percent, he said. Cindrich emphasized that Mount Kisco is “extremely fortunate” to have access to Westchester County Police services. Not only has that saved it money, but the village also no longer has to worry about things such as contracts and, more importantly, “the liability of policing in this day and age,” he explained, adding: “All of that now is the county’s responsibility.” Stability Desired It’s not unusual for county police officers assigned to Mount Kisco to be deployed elsewhere as needed. This movement means stability is one of the “challenges” of the village’s InterMunicipal Agreement with the county, Brancati said. That doesn’t mean that DeMaio isn’t “working to recruit and make sure that he has people here that want to be here and who want to engage in community policing,” he added. Mount Kisco has a “robust” policing Officials examine community law enforcement MOUNT KISCO VILLAGE BOARD SEE POLICING PAGE 26
APRIL 11 - MAY 8, 2024 THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES – PAGE 5 We asked our students: “Why did you choose KCPS?” “Strong academics, build my faith and opportunity for a fresh start and make new friends” - Georgia ‘27 Bedford “More structure and discipline” - Justin ‘27 Putnam Valley “Outstanding reputation for its education and sports” - Caroline ‘25 Carmel “Learned at Open House that Kennedy would academically & mentally prepare me for college better than my public high school” - Joel ‘25 Brewster Why Choose Kennedy Catholic Prep? Why Choose Kennedy Catholic Prep? SPRING OPEN HOUSE SPRING OPEN HOUSE Scan this code or visit kennedycatholic.org/admissions and select “INQUIRE TODAY” to register! see for yourself at see for yourself at Tuesday April 23rd 6pm - 8pm Tuesday April 23rd 6pm - 8pm all grades all grades welcome! welcome! “Kennedy provided me both the opportunity to play for a top Baseball program and get a top education” - John ‘26 Carmel
PAGE 6 – THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES APRIL 11 - MAY 8, 2024 BY TOM BARTLEY CONTRIBUTING WRITER “I never thought I’d be here 22 years.” With those words and a round of heartfelt thanks to many in Bedford town hall now and in the past—as far back as 2002—Lisbeth “Boo” Fumagalli rang down the curtain last week on her six-term tenure as custodian of every piece of paper and every byte of computer code that document her beloved town’s official life. Fumagalli will formally step down at month’s end with just under two years remaining in her final elected term. Alexandra “Allie” Walker, vice president of the Katonah-Bedford Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps, was appointed Tuesday (March 19) to fill the vacancy for the rest of this year and is expected to ask voters to keep her on the job in the future. But the ceremonial centerpiece of that evening’s Town Board session was Fumagalli, always a presence at the board’s twicemonthly meetings. Outspoken, possessing an ever-growing institutional memory as well as a firm grip on the fine print of local governance, Fumagalli was never shy about offering advice, perspective and corrections from her seat beside the board. Supervisor Ellen Calves, the latest in a line of five chief executives with whom Fumagalli has worked, praised the clerk in a Town Board proclamation that declared her “Bedford’s Ambassador” and cited her contributions to projects ranging from the new town website to insurance claims, the film ordinance and cemeteries and the installation of the new phone system. Always a people person, “Boo loved performing marriages,” the document proclaimed, and “was instrumental in having a New York State law passed to waive the marriage license for active-duty military personnel.” County Legislator Erika Pierce also presented Fumagalli with a similar proclamation voted by county lawmakers. She added that Fumagalli’s service will be celebrated on the county-owned Jumbotron in downtown White Plains. “So, your name will be in lights in front of the County Center on March 30,” Pierce told her. Fumagalli, at the microphone, said of her 22-year tenure, “It’s been wonderful, and I thank all of you for all of your help and support.” She specifically expressed appreciation for the mentoring provided her by the town’s long-serving Deputy Town Clerk Nina Kellogg. “She taught me everything I know,” Fumagalli said. Likely the only person in the room Tuesday with longer town service than Fumagalli, Kellogg has been the deputy clerk since Jan. 1, 1998, four years before Fumagalli came aboard. Kellogg marked a quarter-century in her key deputy’s role as 2023 dissolved into the new year. In an email interview after the meeting, Kellogg confirmed reports that she had been offered, but turned down, the interim appointment. Kellogg said she “was honored to be asked, but felt at this point in my life, it was in the best interest of the town to appoint someone else [to the town clerk position] and be a good No. 2.” Little Lisbeth Fumagalli was a kid growing up in Katonah when her father nicknamed her “Boodles,” a tag that has persisted as “Boo” throughout a lifetime of community service—elected, appointed and volunteer— in government and elsewhere. Long before entering Bedford’s electoral contests, Fumagalli had already been twice elected to the Katonah-Lewisboro school board, serving four years as its president, following her interim appointment to fill a vacancy in 1992. She was also a member of the Katonah Village Improvement Society, served on the board of the Bedford Hills Neighborhood Association, volunteered at the Community Center of Northern Westchester and the Katonah Memorial Park Association and was a member and officer of the Bedford Hills Lion Club. For years Fumagalli was president of the Westchester Clerks Association and an officer of the state Town Clerks Association. She was voted Town and District Clerk of the Year in 2014. Elected to the clerk’s position in the immediate aftermath of 9-11, she stepped into an office on Jan. 1, 2002, that still compiled Bedford bids farewell to Fumagalli Town Clerk retires after 22 years Bedford Town Clerk Boo Fumagalli holds the proclamation presented to mark her retirement. PHOTO COURTESY OF TOWN OF BEDFORD SEE FUMAGALLI PAGE 28 Offering the Unique Flavors of Asian Cuisine 914-232-3900 tengdakatonah.com 286 Katonah Ave. Katonah Spring Menu Items in Full Bloom!
APRIL 11 - MAY 8, 2024 THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES – PAGE 7 N O W T H R U F E B R U A RY 11T H SAVE AN EXTRA 10% OFF OUR WINTER SALE PRICES ON ALL FABRIC AND LEATHER SEATING: SOFAS, SECTIONALS, LOVESEATS, CHAIRS, RECLINERS AND MORE! PLUS GET AN EXTRA 5% ON ADDITIONAL PIECES* TO COMPLETE YOUR ROOM TOTAL SAVINGS UP TO 50% OFF HOME FURNISHINGS • MATTRESSES • KIDS’ ROOMS HOME OFFICE • LIGHTING • WINDOW TREATMENTS AREA RUGS • ART • HOME DECOR COMPLIMENTARY DESIGN SERVICES 230 RTE 117 BYPASS ROAD BEDFORD HILLS, NY 10507, 914.241.7000 COUNTRYWILLOW.COM *Offer not valid on purchases of gift cards, previously purchased merchandise, clearance items, balances, special discounts, delivery charges, furniture protection, Ekornes, Hunter Douglas, American Leather, BDI, and Serta. Other limitations may apply. BY CAROL REIF STAFF WRITER Mount Kisco Democrats have picked their candidates for Village Board and town justice. Seeking trustee positions are incumbent Karen Schleimer and Tom Luzio, who ran for mayor last year but lost to then-deputy mayor Lisa Abzun in the June primaries. Luzio is now chair of the Democratic Committee and he plans to stay on in that post at least through the fall elections. Mark F. Farrell, also a former mayor, is running for town justice, a position he’s held since 2004. Abzun was beaten by former mayor Michael Cindrich, who ran with trustee hopefuls Angie Guerra and Theresa Flora on the Village Inclusive Party (VIP) line. Abzun’s term is also up this year, but as of press time she had not announced if she intended to run again. Luzio said it’s a possibility that other Democratic hopefuls could force a primary, or that independent or Republican challengers could enter the field. Again, as of press time, no names had emerged. LUZIO An attorney, Luzio worked for several decades as a special prosecutor before going into private practice. His reasons for running remain the same. “I spent a career in public service. I see it as an extension of my devotion to public service,” he said, adding that he was looking forward to working with the current board “on many of the same issues that we talked about throughout 2023.” Those issues include greater transparency and the protection of green space. He, along with Flora, was one of the folks who last year successfully advocated against siting a cell tower in Leonard Park. Luzio also plans to fight for a stronger local ethics law that would require full financial disclosure. The aim is to, he has said, avoid any appearance of impropriety on the part of elected officials and high-ranking village/ town employees. He said his legal background has prepared him well for working with law enforcement and other agencies on pressing issues such as traffic safety. Luzio’s curriculum vitae, aka CV is long. He was a pro bono legal advisor for the Westchester Police Training Task Force, an unpaid policy advisor on Westchester District Attorney Mimi Rocah’s transition team, an assistant attorney general, a narcotics bureau chief in the county DA’s office, a deputy bureau chief with the Queens County DA’s office, an assistant DA in Kings County, and an electronics technician with the FBI. He earned his doctorate in Looking to November Democrats choose candidates for Village Board, Town Justice Mark F. Farrell Tom Luzio Karen Schleimer SEE CANDIDATES PAGE 29
An iconic cast member on one of the most highly acclaimed television series of all time, “The Sopranos,” walked down the aisle of the auditorium at nearby John Jay High School. Wearing jeans and a sweater, Edie Falco looked way more casual than her character ever did, but her voice was immediately recognizable. Carmela Soprano. “I grew up on Long Island, in a Swedish/Italian American household,” said Falco, now a resident of Pound Ridge. “I knew exactly who this woman was,” she said, referring to Carmela, the wife of crime boss Tony Soprano. “It’s not a mafia series. It’s about a family.” The students’ excitement for Falco’s visit was palpable in their silence as she spoke, and their exuberance for taking selfies with her afterwards. For ninety minutes, students asked Falco about her life and her career. She responded as an award-winning actor, and as a mom. Falco told the students that was introduced to acting through her mom, who did community theater. She overcame her natural shyness to audition for her high school’s plays and musicals and discovered that she loved being on stage. “There’s nothing as much fun as the school show,” she said. She went to SUNY Purchase because it was affordable. “That’s how the whole thing happened,” she said. Her voice teacher told her that she knew how to act. “Go out there and do it.” Falco told the students the thru line in her life has been acting. “I almost didn’t audition for ‘The Sopranos,’” she said. “I had a job—I was in ‘Oz.’ I thought it was about singers. I could have so easily missed it. Only long after shooting it did we realize it was going to be big. The way things unfold in life has been magical.” In response to a question regarding how she defines success, Falco mentioned her son who’s about to graduate from high school and a daughter who’s in tenth grade. “I turn a lot of stuff down because I moved up here,” she said. “As you get older your perspective changes.” Lewis asked the last question. “You’re speaking to a room full of kids about to graduate. What do you tell your 17-year-old self?” “Stop worrying,” said Falco. “It will work out.” Article courtesy of Katonah-Lewisboro School District. PAGE 8 – THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES APRIL 11 - MAY 8, 2024 Pound Ridge’s Edie Falco shares words of wisdom Falco posed for pictures and spoke about her career. Contact ANTHONY J. ENEA, ESQ. Managing Member • Fluent in Italian 914.948.1500 WHITE PLAINS • SOMERS • WWW.ESSLAWFIRM.COM • Asset Protection • Elder Law • Medicaid Applications (Nursing Home/Home Care) • Guardianships (Contested/Non-Contested) • Wills, Trusts & Estates Past Chair of Elder Law Section of NYS Bar Association “Super Lawyer” In Elder Law for 16 consecutive years CALL NEW YORK’S ELDER LAW TEAM 914.948.1500 Do you know what the cost of your long-term care will be if you are not eligible for Medicaid?
APRIL 11 - MAY 8, 2024 THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES – PAGE 9 “A Hidden Gem…” –Westchester Magazine 100 Route 202 • Lincolndale, NY 10540 • (914) 245-5588 www.anglebrookgc.com • [email protected] Be a Member for a Day, Book Your Event Today! For All Your Catering Needs Banquets, Receptions & Golf Outings Birthdays, Anniversaries, & Graduations Small & Large Conference Rooms Spectacular Setting with Fine & Casual Dining Options Reduced Membership Rates Private club available for non-member functions The Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester (BGCNW) celebrated its Annual Youth of the Year Award Ceremony on Tuesday, March 26, at Crabtree’s Kittle House in Chappaqua. Attended by 165 supporters and friends, the evening featured inspiring speeches by five extraordinary teens who earlier in the evening were interviewed by a distinguished panel of judges. After the judges’ deliberations, three winners were announced to rounds of applause. Grace Gerosa, a junior at Pleasantville High School, is the winner of the Youth of the Year Award. Grace has been a Club member for 10 years and a competitive swimmer for 12 years. At PHS, she is a social media manager for her varsity swim team, the Vice President for Sources of Strength and a member of the Youth Leadership Task Force. She volunteers at Fox Hill Farms. Zayaan Hussain, who is a senior at Horace Greeley High School, received the Chris Curti Memorial Scholarship Award. He is a Club member for 10 years, on the Marlins swim team for 9 years, swam in the National Level Paralympics competition, and volunteers at interfaith events, peer leadership and executive roles in school clubs. Xio Nieves, who is a senior at Fox Lane High School and Club member of six years, received the Wilfred E. Jennings Leadership Award. Xio is a Junior Staff member and 2-time Youth of the Year finalist. For the past two years, all of the winners have traveled to Albany with Club leadership to advocate on behalf of critical programming impacting NYS youth and families. The other finalists were: Katie O’Donnell, a sophomore at John Jay High School, has been a member of the Club for 11 years and is part of the Marlins swim team. Paige Fagan, a senior at Lakeland High School, has been a Club member for 10 years. She works for the Club as a water safety instructor teaching younger members of the Club how to swim. The winner of the BGCNW Youth of the Year advances to a state-level event. The winner is tasked with participating in events, public speaking, and serving as a thought leader and advocate for their Club and community. They receive the benefit of a generous college scholarship, mentorship, and networking opportunities. For more information, visit https:// bgcnw.com/ Article courtesy of Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester. Local students honored at Boys & Girls Club youth awards Fox Lane’s Nieves receives leadership award Officials from St. Vincent’s Hospital Westchester, a division of Saint Joseph’s Medical Center, and the St. Vincent’s Auxiliary Board joined together this last month to celebrate the winners of the 32nd Annual Youth Awards. Fox Lane High School’s Ava Kellner was among the twenty two high school students from schools in Westchester County, Rockland County and Fairfield County, CT who were on hand to receive their awards. Joining them were the students’ families, high school guidance counselors and school representatives. In addition to the St. Vincent’s Youth Award, the students received U.S. Congressional Certificates of Achievement. St. Vincent’s Annual Youth Awards were established in 1993 by the Auxiliary Board to recognize young people who support St. Vincent’s values, and to promote lifelong patterns of volunteerism. Every year they honor students from area high schools whose volunteer service best exemplifies St. Vincent’s values. Article courtesy of Saint Joseph’s Medical Center. Fox Lane’s Ava Kellner wins St. Vincent’s Youth Award The award recognizes young people who support St. Vincent’s values, and promotes lifelong patterns of volunteerism.
EDITORIAL PAGE 10 – THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES 118 N, BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ©2024 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC Letters to the editor and op-ed submissions may be edited. The views and opinions expressed in letters and op-eds are not necessarily those of The Mt. Kisco-Bedford Times or its affiliates. Submissions must include a phone 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 914-302-5830 BRETT FREEMAN, PUBLISHER TOM WALOGORSKY , EDITOR TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL, CREATIVE DIRECTOR Editorial Office: 914-302-5830 [email protected]. APRIL 11 - MAY 8, 2024 Benjamin Franklin once famously wrote, “be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.” Franklin always struck me as a worldly guy and his idea of self-improvement is definitely something to strive for. Plus, he appears on currency. To go head-to-head with our vices, my wife Maggie and I recently embarked on a 21-day sugar detox. I’ll bet Benjamin Franklin never went three weeks without a piece of candy. I don’t consider myself to have much of a sweet tooth. Don’t misunderstand. I enjoy sugary snacks as much as the next person, with a particular penchant for peanut butter pretzels and mint chocolate chip ice cream. (Maggie insists that’s just frozen toothpaste, but no marriage is perfect.) If I can take or leave the cookies and candy, a 21-day sugar detox should be easy, right? Wrong. The problem with three weeks off the sugar wagon is not avoiding the cakes and pies. The real difficulty comes when you realize that sugar is in EVERYTHING. Hidden Figures Don’t believe me? Go have a look at the nutritional information of anything in your cupboard or refrigerator. Sugar molecules are anything ending in “ose” (dextrose, fructose, glucose, lactose, maltose and sucrose). This makes for a lengthy list of “no” foods, including any bread and refined carbohydrates, sauces and condiments, and all types of fruit with natural sugars. Even things like skim milk, peanuts and my beloved Costco rotisserie chicken were now forbidden. Basically, the list of “yes” foods included all meat and fish, vegetables and a handful of “limit foods,” including certain types of beans and one green apple a day. If nothing else, doing a detox for a few weeks is eye-opening to how much sugar is in everything we consume on a daily basis. Battle Plan For anyone who might be inspired by this column to undertake a sugar detox, I can say that your best chance to succeed comes from proper planning. Maggie and I made meal prep and bulk shopping a top priority and were able to set ourselves up for grumpy, sugar-free success each week. We would cook mass quantities of vegetables and chicken on Sunday, which would prepare us nicely once the hectic work week began. The detox also challenged us to go outside the box with menu planning and not rely on some of the familiar comfort foods that we all fall back on once life gets busy. I also discovered that casting aside the idea of traditional breakfasts in favor of grilled chicken and veggies was helpful to get me over the longing for my usual bowl of cereal in the morning. Once we got over the hump of the first few days, replacing my normal pretzel rods with mixed nuts for a go-to snack and avoiding late Ben Franklin never faced Girl Scout cookies Our eye-opening 21-day sugar detox TOM WALOGORSKY TOM’S TAKE A few short weeks ago, we told you about the newly-formed Empire State Local News Coalition. Halston Media Group is proud to be a member of this fast-growing group of over 150 New York local news outlets that have joined forces to protect local journalism across the state. The work of our coalition has raised awareness of the importance of local journalism as well as the challenges facing the local news industry. (New York has lost half of its newsrooms since 2004!) We are grateful to communities across the state who have united behind us. In just the past month, we rallied in Westchester, where locals were stunned by the abrupt closure of three community newspapers. We went directly to Albany to appeal to lawmakers and where we also rallied with elected officials from both the senate and assembly. Numerous localities have adopted resolutions expressing their support for legislation that would support local journalism, and more municipal resolutions are in the pipeline. Even unconventional allies like Microsoft have joined our calls to save local news. Thanks to these collective efforts, the Local Journalism Sustainability Act – which would provide tax credits to local news organizations for retaining and creating newsroom jobs – was included in the State Senate’s recent budget proposal for fiscal year 2025. This is a key step for inclusion in the state’s final budget, which is currently being negotiated by the Senate, Assembly and Governor Hochul. However, there is a lot of work to be done over the next few days, when the final budget will likely be announced, to ensure the bill is actually included in the state’s final budget. It is crucial that the Local Journalism Sustainability Act is included; otherwise, communities throughout the state risk thousands of newsroom jobs being lost and even more important stories going untold. The Local Journalism Sustainability Act is sponsored by NYS Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal with the bipartisan support of Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner and more than 70 co-sponsors. As newspapers shutter and layoffs roil the industry, the bill is a necessary measure for incentivizing job creation, returning reporters to many of the state’s emptying newsrooms. The bill is contentneutral and designed to ensure that truly local news outlets will receive this assistance. The leadership of the Legislature’s Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Caucus has also endorsed our bill, which is a major testament to the fact that this bill will improve access to news for all communities. New Yorkers are standing with local news, and now lawmakers must answer the people’s call to save community journalism. To get the Local Journalism Sustainability Act across the finish line, lawmakers must hear from you about why our newspaper matters (and why our friendly competitors also matter) and why this bill is meaningful to you and your family. So, if keeping local news alive in our state is important to you, please reach out to Governor Hochul and your local representatives to let them know you stand with local news. Budget negotiations are wrapping up imminently – the time to act is now! Time to act is now Support the Local Journalism Sustainability Act Support the New York Local Journalism Sustainability Act Contact Governor Kathy Hochul: 518-474-8390 Contact Senator Shelley Mayer: 518-455-2031 Contact Senator Pete Harckham: 518-455-2340 Contact Assemblyman Chris Burdick: 518-455-5397 Our newspaper is a proud member of the Empire State Local News Coalition: support the coalition at SaveNYLocalNews.com. SEE TOM’S TAKE PAGE 14
APRIL 11 - MAY 8, 2024 OPINION THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES – PAGE 11 We see you here. The things you love doing are more than just passions. They’re what make you “you.” This is why at The Bristal, our expert team members dedicate their time, attention, and energy to creating customized social activities that ensure each resident continues being the unique person they are. And, in the process, create the one-of-a-kind community we are, too. Schedule your visit today and see for yourself. THE BRISTAL AT ARMONK | 914.444.2636 THE BRISTAL AT WHITE PLAINS | 914.862.7667 thebristal.com Licensed by the State Department of Health. Eligible for Most Long Term Care Policies. Equal Housing Opportunity. Independent Living | Assisted Living | Memory Care Echoing Mark Twain’s 1897 sentiment: “The reports of craft beer’s death have been greatly exaggerated,” today’s craft beer scene is thriving with an overwhelming variety of breweries and styles. This abundance, though seemingly unsustainable, is backed by industry observations. The New York Times and the International Food and Beverage Consortium recently noted, “After a Boom, Craft Beer Considers a New Creed: Less Is More,” highlighting a shift towards core styles and quality over quantity. Yet, there’s a silver lining. Bart Watson, Chief Economist for The Brewer’s Association, provides an optimistic outlook: “While many individual businesses are struggling, there is good news … independent brewers still sell more than one out of eight beers in the U.S.; beer drinkers spend roughly one out of four beer dollars on beer from a small and independent brewer; and the industry remains a source of jobs and community across the country.” With my press credential (KBM hat) at the ready, I embarked on a journey to the NYC Craft Beer Week Opening Bash in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, to witness these trends firsthand. The event was a beer aficionado’s dream: 875 attendees, 80 different beverage brands, and nearly 200 unique beers. The atmosphere was electric with anticipation among the attendees queuing outside Industry City. The venue, a vast refurbished warehouse, resonated with funky grooves from a live DJ – a common feature at such events. Brewers, lined up along the perimeter, eagerly awaited the opportunity to showcase their brews. Practicality was key. With each of the 80 breweries presenting at least two offerings, it was clear that sampling every beer was neither feasible nor advisable. Preparation was essential, especially since this was a daytime event and I had plans to be a considerate dinner companion for Mrs. KBM later on. I strategically sampled beers, prioritizing new offerings from familiar brewers and then focusing on those from breweries I hadn’t encountered before. A ‘Fest like a pro Navigating the craft beer renaissance A collage of four images from the beer festival COLLAGE COURTESY OF JOHN BART JOHN BART THE KATONAH BEER MAN SEE BEER PAGE 12 Beyond left and right Navigating the political playlist DON SCOTT IN CASE YOU MISSED IT SEE SCOTT PAGE 12 Recent political events on the national stage remind me of the Chinese curse, “May you live in interesting times.” As we gear up for one of the longest election seasons ever, I came across an interesting book, “The Myth of Left and Right: How the political spectrum misleads and harms America,” by Hyrum and Verlan Lewis. As the title would indicate, it provides food for thought about whether our political spectrum is serving us well, especially as we run the gauntlet for the next several months of never ending partisan political messaging premised on negative partisanship, i.e. if you vote for the other guy the world is going to end. I’ve written before about my concerns with the hyper partisan times we live in, which produce a lot of vitriol, but few concrete solutions to a wide range of important problems we face. The authors examine our long history of using the notion of left wing or right wing to divide into political parties. Most party faithful operate under the theory that there is some kind of ideological consistency or “essence” that explains their position on a wide range of unrelated topics. Abortion, the border, tax policy, the size of government, foreign policy to name just a few. Most of us believe our political affiliations come from some philosophically coherent through line that connects our positions on a multitude of issues. Does the world really work that way? They present evidence that social connections may be a better predictor of our political ideology. Your friends’ and
useful tip for fellow attendees: if a particular beer doesn’t suit your taste, it’s acceptable and common practice to discreetly dispose of it in designated areas. No brewer takes offense at this. Nourishment is crucial. Thanks to the array of food trucks offering diverse global cuisines, maintaining the Beer-Food-Equilibrium (BFE™) was a delicious endeavor. Alcohol content awareness is crucial. I began with session beers (5% ABV or less), gradually moving to stronger options only after enjoying hearty food, like the delightful Jamaican Beef Patty and Chili from Branch Patty. Water breaks were essential for maintaining balance and hydration. Highlighting standouts, Fidens Blending Dreams was a memorable fruited sour, indicating a trend towards imaginative sours. Other noteworthy mentions included Ramstein Ink’s perfect coffee-infused Schwarz Ale and the environmentally conscious Cool Cousin Brewing’s innovative brewing methods. Loved both their Raw IPA and Raw Kolsch. Alewife, with their charmingly blatant recognition of KBM, also left a lasting impression. Best Brewery Name: Prison Pals. Best Nitro: Flagship Brewery Wolfhound Nitros: Red & Stout brought super smooth deliciousness. Best Pilsner: Halfway Crooks Active Low Pilsner. Best T-shirt: “Don’t drink beer with racists.” Best New Take on Craft Beer & Food: Miles the Prince is a new restaurant/brewery in White Plains that will uniquely combine elevated food with bespoke beers. I tried and loved their Trudy Dortmunder Export 5.6%. Stay tuned for a profile in an upcoming article. As the event wound down, it was evident that while consolidation was apparent – most brewers showcased a select few beers – the passion and enthusiasm of both brewers and attendees signaled a vibrant future for the craft beer industry. Upcoming Beer Fests Festchester: Westchester’s Craft Beer Festival, April 20 and 21, Alternative Medicine Brewing Company, 29 Elm Ave., Ste 1A, Mt Vernon; festchester.com. Suds on the Sound Craft Beer Festival: May 11, 2 - 6 p.m. Rye Town Beach The Katonah Beer Man can be reached at [email protected] or visit thekatonahbeerman.wordpress.com. Please check out our friends at Vista Beverage, vistabeerandbeverage.com; 204 Oakridge Commons, South Salem; 914-533-7512. family’s political affiliation is most likely the same as yours. Most pick the tribe first, red or blue, then adopt the policy positions and talking points that go with the package. Each have their own playlist. The “essentialist” theory starts to fall apart when you realize that each side of the spectrum has pitched opposite positions on many issues in the recent past. Bernie Sanders and Cesar Chavez opposed open borders due to the impact it would have on workers’ wages. George W. Bush grew the government more than Barack Obama. Barry Goldwater was pro-abortion rights. The current foreign policy hawks and interventionists were doves and isolationists in the 60s and 80s. The current day “right” doesn’t seem to care much about debt, deficits or free-trade. Richard Nixon started the EPA. There are countless other examples. As a Jets fan, I believe that, obviously, Joe Namath was the greatest quarterback of all time. If you wear the jersey, there are certain positions you’re going to adopt. Seems to be the same with political positions as well. If you are on my team, you’re good. You’re on the other team, you’re bad. I agree with the authors that ideological thinking rooted in tribal partisanship stifles open-mindedness. We are more prone to confirmation bias, which causes us only to listen to things that support the talking points we are given and not give any time to points of view that might challenge us to think again. Our politics would be better served by adopting a more humble approach and a willingness to change our minds after we listen. The percentage of the population that identifies as independent has never been higher in our lifetime at 43%. Maybe that’s a sign that the old left versus right convention may be breaking down. The authors believe that the left/ right labeling system is unhelpful. The first step towards making things better is to stop referring to politicians and one another as leftwingers or right-wingers. Instead, they recommend going granular. When discussing politics, refer to politicians and others as pro-tax-cut or pro-choice or pro-free-trade. Use labels that refer to issues, not political spectrum. Labels that inform rather than pigeonhole. Only then can we address problems rather than perpetuating unhelpful tribalism. Treat people as individuals, not members of one side or the other. Those small changes won’t solve all of our problems, but it might improve the prospects for civil dialogue and give rise to problem solving. Only 208 days until election day. PAGE 12 – THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES OPINION APRIL 11 - MAY 8, 2024 SCOTT FROM PAGE 11 BEER FROM PAGE 11 Excellent rotating beers at Vista Beverage • vistabeerandbeverage.com • 204 Oakridge Commons, South Salem • 914-533-7512 We've received a grant to better serve those with disabilities. We want to hear from individuals touched by neurodiversity, intellectual or developmental disabilities (Autism, ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder, and Down syndrome) and their families, to share their insights, ideas, and opinions as to how the grant money should be spent. Please contact us for information to join via Zoom. Community Conversation ENGAGE, CONNECT, DISCUSS Saturday, May 4TH at 3 PM at the library and on Zoom* 271 WESTCHESTER AVE POUND RIDGE NY 914-764-5085 RSVP at poundridgelibrary.org on the calendar or scan the QR code. For individuals directly impacted by neurodiversity, intellectual or developmental disabilities. questions? email: [email protected] 845-279-9555 • TankRemovalServices.com Before you place your home on the market, contact ENVIROSTAR about replacing your aging underground storage tank (UST). It is required by most insurance companies prior to insuring property. We replace above ground tanks as well! Call us today for a free estimate and evaluation of your current above ground tank. SPRING SPECIAL! $100 OFF IN-GROUND TANK REMOVAL With this coupon only. Coupon must be presented at the time of the estimate. Not to be combined with any other offers. Expires 5/31/24 FREE ESTIMATES WE WILL MATCH OUR COMPETITOR’S ADVERTISED OFFER! We are the name you trust for environmental needs Since 1998 DON’T GET CAUGHT WITH AN AGING OIL TANK!
APRIL 11 - MAY 8, 2024 OPINION THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES – PAGE 13 914.455.2158 SpirelliElectric.com • [email protected] Specializing in residential & commercial services. Licenses in Westchester, Putnam CREATING CUSTOMERS FOR LIFE Family Owned—Over 40 Years Experience! $25 OFF Service Calls When You Present This Ad. New Customers Only. Keep the lights on. • GENERATORS • Outdoor Lighting • Smart Home Setup • Electric Car Chargers AND ALL OF YOUR ELECTRIC NEEDS! Our Fences Include: Chain Link Aluminum Wood Vinyl Deer Fencing Railings scrfence.com | 914-302-2552 GOOD FENCES MAKE GOOD NEIGHBORS. -Robert Frost See Our Great Selection of Styles & Colors! Material Also Available for DIY. 2013 Crompond Road Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 [email protected] Westchester’s Leading Fence Installer Proud To Be Locally Owned Building Superior Fences at Competitive Prices Proudly Partnered With AFA (American Fence Association) BUYING ONLY 845-628-0362 WE WILL COME TO YOU! 53 WE BUY: YEARS! Gold • Sterling Silver Jewelry • Coins Paintings • Bronzes Clocks • Collectibles Antiques • ETC. Items for sale? Call us! Welcome to “News & Notes,” where we look at the happenings here in Westchester County. April is a big birthday month for the Jeffers family. My wife, daughter, sister and many dear friends all celebrate, so right after I take out a loan for my gift buying, I will write this week’s “Birthday Bash” edition of “News & Notes.” As a Bedford Hills Lion, I want to roar out to my fellow Somers Lions as they are hosting the very popular pancake breakfast on April 21 from 8 a.m. to noon at Somers High School. My friend Bruce tells me that this is a great way to give back to the community. The proceeds are given to local families in need and local charities like Friends of Karen, Make A Wish and many other worthy causes. Speaking of the Bedford Hills Lions, you can donate glasses for the Lions International Eyeglass Collection Program. Each pair symbolizes a brighter future for someone in need. Together, we’re making a tangible difference, one lens at a time. Let’s continue spreading love and vision across the globe. You can find the collection boxes at the following locations: Katonah Village Library, Bedford Hills Community House and the Town of Bedford Town Clerk’s Office. The cool gang at Caramoor presents the Pacifica Quartet at 3 p.m. on April 14. With their unrivaled virtuosity and infectious energy, the Pacifica Quartet owns a well-deserved reputation as one of the most esteemed chamber ensembles of our time. Pacifica will showcase works by Erich Wolfgang Korngold and Louis Gruenberg, two composers behind many classic Hollywood scores of the 1940s and ’50s. The Katonah Museum of Art presents “Artists in Conversation: Sanford Biggers and Michelle Yun Mapplethorpe” on Saturday, April 27, at 5:30 p.m. Artist Sanford Biggers speaks with KMA Executive Director Michelle Yun Mapplethorpe about his practice and process as they relate to the themes of the exhibition. Refreshments to follow. Our friends at the Paramount Hudson Valley Theater in Peekskill have some awesome April shows planned. On April 13, it’s one hot night as Benise, “The Prince of Spanish Guitar,” and his Emmy Award winning production come to town as part of his global tour. Then on April 20, it’s the “Best of the Eagles,” hailed as the ultimate tribute to the iconic rock band, as they flawlessly capture the essence of the Eagles’ timeless music. The Katonah Village Library will host “Demystifying Medicare and Healthcare for Seniors,” at 10:15 a.m. on April 27. Demystifying Medicare is perfect for anyone trying to navigate our complicated healthcare system for older adults. It’s for people who already have Medicare, as well as those soon to be 65, planning their retirement, or assisting relatives and friends with paperwork and medical decisions. In this engaging interactive session, you will learn about the various parts of Medicare and the costs associated with medical and drug insurance provided by the government and private companies. This old joke always brings a smile to my face: “If April showers bring May flowers, what do Mayflowers bring? Pilgrims!” See you next time! Welcome to the News & Notes of April MARK JEFFERS NEWS & NOTES
PAGE 14 – THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES OPINION APRIL 11 - MAY 8, 2024 FOR ALL YOUR PLUMBING, HOT WATER HEATER & GAS NEEDS 60 Years of Excellence 719 Rte. 6, Mahopac, NY 10541 • 845.628.3924 • beeandjay.com TAKE $50 OFF ANY DEWINTERIZATION— HOSEBIBS, POOL HOUSES AND OUTDOOR SHOWERS INTO ACTION! Spring We Carry A Complete Line of BioGuard Pool Treatments night cravings while working became much easier. Temptation still reared its ugly head from time to time, especially when we attended a minor league hockey game and realized that our options from the snack bar were severely limited. (“I’ll have two delicious bottles of water, please.”) With only a few days remaining, a friend presented me with a box of Girl Scout cookies. He was understandably confused when I politely screamed at him. Nobody said this would be easy. How Sweet It Is The clock ran out on sugar detox just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, and Maggie and I celebrated our success with corned beef and cabbage with a side of her delicious soda bread (with double the sugar in the recipe for good measure). I’ll admit that the next day was a bit of a shock to the digestive system since we followed up three weeks of healthy eating with a feast of sugary carbs and fatty meat. What happened to the good old college days when I could subsist on a diet of pizza and keg beer and bounce back without a problem? Nobody tells you these things about getting older. Things have since evened out in our house, and we have stuck to our plan to follow up the sugar detox with continued healthier (but slightly less strict) eating habits. And I still have yet to break into the Girl Scout cookies. I think Ben Franklin would be proud. Tom Walogorsky thinks $100 could buy a lot of mint chocolate chip ice cream. Contact him at walogorsky@ halstonmedia.com. TOM’S TAKE FROM PAGE 10 As someone who has seen firsthand the power of civic engagement and the importance of every voice being heard, I want to talk about something crucial to the health of our democracy: primaries. These are not just preliminary elections but the heartbeat of our democratic process. Growing up in the Jim Crow South, my family fought and bled for this fundamental right that would allow Barack Obama, and even me, to participate in our democracy in an election as a candidate for any office. Primaries are where the conversation starts. They are where diverse candidates step forward with their visions for our future, and we, as voters, get to engage with those ideas and make informed decisions. This is where democracy comes to life, in the exchange of ideas and the robust debate that shapes and strengthens our policies. But primaries are more than just a debate stage. They are a tool for accountability, ensuring our political parties and their leaders remain connected to the people they serve. Despite their importance, the role of primaries in our democratic process is often underappreciated and even threatened. We’ve seen attempts to cancel or diminish their significance in certain states and parties, which not only undermines the democratic process but also erodes public trust in our political institutions. Right here in the Hudson Valley, a region known for its vibrant democratic spirit, a concerning situation is unfolding. A candidate running for office who claims to champion the values of democracy is working to undermine one of its fundamental pillars: the primary process. This individual is pressing local party leaders to rush endorsements, effectively sidelining the voices of party members and voters and attempting to block the opportunity for a primary election. Ironically, someone who claims to stand apart from Washington politics is resorting to tactics that seem all too familiar in the corridors of power. These maneuvers remind us that vigilance is required at all levels of our political system. Democracy thrives on transparency, competition and the active participation of the electorate. Any attempt to bypass these fundamentals should be met with scrutiny and resistance. Moreover, primaries are vital for fostering political participation and engagement among the broader electorate. They spark interest in the political process, encouraging people to register to vote and turn out at the polls. They provide a valuable civic education opportunity, helping voters understand the issues, the candidates, and how our political system works. If we genuinely care about the health of our democracy, we must recognize the essential role of primaries. They are not just a step in the electoral process but the heartbeat of our democratic system. By valuing and protecting primaries, we safeguard the health of our democracy and ensure that it remains responsive to the will of the people. Let’s embrace the spirit of active participation and robust competition that primaries embody, for it is through this engagement that our democracy thrives and endures. MaryAnn Carr is running in the Democrat primary for U.S. Congress in New York’s 17th district, which includes our entire readership area. She previously served as councilwoman and supervisor in the Town of Bedford. The heartbeat of democracy Why primaries matter MARYANN CARR GUEST COLUMNIST
APRIL 11 - MAY 8, 2024 THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES – PAGE 15 I n recent years many major banks have become more restrictive on how they will allow accounts to be opened and the title of said accounts. For example, many clients have advised that some large banks will not allow accounts for a trust to be opened where there are two or more CoTrustees. They also have decided not to honor a Power of Attorney that requires the agents to act together even though it is explicitly permitted by law. I recently personally experienced a major bank not being able to title an account in trust for three children in each of their names … “in equal shares per stirpes.” Thus, allowing that if a child did not survive the owner of the account that the child’s share would be distributed to their surviving “issue,” being, children and/or grandchildren, outright, in equal shares. I was advised by the bank officer that their computer system did not permit the designation… “in equal share per stirpes” to be entered. When I explained to the bank officer that without such a designation being made, if a child did not survive the account owner, their share may not go to their children, but to their “estate” or to their surviving siblings, I was advised that on the death of the account owner, the issue of account beneficiaries would be handled by the bank’s… “decedent processing team.” This did not give me a great deal of comfort, especially since the client wanted the account to pass to her bloodline and not to the spouses of her children. She was concerned that if the account only went to her surviving children, there was no guarantee they would give a pre-deceased child’s share to his or her children surviving. Interestingly, I have not encountered these issues with the smaller regional banks that we work with or brokerage firms. They regularly open the accounts titled the way the client wishes, if legally permissible. In conclusion, as I have said many times, the details are very important and clearly when opening an “in trust for” or “payable on death” account at a large bank, the details are critical. Anthony J. Enea is the managing partner of Enea, Scanlan and Sirignano, LLP of White Plains, N.Y. He focuses his practice on Wills, Trusts, Estates and Elder Law. Anthony is the Past Chair of the Elder Law and Special Needs Section of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA), and is the past Chair of the 50+ Section of the NYSBA. He is a Past President and Founding member of the New York Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). Anthony is also the Immediate Past President of the Westchester County Bar Foundation and a Past President of the Westchester County Bar Association. He is also fluent in Italian. He can be reached at 914-948-1500 or a.enea@ esslawfirm.com. Titling of an ‘In Trust for’ account at a large bank may pose a challenge! FOCUS ON ELDER LAW ANTHONY J. ENEA GUEST CORNER Interestingly, I have not encountered these issues with the smaller regional banks that we work with or brokerage firms.’ -Anthony J. Enea, managing partner Enea, Scanlan and Sirignano, LLP
PAGE 16 THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMBY CAROL REIF STAFF WRITER Traditional pub culture has found a home in downtown Mount Kisco, thanks to the efforts of two intrepid entrepreneurs and their army of supporters. Drew and Leigh Hodgson already own and operate The Hamlet Shop, a store on South Moger Avenue that carries authentic British foods and goods, as well as vinyl records and books. It’s beloved by expats and Anglophiles alike. (Drew was born and raised in England; Leigh hails from Virginia.) Now the Hodgsons are hoping that their latest venture – The Ambleside Pub – will also tap into that wellspring of yearning for the traditional English experience. The couple recently christened the new watering hole by toasting – with brimming pints of their own cask ale, of course -- the dozens of family members, friends, and others who’d helped them on their journey. Among the happy elbowing-bending crowd were several local restauranteurs and café owners. (As of this writing, Ambleside wasn’t officially open, but the Hodgsons were shooting for early April.) Located just a hop, skip, and a jump away on East Main Street, the old-school pub’s proximity to The Hamlet prompted Drew to joke that corner of the village was starting to look like “Little England.” The list of folks to thank was long, but Hodgson made special note of lifelong friend and former bandmate Rhett Lee, who, along with his wife, Lynne, literally picked up stakes and moved cross country to help out. That Lee had absolutely no hands-on experience running a pub didn’t deter either him from agreeinmanager. Rhett and Lynne wSaturday evening buzfrom the kitchen witproper Brit grub sucCornish pasties (hanmushy peas. Also on offer willcrisps, what Americachips. But make no mistaHodgson emphasizesAs in traditional ptable service or barstoPatrons are encournook to hang out in bhandcrafted oak bar vorite tipple and placThere will be winenon-alcoholic beveragOverseeing the huTommy Joseph, Leigh Hodgson, Dianna Cardillo, and Drew Hodgson Allisoand RRev. Kyle T. Martindale of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and his wife, Trish Zuniga Ilene and Eric Marcos Ambleside Pub arriCheeFormer Mount Kisco mayor Gina Picinich and husband Nick
MES – APRIL 11 - MAY 8, 2024 ng to be Ambleside’s were both spotted that zzing back and forth th heaping plates of ch as fish and chips, nd-held meat pies), l be bar snacks like ns think of as potato ake, Ambleside is not, s, a “restaurant.” ubs, there will be no ools. raged to find a cozy before heading to the to pick up their face orders for food. es, ciders, spirits, and ges as well. ubbub at the private event was Beacon’s Ian Hatton, an expat himself, musician/songwriter, and brewer of the pub’s own ale, Ambleside Best Bitter. There’s another slight misconception the Hodgsons would like to clear up. No, the beer is not “warm.” Lagers and keg beers will be served cold, Guinness at an optimal temperature temperature of 42 degrees, and cask ales at 50 degrees. Besides relaxing with a pint or two, folks will be able to play darts or watch rugby and other British sports on television screens cleverly disguised as artworks. Alas, there wasn’t room for a billiards (pool) table. Afternoon tea is planned and a Sunday Roast is on the radar for this fall, the Hodgsons say. In Britain, pubs serve an important social function. The are meeting places where folks can go to talk, gossip, and find companionship. The pub that a person most frequents is known as his or her “local.” Most of all the Hodgsons want the public to think of Ambleside as their own so-called “local.” “We wanted to create a place where everyone, especially the Brits around here, truly feels like they’re part of the family,” Drew said. Good to Know The Ambleside Pub is located at 23 East Main St., Mount Kisco, N.Y. When fully operational, its hours will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays through Saturdays. The Hamlet is located at 23 South Moger Ave., Mount Kisco, N.Y. For information, call (914) 334-1737. Gregg Vigliotti n Eckhart, Maria Nikitiadis, Gloria Kerwar, Regina Elliott Drew Hodgson with Alaina and John Bainlardi ives in Mount Kisco eers! PHOTOS: CAROL REIF PAGE 17 INDEPENDENTLY OWNED and OPERATED 268 ROUTE 202 SOMERS, NY 10589 progressive-vet.com Rooted in the Community with Excellence & Love 914•248•6220
Parents of young children are undoubtedly familiar with the morning and nighttime ritual of getting kids to brush their teeth. Kids may or may not embrace that routine no matter how hard parents try to relate the benefits of proper oral hygiene, but moms and dads can take solace in the knowledge that childhood dental care can have a positive and lasting effect on kids’ overall health. Dental care and heart disease Harvard Health Publishing notes that numerous studies have now shown that people with poor oral health exhibit higher rates of cardiovascular issues, including heart attack and stroke. The reason behind that remains something of a medical mystery, but some theorize that bacteria that infects gums and causes conditions such as gingivitis and periodontitis trigger an immune response, inflammation, that then contributes to vascular damage. Dental care and Alzheimer’s disease The National Institute on Aging reports that a recent analysis published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease noted the bacteria that cause gum disease are also linked with the development of Alzheimer’s disease. That analysis found that older adults with signs of periodontitis, a condition marked by inflammation of tissue around the teeth that can cause loosening of the teeth, were more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. Additional research is necessary before more concrete conclusions about the link between dental care and Alzheimer’s disease can be made, but dental care that protects the gums could very well reduce individuals’ risk for dementia. Dental care and cancer risk Cancer is among the leading causes of death across the globe, affecting people from all walks of life. Researchers at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health discovered a link between dental care and cancer risk. In a letter published in the journal Gut in 2020, researchers reported that they found that people with a history of gum disease have a higher risk of stomach and esophageal cancers than people with no such history. And that risk was not exactly minimal, as researchers reported a 43 percent higher risk for esophageal cancer and a 52 percent higher risk for stomach cancer. An emphasis on lifelong oral hygiene in childhood could pay lasting dividends, potentially reducing kids’ risk for various diseases when they reach adulthood. This article is from Metro Creative Connection. The long-term effects of proper childhood dental care PAGE 18 – THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES HEALTH & WELLNESS APRIL 11 - MAY 8, 2024 WE’RE NOT YOUR ORDINARY DENTISTS. Affiliate of Astoria | Bay Shore | Garden City | Hoboken | Howard Beach Huntington | Lake Success | Long Island City | Mt. Kisco | Oceanside White Plains | Yonkers | Yorktown Heights Put Your Health Where Your Mouth Is™ and book an appointment today, call 914-770-8555 For more information: CareMount Dental is now ProHealth Dental. ProHEALTH Dental proudly announces a groundbreaking affiliation with Northwell Health. Northwell is New York State’s largest health care provider, with more than 900 locations. ProHEALTH Dental has a network of 16 state-of-the-art dental offices throughout the NY Metro Area. Together, we will treat patients holistically, focusing on how oral health improves overall health. phdental.com Oral Surgery General Pediatrics Orthodontics Endodontics Sleep Cosmetic Dentistry Periodontics Implants
APRIL 11 - MAY 8, 2024 THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES – PAGE 19 Do You Suffer with NEUROPATHY? No Surgery, Shots or Medications - 100% Non-Invasive Imagine a proven long-term solution for your: • Numbness • Diabetic Nerve Pain • Sharp Electric like Pain • Burning or Tingling • Muscle Weakness • Difficulty Sleeping from Leg or Foot Discomfort • Sensitivity to Touch • Pain when Walking Call Today: 914-686-6200 Your Appointment Includes: - FREE Consultation with the Doctor - Thermography Imaging of the affected area “When I first reached out to Dr. Gertner, I was in horrible shape. I could barely walk because of the neuropathy. I had pain in my back, traveling down both legs. The pain was excruciating. It was a combination of burning, pins & needles, and weakness. Dr. Gertner went over a five prong system to not just slow down the neuropathy, but actually reverse the degenerative changes. I am incredibly humbled and blessed that this doctor helped me get back to the best “ME” that I can be. Thank You!” – Thomas C. UCC-NY.COM | 311 North Street, Suite 410, White Plains, NY Dr. Gertner’s book
PAGE 20 – THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES HEALTH & WELLNESS APRIL 11 - MAY 8, 2024 Discover The Greens at Greenwich Home is a Feeling The Greens provides safety, comfort, and a loving home filled with laughter and joy. We are a small intimate assisted living community for your loved one with memory impairment. Awarded the Best Practice for Resident Care by the Connecticut Assisted Living Association [email protected] | thegreensatgreenwich.com Schedule a Tour 203.531.5500 Scan Here To Sign Up (It’s FREE!) Get YOUR Town’s Local News In Your Inbox Daily BY MARIA SCAROS GUEST COLUMNIST My past, present and future can be seen in the objects carefully arranged in my home. My belongings and my longings are all here. Along the way, home balances the sacred part of my story. The bits and pieces of who I was, who I am and who I am becoming are rooted in my first home and have evolved in the homes I’ve made along the way. I am not unique in this. Home is a feeling for most of us. We know how hard it is at times to move on. How could we when we’ve heard that “home is where the heart is,” “home is where your mom is,” “home is where you hang your hat,” “home is where your story begins,” “there’s no place like home” and on and on? It was moving day over a year after my father died. My brother and I were moving mom out of the apartment where she raised all her children. My brother and I stood in what was our living room. It was stark, cold and echoed as we spoke as if the memories were floating all away. We were brokenhearted standing in the empty space. I felt I was abandoning all the people who came and went throughout the years I lived there. Once again, these are common feelings. They are feelings that ground us. These are the feelings many of us have when we move on. When someone has a memory impairment, those feelings remain. They are feelings of balance, safety, love, comfort and reassurance. These feelings are sought when home feels lost. The need to center oneself is never more important than when you feel so much is slipping away. One needs to find sacred ground; a place where there is no judgment and kindness prevails. When residents move into The Greens at Greenwich, they carry much of their home within them. They seek the essence of a safe space to “hang their hat,” feel their story can continue, and be embraced by people who will love them unconditionally. At The Greens at Greenwich, we know that there is no place like home and that more than anything else, home is a feeling. Maria Scaros is Executive Director at The Greens at Greenwich. For more information, visit www.thegreensatgreenwich. com, or call 203-531-5500. Home is the place I belong Residents of The Greens at Greenwich display the items that turn their new house into a home. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE GREENS AT GREENWICH
APRIL 11 - MAY 8, 2024 THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES – PAGE 21 ADVERTORIAL Total Motion Release (“TMR”), a physical therapy and rehabilitation treatment method, has gained attention for its ability to help people improve mobility and alleviate pain. Unlike traditional rehabilitation approaches that often focus on addressing the painful or dysfunctional part of the body, TMR takes a holistic approach to restore balance and symmetry throughout the entire body. This treatment method uses the painfree movements on one side or area of the body to address pain and tightness on another part of the body. Depending on your fitness and medical history, this simple and effective technique may produce fast results in diminishing pain and movement restrictions throughout your body. UNDERSTANDING TMR* TMR operates on the principle of addressing the body as a whole, rather than isolated parts to restore balance and symmetry throughout the body. Injuries, muscular imbalances, and poor biomechanics cause certain areas of our bodies to overcompensate for the weak or painful opposing side, leading to tightness or pain. Conventional approaches typically treat the “affected side” (the painful or restricted side) while TMR focuses on the “non-affected side” (the area of the body that is less painful and more mobile). HOW TMR WORKS TMR aims to influence our neuromuscular control (the interaction between our nervous system and our muscles) through several mechanisms such as: • Cross education - training one limb can result in improvements in strength or skill in the opposite limb, emphasizing the interconnectedness of the nervous system. • Neural coupling - when one neural pathway is activated, it can make it easier for other pathways to become activated as well because different parts of the nervous system work together to coordinate movements. • Biotensegrity – the interconnectedness between muscle, connective tissue and bones that provides stability throughout the body from both tensional and compressive forces. • Common core hypothesis - the central neural control mechanisms that are used during rhythmic motor patterns (such as walking and running), are the same control systems used to enable coordinated and smooth movement in other activities. USING TMR IN YOUR DAILY LIFE TO UNLOCK A PAINFUL JOINT Performing the exercises below with 3-5 “assessment” repetitions. These first few trials are to gauge how freely the joints are moving. Do 3 sets of 15 to the unaffected side and then reassess the affected side. Continue this process until you see both sides are moving equally and pain-free. Do not push through pain and only move through the pain free range of motion. If both sides are painful or if pain gets progressively worse, stop the exercises. If you experience pain from the exercises that does not dissipate shortly after, or you do not get equal movements from both sides, contact your physical therapist or physician. 1. Head and Trunk Rotations: Sit with a straight posture on the edge of a chair, legs shoulder width apart and feet flat on the ground. Cross arms over your chest. Twist your trunk and head to one side as far as you comfortably can. Note how far you are rotating your body and head by picking the furthest object behind you that you can see to gauge movement progress and how each side compares to the other. 2. Shoulder Reaches: Sit as stated under #1. Arms straight next to your body. Keeping one arm straight and raise it up as close to your ear as possible. Note how high each arm can be raised, as well as how close the arm can get to the ear to gauge movement progress and to compare each side. 3. Leg Raises with Reach: Sit as stated in #1. Keeping one foot on the ground, Easing Pain & Unlocking Movement: A Simple & Novel Approach for All Ages straighten the other leg and raise it as high as you comfortably can, keeping knee straight. Reach with your arms towards your raised foot. Note how close your fingers reach towards your foot to gauge movement to compare each side. 4. Heel Taps: Stand with feet shoulder width apart. Bend one knee and keep the other leg straight out in front of you, tapping the ground with your foot. The knee that is bent will bear all your weight. Note how far you can tap the ground in front without losing balance to gauge movement progress and to compare each side. 5. Single Leg Sit to Stand: Sit as stated under #1. Reach both arms straight in front of you and stand up on one leg. If you are unable to do a sit to stand on one leg, practice doing a sit to stand with both legs until you can manage with a single leg. We are hands on PTs! The professional services of the team at Lize Lubbe Physical Therapy include: • Pre & Post Surgery Rehabilitation • Sports Injury Rehabilitation • Neurological Rehabilitation • Treatment of Musculoskeletal & Orthopedic Conditions • Postural, Balance & Gait Training • Pain & Headache Management • Body Rebalancing through Diaphragm, Breathing & Pelvic Stability www.lizelubbept.com [email protected] 914.875.9430 892 NY-35, Cross River, NY 10518 (blue office building) Lize Lubbe is the owner of Lize Lubbe Physical Therapy with its main practice located at 892 Route 35 in Cross River and a PT Studio in the premises of Apex Fitness (where her team focus on the rehabilitation of sports-related injuries). Learn more by calling 914-875-9430, emailing [email protected] or visiting www.lizelubbept.com. IMPORTANT TAKEAWAYS The beauty of the TMR movement exercise protocol is that you can perform it anywhere, anytime and is a great daily dose of movement medicine to help gain or maintain mobility throughout your body. Depending on your fitness and medical history, we recommend consulting with a physical therapist for a personalized TMR movement protocol. For further information on TMR approach, see the following links: 1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ pmc/articles/PMC6878872/; and 2) https://journals.lww.com/acsm-essr/ fulltext/2005/01000/Neural_Control_of_ Rhythmic_Human_Movement__The.10. aspx LIZE LUBBE PT & ETHAN MOYER PT, DPT
PAGE 22 – THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES APRIL 11 - MAY 8, 2024 Fox Lane High School sophomore Diana Balkovski recently found international success as part of a Skyliners Junior team that brought home the bronze medal from the ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships last month. On the first night of the competition, Skyliners performed a stirring rendition of their twisted firebirdthemed short program, receiving a score of 70.93 points and a thirdplace finish. They came back strong the next night, mesmerizing the crowd with an emotional free skate to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Overcoming a slight bobble in the early seconds of the program, Skyliners rebounded gracefully, delivering positive grades of execution on the rest of their elements, including a 9.75 for their Level 4 intersection – the second-highest scoring element of the competition. Skyliners earned a free skate score of 125.75 and a total competition score of 196.68. They were the only team in the competition to earn full technical credit for every element in both programs. “I am very proud of this group of skaters,” said Josh Babb, Skyliners Head Coach and Director of Synchronized Skating. “Their love of skating and dedication to the sport comes through in every performance and it is an amazing accomplishment to bring home the bronze medal for the United States.” The world championships marked the end of a successful international season for Skyliners Junior. The team won the 2024 Lumiere Cup and placed second at the 2024 Hevelius Cup. Skyliners has now medaled in all five world junior championships they have competed in since 2018, earning silver in 2018 and 2021 and bronze in 2019, 2023, and 2024. Skyliners Senior were scheduled to compete at the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships in Zagreb, Croatia on April 5 and 6. Article courtesy of Skyliners Synchronized Skating Team. Fox Lane skater shines on international stage Diana Balkovski PHOTO COURTESY OF EUGENE BALKOVSKI BY WES ADAMS CONTRIBUTING WRITER Let’s ignore the cold snap that sent us all diving back into hibernation the other week. Winter has officially ended. It is time to crawl out of our caves, shake off the doldrums, and get moving. If, like me, you need the threat of approaching pain and suffering as motivation, there are three short local races in April and May you can sign up for. For those looking to test themselves against roots, rocks, and mud, this column strongly endorses the 5K John Jay Trail Race on the newish JJHS XC course, April 14 in Cross River, or the first annual spring-running of the famed Muscoot Run the Farm 5-miler on May 19. If instead you want to lower the tripping hazard by sticking to asphalt, I encourage you to head north across the county line to the Carmel Teachers’ Association 5K on May 5. This race for a good cause also has a virtual version. Registration details for all three races are available at runsignup.com. When it comes to training for runs I had no business signing up for, I like to add two very different workouts to my weekly routine. First, I try to do one long, easy session on flat terrain. Around our hilly neighborhoods, you might think a flat landscape that’s safe for running is near impossible to find. I’ve got two words for you: rail trails. Northern Westchester and Putnam are bisected by the North County Trail and Putnam Trailway, two lengthy sections of the 750-mile Empire State Trail network which travels from the base of Manhattan north to Canada and also west to Buffalo (empiretrail.ny.gov/map). The May 5 CTA 5K actually takes place entirely on a trailway section in Carmel. These off-road paved paths on former railbeds offer as flat and smooth a journey as you will find around here. They are free from cars except for the occasional road crossing. In Brewster, the Putnam Trailway continues north on the Maybrook Trailway, which also branches the other direction toward the Connecticut border. You can pick up the North County trail with a short drive west. There are countless places to park and surprisingly few people afoot. I like to do relaxed out-and-back sessions, heading north or south to the halfway point of my planned distance, then turning around and heading back to the car. As I tread along what feels like a secret pathway through an endless variety of woodsy real estate, I try to focus on maintaining form, whatever that means, but mainly I end up zoning out as I click off the miles. As an extreme counterpoint to this mellow workout, I also try to work in an intense hill session once every week or so. My current favorite location is the steep climb up Increase Miller Road in Goldens Bridge, starting from the bottom at the abandoned water-filled 19th-century quarry on Todd Road. Local users of the Strava app have turned this half-mile monster into an official Strava segment, with a leaderboard and everything. This is both inspiring (I hold the record for my age group) and demoralizing (I am 100 seconds slower than the fastest time). To warm up I’ll do a slow lap around nearby Lake Katonah and then I’ll attempt four repeat runs up the hill, recovering after each with a super-slow descent and then a minute pause at the bottom before repeating. As I go up, the hill breaks down into four sections of varying steepness. Part of the fun is not letting this varying terrain break me down. The last section includes running a good way beyond the top to make sure I’m covering the complete length of the Strava section. I aim for the second telephone pole in front of the gray house with the red door and U-shaped driveway. After four repeats I’m pretty much ready to go lay my weary body down next to the grave of the hill’s namesake, an early farmer in the area who died at age 88 in 1854, perhaps from one too many runs up the hill. The small cemetery where he resides is a scant quarter-mile to the north but it’s on private property just beside the road, over a drystone wall behind the large base of a moldering monument inscribed BRADY next to land once occupied by a small Methodist Episcopal chapel. The old church was razed 111 years ago, so any prayer of thanks I offer up for surviving another workout has to be done on the go, as I head home to rest and check my latest position on the Strava leaderboard. Feel free to join me for this hill workout most Saturday mornings at 9 a.m., meeting up at the intersection of Increase Miller and Todd roads. Contact the.runaround1@ gmail.com for details. Rail trails and repeats Two workouts to jump start spring training The steep start of Increase Miller hill. PHOTO COURTESY OF WES ADAMS THE RUNAROUND
APRIL 11 - MAY 8, 2024 LEISURE THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES – PAGE 23 1. Clip the short form on the page 2.Fill out the information. 3.Mail it to P.O. Box 864, Mahopac, NY 10541 4.Or Visit www.HalstonSubscribe.com 5.Or Scan our QR Code to Subscribe. We need you to subscribe. is NOT necessarily good news! It’s FREE & it’s Easy! Please print your first and last names and address legibly, sign and date (all required to continue receiving your subscription to this newspaper). YES, I wish to receive a FREE 3-year subscription to The Mt. Kisco-Bedford Times YES, I really enjoy The Mt. Kisco-Bedford Times and I’d like to continue receiving it for 3 years, along with a monetary contribution this year. (Please print legibly.) First (Required) (Required) (Required) (Required) (Required. Please print legibly.) Last (Required) City: State: ZIP: Name: Signature: Email: Snowbird Dates (if applicable): Date: Phone: Address: (Optional) (Optional for TAPinto E-News) Checks payable to Halston Media LLC. Please include this form in your envelope. Please Include the following additional papers as part of this subscription: Mahopac News The Somers Record Yorktown News North Salem News The Katonah-Lewisboro Times Mail to: P.O. Box 864 Mahopac, NY 10541 While we need your Full Support to keep this newspaper strong, we include the option for Basic Support because we don’t want financial reasons to get in the way of our readers receiving this newspaper. Basic Support vs. Full Support Basic Support Full Support $100 $50 $20 other or visit www.HalstonSubscribe.com OR Visit www.HalstonSubscribe.com To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle! For puzzle solutions, please see theparamountrehab.com CLUES ACROSS 1. Island nation 7. Platforms 13. Project plan 14. French fishing port 16. South Dakota 17. Oakland’s baseball team 19. Military policeman 20. Ornamental stone 22. Garland 23. Process that produces ammonia 25. Mousses 26. Music notation ‘dal __’ 28. Fail to win 29. Peyton’s little brother 30. Not near 31. Some cars still need it 33. Lizard genus 34. An idiot (Brit.) 36. Postponed 38. African country 40. Gazes unpleasantly 41. In a way, traveled 43. UkraineÕs capital 44. Appropriate 45. Dash 47. Twitch 48. Swiss river 51. Data file with computer animations 53. City in S. Korea 55. Particular region 56. They have eyes and noses 58. Tear 59. Large Madagascan lemur 60. Not out 61. Ornamental saddle covering 64. A driver’s license is one 65. Latin term for charity 67. Rechristens 69. Objects from an earlier time 70. Hindu male religious teachers CLUES DOWN 1. Used as a weapon 2. Yukon Territory 3. Makes a map of 4. An established ceremony prescribed by a religion 5. Unnilhexium 6. Merchant 7. Playing the field 8. Folk singer DiFranco 9. Something to scratch 10. Mexican agave 11. Equal to one quintillion bytes 12. Session 13. North American people 15. Ranches 18. Electroencephalograph 21. A type of compound 24. Avenue 26. High schoolersÕ test 27. A type of meal 30. Gradually disappeared 32. Ancient Frankish law code 35. Popular pickup truck 37. Buzzing insect 38. Deal illegally 39. Lying in the same plane 42. Obstruct 43. Related 46. Challenge aggressively 47. Nocturnal hoofed animals 49. BirdÕs nests 50. Forays 52. __ B. de Mille, filmmaker 54. Title of respect 55. One-time name of Vietnam 57. Self-immolation by fire ritual 59. Private school in New York 62. Political action committee 63. A way to fashion 66. Email reply 68. The Great Lake State
PAGE 24 – THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES APRIL 11 - MAY 8, 2024 LIVE MUSIC FOOD TRUCKS CRAFT BEERS INFLATABLES FOR KIDS BASKET BALL CHALLENGE Commerce Street Proceeds to benefit local youth sports and community service organizations. yorktownfamjam.com 1/4 AD 4.61” x 6.05” LIVE MUSIC FOOD TRUCKS + BEER INFLATABLE CHALLENGE COURSE YOUTH SPORTS EVENTS BYO CHAIR Commerce Street Saturday April 30 4-10 pm FUN FOR ALL Proceeds to benefit local Yorktown sports and community service organizations. RAIN DATE: Sunday, MAY 1 yorktownfamjam.com FLYER 8.5x11 FamJam_07.indd 1 4/6/22 1:02 PM 12-8 pm Saturday April 27 What are you looking forward to after high school? As I embark on my journey beyond high school, I look forward to challenging myself both academically and socially. I hope to further develop my passions while discovering new ones. I am excited to meet many new people at college that I can learn from while cherishing the many wonderful relationships I have already built. Most of all, I look forward to exploring my academic interests and creating career plans. Salutatorian Cole Simon Anticipated major Economics What accomplishment are you most proud of? Beekeeping is my greatest accomplishment. During my freshman year, I created my own business, Hive & Harvest, selling honey from my own apiary. In my junior year, I expanded my business to include removing swarms and maintaining colonies for clients throughout the Westchester area. I now oversee more than 20 hives and provide my customers with their own raw, local honey. In addition, I donated two hives and brought the Beekeeping Club to Fox Lane High School. I also helped to set up hives at West Patent Elementary School. Who is the most influential person(s) in your life? My parents are undoubtedly the most influential people in my life. In their own unique ways, they have each inspired me to push myself in both my academics and extracurricular activities. Their unwavering support has been a major contributor to my success. I am extremely appreciative of the hard work and the sacrifices they have made to help me excel. What is your favorite Fox Lane memory? My favorite memory was my first game as a freshman on the Fox Lane High School Varsity Tennis Team. My doubles partner and I were in a close match and, unbeknownst to us, we were the deciding game. Our teammates were lined up along the doubles alley, and when we won the last point everyone started cheering and rushed onto the court. The celebration that came afterwards highlighted the strength of our team spirit and was a great way to start off the season. What are you looking forward to after high school? I am very excited to have the opportunity to make lifelong connections with both hard-working peers and amazing alumni in college. I am also hoping to utilize my study of economics and any entrepreneurial-related experiential learning opportunities to create future businesses. Article courtesy of Bedford Central School District. BY TOM WALOGORSKY EDITOR Earlier this month, Bedford 2030 was pleased to announce that Gabrielle Bilik has joined the organization as the new Program Administrator. Bilik had previously worked for United Way and 4Communi-T, and had also been a long-tenured staff member with Halston Media, the parent company of this newspaper. Now, she will bring her skills as a designer and writer to Bedford 2030’s mission of addressing climate change through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the preservation of our natural resources. “I always enjoy roles where I feel like my work is contributing to the greater good, so working here is a great tool to redirect some of my climate anxiety,” Bilik explains. “Instead of feeling helpless when I watch the news or notice the weather, I can feel like I’m taking some action in my little corner of the world.” In her new role as Program Administrator, Bilik will support the organization’s community engagement, events, and public relations. In pursuing their goal of fighting for clean air, water, and land resources by reducing greenhouse gasses, Bedford 2030 has developed deep roots in the community and called on residents to take collective action. The organization is also looking ahead to their Earth Day Festival, to be held on Sunday, April 21 at the Gabrielle Bilik joins Bedford 2030 team Former Halston Media staffer to help build sustainable future Gabrielle Bilik has joined the fight against greenhouse gas emissions. VAL/SAL FROM PAGE 1 SEE BILIK PAGE 25
APRIL 11 - MAY 8, 2024 THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES – PAGE 25 Bedford Hills Train Station. The day will include live music, family activities, local experts who can explain green incentives, and the final student presentations of the Greenlight Award contest. As she settles into her new role, Bilik has found that Bedford 2030 has already given her plenty to be excited about. “They’re doing so many fun and exciting things,” she concludes. “I’m particularly excited about Bedford 2030’s plans and model. Through their work, the Town of Bedford reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 44% and exceeded its 20% by 2020 goal three years ahead of schedule. Their new goal is to reduce GHG emissions 80% by 2030. The Town of Bedford and Bedford 2030 worked together to write an aggressive Climate Action Plan, and this showcases the potential for meaningful change through deliberate efforts. What truly inspires me is the prospect of Bedford’s model influencing communities beyond its borders. I’m passionate about encouraging other towns to adopt similar strategies, especially for those hesitant due to immediate financial concerns. It’s crucial to acknowledge Bedford’s resource advantage and commend their responsible use, setting an example for less resource-endowed communities. In my role, I hope to contribute to making these goals attainable for all.” For more information on Bedford 2030, visit bedford2030.org, and follow them on social media. (FaceBook: facebook.com/Bedford2030; Instagram: bedford_2030; Twitter: @bedford2030) BILIK FROM PAGE 24 well. The pharmacist, Theresa, has worked in the community for 25 years. “We are excited to bring friendly, personalized, caring service to the Katonah community, doing it the Katonah way,” she says. The pharmacy also has a variety of health and beauty products, greeting cards, gifts, and so much more! Don’t miss this special event, featuring a free raffle, music by WHUD 100.7, and free ice cream to the first 100 customers. For more information, email [email protected] or call 914-895-6505. Mount Kisco Public Library 100 East Main Street, www. mountkiscolibrary.org Affordable Health Care Navigator Saturdays, April 13, 20, & 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. By appointment only, a trained Navigator provided by the Westchester County Department of Health will be available to help with choosing and signing up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act and the NYS of Health Marketplace. Please call to make an appointment at 914-336-6935. Appointments available in English and Spanish. Film Screening & Discussion Saturday, April 20, from 1:30 to 3:15 p.m. Join in for a very special screening of “Madan Sara” both an educational and introspective subject, with a Q&A to follow with Lu Childs, one of the co-executive producers. Pound Ridge Library Located at 271 Westchester Avenue, Pound Ridge, NY 10576. For more information, email info@poundridgelibrary. org or call 914-764-5085. To register for these events, visit the calendar at www.poundridge library.org. Music with Kurt Gallagher Friday, April 12, from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Get ready for an unforgettable musical adventure! Bring your little ones to the library for a dose of musical enchantment with our Children’s Music with Kurt Gallagher! Delight in the lively tunes, interactive songs, and engaging performances that will have kids tapping their feet and singing along with joy. Writer’s Inspiration Morning Tuesday, April 16, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Inspiration is all around us, especially in this adult writing program led by author and writing teacher, Kim Kovach. If you are interested in writing creative fiction, short stories, this course is for you. New and experienced writers will boost their skills through weekly homework assignment to keep everyone motivated! CoveCare Center 2024 Annual Team Spelling Bee Wednesday, May 15, at 5:30 p.m. Please come out to support the community-based mental health and substance use services of CoveCare Center! The Bee is the perfect networking TRACKS FROM PAGE 2 SEE TRACKS PAGE 28 SCAN HERE FOR MORE INFO! ENJOY 0 DOWN, 0% FINANCING! ACT NOW BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE! LIMITED TIME OFFER 845-600-8004 | www.bellmech.com Heat pumps are a cleaner and healthier alternative to traditional heating AND cooling systems. This all in one system will eliminate your need for fossil fuel and help you save thousands. Learn more about rebates & financing options! EXCLUDES SERVICE CONTRACT • EXP 4/30/24 Coupon must be presented at time of service. Cannot be combined with any other offer. $50 OFF ANY OF OUR SERVICES CALL US TODAY! Keep COOL with REBATES from BELL! SAVE THOUSANDS in Federal, State and Local Incentives on your new HEATPUMP PROJECT
PAGE 26 – THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES APRIL 11 - MAY 8, 2024 Over 12 Food Trucks! Vendors Kids Rides Beer Garden Celebrity Athletes Farmers Market Music & Dance Troops DIY Flower Bar Westchester Chorus 120+ Car Show participants Sp Spring Spring ring Festival & Festival & Festival & Car Show Car Show Car Show GET READY FOR... WHERE: JEFFERSON VALLEY MALL WHEN: SUNDAY APRIL 28TH 11-4 PM Rain or Shine!! Rain or Shine!! Rain or Shine!! MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER TO PLAY THE NEW YORK LOTTERY GAMES. PLEASE PLAY RESPONSIBLY. 24-HOUR PROBLEM GAMING HOTLINE: 1-877-8-HOPENY (846-7369) Newburgh, NY RWHudsonValleyNY.com I-84 | Exit 36B I-87 | Exit 17 Earn Entries All Month Long! Saturday, April 27 • 10pm Win A 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4-Door Sport S! *Actual models and colors may vary. JEEP WRANGLER GIVEAWAY complement that was already “handling and meeting the needs of the community” prior to the creation of the CRO program, Brancati said. He emphasized that the move to defund the CRO position was “NOT a reflection on Officer Ramirez.” “He’s fantastic and, in fact, we’ve said look, even if we didn’t continue with the CRO specifically, we would certainly want Officer Ramirez as part of the regular Mount Kisco patrol,” Brancati said. Cindrich said that the village plans to ask the county police to him “permanently to both patrol functions and special details.” Community Policing Community policing programs gained traction in the 1970s, but many petered out when municipalities ran out of money to support them. More attention to the topic was paid after the 2020 killing of George Floyd by police ignited one of the largest social movements in U.S. history and intensified calls for systemic changes in policing. Albany reacted by handing down mandates for local police reform. Municipalities started restructuring budgets and rethinking public safety strategies. Ramirez became a village police officer in 2009. He transferred to the Westchester County Police Department in 2015 when that entity took over its law enforcement services. After the mandates dropped, he and the head of the WCPD’s community policing program, Sgt. James Dress, took a deep dive into things that the village had already been doing, such as Police and Community Together, a program that educates people about local laws, police procedures, and available resources. Using that outline, they came up with a proposal for a CRO program. It was presented to the board in early 2022. After a three-month trial run, it was officially adopted for FY 2022-2023 and renewed for FY 2023-2024. Options Weighed Mount Kisco’s “common sense” approach to meeting state directives will not just “keep the status quo but improve it,” Cindrich said. He suggested that money now used for the CRO program could be reallocated to special details, especially in trouble spots such as Kirby Plaza, and for park rangers who could monitor the trails and use of village recreational facilities. Cindrich noted that there’s a “perception” of crime in the downtown even though “very little” is occurring there. Some have been clamoring for foot and bicycle patrols, which, while not always effective, still make folks “feel safer,” he said. Cindrich suggested implementing a “Park, Walk, and Talk” program. Patrolmen would get out of their cars “for a minimum of an hour” and walk the downtown. They would keep their vehicles close by so they could still answer calls. Concerns Expressed Trustee Lisa Abzun had been against hiring a full-time CRO because she didn’t feel “any more boots on the ground were needed.” But after closer examination that included shadowing Ramirez on his rounds, she changed her mind. “I think it’s been a really good program for this village,” she said at the work session. Abzun urged the village to reach out to county officials for help in keeping the program intact. Legislator Erika Pierce has already weighed in. “I don’t think we should go backwards,” Abzun added. She supported the MCRT’s being hosted by Mount Kisco and also fought for the hiring of bilingual team members. However, Abzun felt that “to set up a false expectation that the MCRT has the same mission and capabilities as a CRO is not good for the community.” Abzun explained that the MCRT is assigned to a “catchment area” that contains Mount Kisco, Bedford, New Castle, North Castle, Lewisboro, North Salem, Somers, and Pound Ridge. “That’s an area of approximately 200 square miles. The CRO officer is only assigned to Mount Kisco, which is 3.2 square miles,” she said, pointing out the MCRT’s primary purpose – while an “important and integral addition” to the community -- is to assist in 911 calls. The organization’s goal is to build rapport with individuals in crisis, provide on-the-spot counseling and follow-up support, and to take steps, if necessary, to have folks taken to an emergency room or psychiatric facility. Abun argued that not only does the CRO post have “a completely different mission” but it “represents a continuity of relationships” between organizational and community “stakeholders.” On the long list of the former she credited Ramirez with making “quality connections” with were the public library, Partners in Prevention, the Interfaith Emergency Shelter Program, Trail Team, school district, Northwell Health, and the justice court. Abun offering anecdotal evidence of Ramirez’s willingness to go above and beyond with individuals in need. She was once contacted by the distraught mom of a mentally disabled child who’d found ripped-up leaflets piled by her front door. “She just couldn’t understand why someone would target her and had nowhere to turn,” said Abzun who urged her to contact the CRO. Not only did Ramirez take down the woman’s information, he advised her to get a doorbell camera and checked to see if it was properly installed. He told her that was important to know exactly who’s on the doorstep, especially considering her family member “could be in crisis sometime.” Calling continuity “vital,”Abzun noted that many county officers assigned to Mount Kisco are sometimes moved around and already have enough “things POLICING FROM PAGE 4 SEE POLICING PAGE 27
APRIL 11 - MAY 8, 2024 THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES – PAGE 27 that they’re tasked with doing.” Cindrich countered that, in his opinion, all the things a CRO does simply can’t be handled by one person, basically because it’s a 24/7 job. Training more officers could be “beneficial,” he said. Other Voices Among supporters of the CRO program is Neighbor’s Link Executive Director Carola Otera Bracco. Headquartered in Mount Kisco, the nonprofit offers services such as English language education, workforce development, and academic support for new immigrants. In a letter read April 1 by Abzun, Bracco pointed out that because over 30 percent of the village’s population is “foreign born,” it’s important that these folks “feel safe coming to police when they are witnesses or victims of a crime.” The CRO’s role has been “critical” in building trust and improving relations between local law enforcement and the immigrant community, she said, adding: “This has made ALL residents safer.” Among the speakers was Tom Luzio, a candidate for village trustee. Acknowledging the “hard choices” that the village faces, he said he wasn’t there to tell it how to balance its budget or how to decide what its “essential services” are. The attorney said that any program “that works with the community, among the population where the majority of crime is occurring,” takes time to bloom. “It’s like, instead cutting down all the weeds, it’s sowing seeds of things that will grow and be better,” Luzio said, adding that he thinks the village “will benefit from continued investment into that type of policing.” Luzio said later that he agreed with the mayor that “accountability and measurables are critical to the success of any program, in police work as in business.” Former police lieutenant Lou Terlizzi had a slightly different take. “This is in no way a criticism of the CRO, who I know and have worked with, however if only one officer is assigned primary responsibility for a task, other officers will invariably abdicate or defer their responsibilities for community policing to that one officer,” he said, contending that “all of the officers deployed by the county to work in our big little village should be engaged in community policing. They have all the necessary training to do so.” Furthermore, the $250,000 “can be much more wisely allocated in order to enhance the safety of, and overall quality of life in, the village,” Terlizzi said. John Rhodes of the local Trails Team noted that prior to the CRO program’s inception, the village had “a very different situation in our trails and parks with dozens of homeless people camping out under really awful conditions. This created problems both for themselves and for other residents.” The team had been working for years to improve things and had had some success collaborating with police, village officials, and a trails task force that had been created by then-Deputy Mayor Jean Farber. Farber said the task force got “a wonderful response” and drew tremendous interest from various stakeholders, including the WCPD. It was able to put together some important goals. “Then COVID happened” and unfortunately it was disbanded, Farber said. But the Trails Team hadn’t been able to make “substantial” progress until super-volunteer Mel Berger advocated for a program that allows folks committing minor, non-violent, offenses to get community service instead of fines or jail time. Berger, founder of the Mount Kisco Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Council and one of Ramirez’s mentors, was also in favor of the CRO program. Ramirez “understands the need to bring these people back into a constructive relationship with someone who represents village authority,” said Rhodes, who’s “seen firsthand some of our most troublesome residents transform their behavior from secretive and anti-social – drinking and littering on or near the trails, for instance – to a more friendly, cooperative, attitude.” Retired probation officer Judith Sage said she was against continuing the CRO program because she believed the village “cannot afford this expense.” Furthermore, she thought that county police officers were already trained “to the highest level of professionalism” in areas such as the recognition of implicit bias and de-escalation techniques. She suggested the village survey residents and businesses to determine exactly what public safety, and other, services they expect. Next Steps The public hearing was extended to 7 p.m., Monday, April 8. Cindrich, noting that the budget was “not finalized” promised that village officials will be working on it up to the “eleventh hour” if necessary. The budget must be adopted by May 1. POLICING FROM PAGE 26 Budget Basics Village Manager’s Message In his budget message to the mayor and trustees, Village Manager Ed Brancati wrote that Mount Kisco officials remain committed to investing in the “growth and success of the community.” The village is continuing to “replace century-old critical infrastructure that has outlived its useful life and is necessary for every resident to thrive” and to maintain streets and sidewalks to “ensure the safe movement of people and commerce” throughout the village. It is also supporting its “dedicated and talented workforce” in a way that enables it to “continue to deliver the highest level of services in the most efficient and effective manner possible.” Spending The tentative 2024-2025 budget is $26,560,235, $488,547 or 1.87 percent higher than the current spending plan of $26,071,688. Tax Levy The proposed real property tax levy is rising by 1.29 percent to $16,242,449, but remains under the state tax cap by $451,758. The tax cap is the limit set by the state on the annual growth of real property taxes levied by local government as a calculated percentage or rate of inflation, whichever is less. Tax Rate The tentative tax rate of slightly more than $112 per $1,000 of assessed valuation is 2.45 percent higher than the current rate. Tax Impact The owner of a single-family home with a market value of $457,000 – and an assessed value of $36,000 -- can expect to pay $96.70 more in property taxes in 2024-2025. The fiscal year starts on June 1 and the total village tax bill for that property would be $4,043.79. Water Appropriations for the current water budget of $5,424,393 will rise to $5,464,556, $40,163 or 0.74 percent higher. Water rates will remain flat for the ninth year in a row. The average annual water bill is $795. SEE POLICING PAGE 28 Get This Newspaper’s App On Your Phone Always Stay Informed About News Involving YOUR Town & Schools Android Scan Here iPhone Scan Here Get Our App! Your One-Stop Shop for Deck Building Materials Mahopac Railroad Tie Experts in Deck Lumber 911 Route 6, Mahopac, NY • 845-628-8111 • www.decklumber.com DECKING & RAILING
PAGE 28 – THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES APRIL 11 - MAY 8, 2024 board minutes on a typewriter, had no email but did have a jumble of boxes and files scattered on town hall’s upper floor. Things have changed in many ways since then. Fumagalli ran that first time on the Republican line and took office along with an all-GOP Town Board; she ran for the last time, in 2021, on both major party lines and has served with an all-Democratic Town Board ever since. But the veteran clerk would be the first to brush aside talk of politics and point instead to the digital-age upgrades that have transformed her office’s operation. Those scattered boxes and records have migrated to the basement, organized as a records management center, its shelves now arranged to make vital records and minutes an easy search. “Bringing technology, the scanning and preservation of records, to Bedford,” Fumagalli says, has been her biggest accomplishment. FUMAGALLI FROM PAGE 6 Sewer Appropriations for the current sewer budget of $1,242,575 will increase to $1,343,770, a difference of $101,195 or 8.14 percent. The rate itself will remain the same for the third year in a row. The average annual sewer bill is $249. Library The proposed library budget is $42,080,481, an increase of $58,91 or 2.91 percent over the current $2,021,569. This is its first substantial hike since 2017. Rateables Mount Kisco’s total assessable value (taxable properties) is expected to be $1.65 million, or 1.13 percent lower, in FY 2024-2025. That’s not the fault of the village; it’s due to factors such as property owners successfully challenging their assessments; properties being sold to nonprofits, which takes them off the tax rolls; and other things such as empty commercial space. Village officials agree that development must be encouraged – in a targeted and responsible way – to prevent the tax base from growing stagnant, which would result in higher taxes. To make up for this loss in rateables, and for other reasons, the tentative budget calls for the use of about $1.4 million in undesignated fund balances, a figure about $27,000 less than the current year’s. Capital Improvements Among notable capital projects are improvements to the Preston Way Bridge ($3.6 million, of which $1.9 million would come from the state’s Bridge NY fund. The MTA has not committed to forking over its financial share of the cost, so the project is on hold for now.); Streetscape ($1 million); paving and sidewalks ($525,000, after applying $200,000 in state funding); the Leonard Park walking path ($150,000, after $250,000 in CREST funds are applied); and vehicle replacement ($150,000). On the water and sewer side of things, capital improvements include: the Maple Avenue water main replacement ($1.57 million), Byram Lake filtration plant upgrades ($750,000), Byram Lake dam upgrades ($750,000), and the Branch Brook sewer line replacement ($2.2 million). POLICING FROM PAGE 27 and team-building event where groups work together to come up with the correct spelling of words, advancing through more challenging rounds as the night progresses. It’s just fun and fundraising for a great cause. Three team trophies will be awarded! $50 per player, dinner included. To be held at Centennial Golf Club at 185 Simpson Road in Carmel. To sponsor or register visit covecarecenter.org/2024-spelling-bee/ Bedford Free Library Located at 32 Village Green, Bedford, NY 10506. For more information or to register for events, visit www.bedfordfreelibrary.org Stories, Songs & Surprises Thursdays, April 11, 18, and 25, at 11:15 a.m. Join in for weekly Storytime in the Library with Mrs. Crummy! Tech Thursday with Charlie Thursdays, April 11, 18, and 25, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sign up for a one on one session with Charlie and learn to download digital materials. Charlie will show you how to download an ebook or audiobook to your Kindle, iPad or iPhone or Android device. Please bring your device, library card and Apple and Amazon information. Bedford Hills Free Library 26 Main St, Bedford Hills. 914- 666-6472 For more information or to register for programs, visit www.bedfordhillsfreelibrary.org Tech Tuesday Tuesdays, April 16, 23, & 30 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Stop by the Library on Tuesdays or call anytime! Technical questions answered in-person and over the phone, and personal appointments are available. Led by Katherine Whymark, Librarian for Adult Services & Programs. Stories & Stretches - Family Yoga Storytime Saturday, April 20, from 12:30 to 1 p.m. Children are introduced to books, songs, simple poses and mindfulness activities in this new monthly program designed for preschoolers and their grownups. Discover how movement can bring stories to life in new ways, strengthening our minds, bodies, breath and hearts! Bring a towel or yoga mat to join the fun. Space is limited, please register on library website. Chronic Pain Support Group Research tells us that 50 million Americans live with chronic pain, or pain that lasts most days or every day for three months or more. Of this group, 20 million experience high-impact chronic pain, or pain that interferes with basic functioning and activities of daily living. Pain is the number one reason that Americans access the health care system, and costs the nation up to $635 billion each year in medical treatments, disability payments, and lost productivity. Support groups provide a forum for those with pain to gain support and learn about ways to manage pain and progress from patient to person. This group takes place over Zoom every other week. For more information, please call Ted Bloch at 914-552-6281 or email him at tednbloch@gmail. com. All conversations are kept strictly confidential. 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APRIL 11 - MAY 8, 2024 THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES – PAGE 29 DO YOU HAVE A DRIVER’S LICENSE AND SOME TIME? We need your help. RideConnect provides transportation free of charge to seniors age 60+ in Westchester County. Our volunteers transport older adults to local destinations including doctors’ offices and stores, as well errands to the bank, pharmacy, library, and other community locations. PLEASE CONSIDER GIVING THE GIFT OF MOBILITY AND INDEPENDENCE TO SENIORS IN YOUR COMMUNITY. DAYS AND HOURS ARE FLEXIBLE. This Ad is Donated By Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP Attorneys at Law (914) 948-1500 To become a volunteer driver or for more information, contact RideConnect at: (914) 242-7433 Email: [email protected] Website: RideConnectWestchester.org law from Brooklyn Law School, where he received the American Jurisprudence Award for the highest scored in Administrative Law (the rules of government). Luzio received his bachelor’s degree from Duquesne University. As an assistant DA in Kings County, Luzio chalked up 30 trials wins, including in a murder case. One of his cases in Queens was named “Investigation of the Year” by the International Association of Asian Crime Investigators. Luzio was certified as an instructor by the National Institute of Trial Advocacy at Harvard University. In 2000, he was named Attorney of the Year by the District Attorneys Association of the State of New York. He also worked in the state AG’s Office’s Organized Crime Task Force. Luzio has an athletic side as well. While living in Mamaroneck, he coached his son and daughter in recreational league soccer. He also worked part-time at two sports clubs, teaching spinning classes, and is an avid cyclist. Luzio moved to the village after marrying resident Erica Van Patten, whose daughter attended Mount Kisco schools before heading off to college. SCHLEIMER An attorney as well, Schleimer has been practicing for more than 45 years in Westchester and New York City. Her firm specializes in real estate and real estate finance. She recently became an advisor and advocate helping families with a variety of matters. Schleimer has been a village trustee since 2012. She’s running because “people have really come out” and asked her to. “I am truly touched by the number of people who value my contribution,” said Schleimer, who’s “very much enjoyed serving” with the current board. She feels that her professional background and village experience makes her “a backstop and a useful resource.” If re-elected, Schleimer said she will work with board colleagues to getting the village/town “back on an even keel.” That will require “really going back and analyzing expenditures” and “looking at what makes Mount Kisco tick.” Tops among pressing issues are the revitalization of the downtown and the need to “make it what we all hope it can be, and should be, and was.” Schleimer added that she also “cares greatly about supporting the needs of seniors.” And she also has “a particular interest” in resolving the situation at Barker Terrace, a 92-unit Mitchell-Lama housing project that’s organized as a co-op. Residents there recently reached out for help after being slammed with a 54.3 percent increase in their maintenance fees. Last year, the state Comptroller’s Office issued an audit criticizing the state Department of Housing and Community Renewal’s oversight of the deteriorating building at 1 Barker St. Schleimer previously served as past chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals, a prosecutor for building code violations and other matters for Mount Kisco, and a counsel to the ZBA and the Architectural Review Board. Schleimer also was a member of the Master Plan and Zoning Law Revision committees and the Planning Board. She was a secretary and director of the Mount Kisco Library Foundation, a chair of the Livable Communities Council, Northeast Region, the New York State Bar Association, the Economic Development Council for the village/town; and director of the Westchester Municipal Planning Federation. She currently is a member of the Westchester Bar Association, the Northern Westchester Geriatric Committee, the Collaborative for AgeFriendly Communities, which is under the auspices of the county Department of Senior Programs and Services; the Women’s Advisory Board, the Airport Advisory Board, the League of Women Voters, and the Mount Kisco Historical Society. Schleimer serves as an arbitrator in the Ninth Judicial District’s Part 137: Attorney-Client Fee Dispute Resolution Program – Westchester County. In lieu of attending law school, she was a law clerk under the sponsorship of David Boies, F.A.O. Schwarz, Jr., and Thomas D. Barr She earned her bachelor’s degree in English Literature at the University of Pennsylvania. Schleimer has one daughter, who was born and raised in Mount Kisco and attended West Patent Elementary School and Fox Lane Middle and High Schools. She was named a “Woman of Distinction” by Assemblyman Chris Burdick in 2022 and was inducted into the county’s “Senior Citizens Hall of Fame” in 2016. FARRELL Farrell was Mount Kisco’s mayor from 1995 to 1999. In a statement released in late March, he said: “It has been my privilege to serve as Mount Kisco town justice since 2004. I am committed to providing fair and balanced justice with efficiency and innovation, avoiding unnecessary delay and expense to parties, the public and taxpayers, and treating all who enter the court with dignity and respect.” He is past president of the Westchester County Magistrates Association, a member of the New York State Magistrates Association, a member of the New York and New Jersey Bar Associations, and a member of the New York State, Westchester County, and Northern Westchester Bar Associations. A lifelong Mount Kisco resident, he has been a practicing attorney for 42 years. Farrell earned his law degree from Fordham University School of Law in 1981 and his bachelor’s degree from Fairfield University in 1978. CANDIDATES FROM PAGE 7
PAGE 30 – THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES APRIL 11 - MAY 8, 2024 On Saturday, April 13, Hillside Food Outreach will host its 15th annual Dancing with Our Stars at The Summit at Danbury. The event will feature an evening of dancing and competition, and is Hillside’s largest annual fundraiser. Proceeds will benefit the Westchester nonprofit and its mission to deliver high-quality, nutritious food to thousands of low-income and limited mobility families, seniors, and the chronically ill each month. Since its inception, Dancing with Our Stars has raised $300,000. The event features eight members of the community who take weekly dance lessons, donated by Arthur Murray of Danbury, for three months. Partnering with their Arthur Murray instructor, participants will showcase their skills in a live competition for attendees and a panel of judges. Hillside’s 2024 Dancing with Our Stars participants include: Billy Clifford, Student, Duchess Community College Tom Clifford, Supervisor, Mount Pleasant Water Department Stacey Cohen, CEO, CoCommunications Michael Grace, Esq., Senior Partner, Grace & Grace Shelly Hardie, Managing Partner, Shelty Golf, LLC Izel Steinmann Obermeyer, Chief Clinical Officer, Westchester Institute for Human Development Celeste Pasciolla, Realtor, Keller Williams Realty Partners Joe Pasciolla, Realtor, Keller Williams Realty Partners In addition to their live performance, all Dancing with Our Stars participants are competing for online votes. Friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors are encouraged to vote for their favorite dancer on the Hillside website ahead of time by making a $10 donation per vote. On April 13, four champions will be named – a man and woman in each category. Two will receive the people’s choice award (most votes), and two will be selected by the judges based on their dancing that night. “The unfortunate reality is that today, an increasing number of families, seniors, and vulnerable individuals in our community face the agonizing choice between healthy meals and meeting basic needs,” said Kathy Purdy, CEO and Founder of Hillside Food Outreach. “By supporting Dancing with Our Stars, whether by casting votes online or attending in person, you are helping to changes lives and offer hope to so many neighbors in need.” Hillside is a delivery-only food pantry providing high quality, nutrient-dense foods, staples and essentials to nearly 1,000 households and over 2,000 individuals across Westchester, Putnam and Fairfield Counties, including elderly residents who find it difficult to travel and carry grocery bags; those who are housebound due sickness or disability; and people with health conditions such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension who require nutritious diets. The nonprofit fills the nutrition need while establishing both connection and engagement with those feeling hopeless, alone, or forgotten. Dancing with Our Stars begins at 6 p.m. with dinner, followed by the competition and an after party. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are still available. For additional information or to vote for your favorite dancer, visit hillsidefoodoutreach. org/dancing-with-our-stars. Hillside Food Outreach is headquartered in Mount Kisco and may be reached at 914-747-0095 or by visiting hillsidefoodoutreach.org. Hillside Food Outreach ready to dance with the stars On Saturday, April 13, Hillside Food Outreach will host its 15th annual Dancing with Our Stars at The Summit at Danbury. PUZZLE SOLUTIONS FOR THE WEEK OF 03/14/24 WHY DO WE ADVERTISE IN HALSTON MEDIA’S TO ADVERTISE WITH US, CALL BRETT FREEMAN AT (845) 208-8151 LOCAL NEWSPAPERS? “The saying goes, “shop local.” There is nothing like the local paper in the town you live in and love. My clients enjoy seeing the updated real estate news. We are blessed to still have a local newspaper delivered to our homes. Yorktown News is where you find everything about Yorktown: the good, the bad and the news.” Douglas Dill Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker Houlihan Lawrence Yorktown 914.671.7730 Increase referrals and name recognition. Advertise in The Mt. KiscoBedford Times Bulletin Board and reach over 7,000 USPS delivered mailing addresses every week. Call 845-208-8151 today! NSB neil s berman m o u n t k i s c o g o l d & s i l v e r i n c 139 East Main Street We Buy: Coins/Currency Gold & Silver Jewelry diamonds Watches Coin expert Gold & Silver Bullion Dealer Appraiser 914-244-9500 bermanbuyscollectables.com Honest and Reliable, 30+ years experience. Local Collector/Seller Putnam/Westchester/Orange/Dutchess and more Call or text: 917-699-2496 • email: [email protected] Hope to hear from you! Thanks! BUYING COMIC BOOK COLLECTIONS! TOP PRICES PAID!
APRIL 11 - MAY 8, 2024 THE MT. KISCO-BEDFORD TIMES – PAGE 31 In Case You Missed It The stories below were published on our website inbetween print editions. Never miss another local story again by visiting News.HalstonMedia.com. Scan the QR codes in the summaries below to read the full story. Scan Here To Get The Top Local News Delivered To Your Inbox Daily. Senators Hold Community Conversation About Housing Needs State Senators Pete and Harckham and Shelley Mayer hosted a “Community Conversation about Meeting Local Housing Needs” on March 22, an event that gathered elected officials, housing developers and other stakeholders to discuss the ongoing housing crisis in New York and efforts at mitigation and long-term solutions. The event was hosted at the Bedford Hills Community House by Bedford Town Supervisor Ellen Calves. More than twentyfive participants shared their ideas and concerns, as well as experiences at working to create more housing for area residents. Comedy With a Heart On Friday, April 12, nine of the area’s funniest people will take the stage at Ossining’s Traveler’s Rest for a good cause – to help raise funds for CAREERS Support Solutions’ job placement program for people with disabilities. Produced by comedian Dimitri Giatrakis, the show features a line-up of comics offering a wide mix of styles and subject matter. Post Office Receives Unexpected Delivery The Mount Kisco Post Office is back up and running after a car crashed into its entrance on Wednesday, March 6. Located at 3 Morgan Drive, the post office was temporarily closed in order to give the village’s building inspectors time to determine if it was structurally sound. From Fox Lane to Ancient Egypt Clusters of sixth-graders gathered around different areas of Diana Bastidas’ classroom at Fox Lane Middle School, speaking animatedly in both English and Spanish as they looked at colorful student-made posters hanging on the walls. They were taking part in a gallery walk in their Dual-Language Bilingual Education social studies class. “As part of our Ancient Egypt unit, students have been researching a pharaoh of their choice,” Bastidas said. “We’re having a gallery walk to celebrate their work. Students are displaying their posters, taking notes from each other’s work and leaving positive feedback for their classmates.”
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