The Somers Record 04.29.21

Vol. 11 No. 2 Visit TapIntoSomers.net for the latest news. Thursday, April 29, 2021

UNDEFEATED! Somers celebrates
with the hardware

after the win.

PHOTO: ROB DIANTONIO

Somers tops John Jay to capture regional championship

BY ROB DIANTONIO 17-14 win over rival John Jay- is is literally everything for us; record setting three seasons with Kaiser ended his career with
CONTRIBUTING WRITER Cross River (5-1) in a Section 1 this is our section championship. Somers. a Somers program record 48
Class A regional bowl champion- Just nishing my career and all touchdowns.
It was an unusual football sea- ship game on April 23. the boys careers with a W is liter- “Kaiser is without a doubt the
son to say the least, as the normal ally everything to us and it’ll stick best back in New York State,” “Out of everybody I’ve ever
campaign was pushed from the “It’s everything,” senior Jack with us for the rest of our lives.” Somers coach Tony DeMatteo had to block for, Jack’s de nitely
fall to March and April due to Kaiser said of winning the cham- said. “He’s one of the ve best the easiest,” standout sophomore
COVID-19. pionship. “We haven’t beat this e host Wolves simply backs to ever come out of Section lineman Jake Polito said “He
team in the three years I’ve been couldn’t stop Kaiser, who ended 1 and I’ve been around for 52 makes my mistakes much less se-
But Somers’ varsity squad on varsity. We lost to them twice his high school football career in years so I’ve seen it. I have never vere and it’s a pleasure blocking
made the most of it, completing when I was a sophomore and it’s style. He rushed 36 times for 170 seen Jack Kaiser go down on the
an unbeaten 6-0 season with a been sticking with us ever since. yards and a touchdown to nish a SEE FOOTBALL PAGE 30
rst hit in three years.”

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Page 2 – The Somers Record ELEPHANT’S TRUNK Thursday, April 29, 2021

The Staff Somers Lions Club and application can be found by The Somers Library ly creating with needle and thread.
visiting www.somerslionsclub. e following supplies will be
EDITORIAL TEAM HERBINATOR SCHOLARSHIP org ese events are all virtual.
TOM WALOGORSKY As they have done for the last Please register on the online cal- available from the library via curb-
EDITOR: 914-302-5830 Somers Education endar at www.somerslibrary.org in side pickup: Felt for two projects,
[email protected] two years, the family & friends Foundation order to have access to this meet- gypsy mirrors,embroidery thread,a
of the late Herb Reimann are ing. You will receive an invitation needle, and templates. Please con-
ADVERTISING TEAM awarding a scholarship in his WIZ FIT CHALLENGE prior to the start of the webinar. tact the library to arrange a curb-
PAUL FORHAN memory. e Herbinator Schol- e Harlem Wizards have side pick-up time.  Participants
arship  is a one-time cash award e programs are funded by e will need scissors and some straight
(914) 806-3951 to a graduating high school se- been coming to Somers for the Friends of the Library. anks for pins.You will be automatically reg-
[email protected] nior to be awarded at the Senior past 23 years, and this year they your support! istered for both events when you
Convocation. e entire award are challenging the kids of Prim- register for the April event.
BRUCE HELLER is based on service and merit in rose and Somers Intermediate to YOUR MONEY STORY
(914) 486-7608 giving back to the community. It the Wiz-Fit Challenge. Wiz-Fit Tuesday, May 4, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. KEY ESTATE PLANNING
[email protected] is not based on academic or ath- stands for Wellness, Imagina- Join Julie Genjac,Managing Di- STRATEGIES
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LISA KAIN of giving from the heart and tion and Teamwork. If you are a rector, Applied Insights and Judi Tuesday, May 11, 12:30 - 1:30
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[email protected] by your actions. Applications are ter your child for free and they show you how to discover your
CORINNE STANTON due by April 30. Contact Tracy will get prizes for participating. money story and gain a deeper e challenges of the last year
(914) 760-7009 Reimann for any additional in- Students can also fundraise and understanding of your relationship have given new meaning to how
[email protected] formation at 914-393-7544. can qualify for more prizes. If with money, as well as change any we plan for life’s expected - and
you don’t have a K-5th Grader, behaviors that might be interfering unexpected - events. Join Lauren
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Thursday, April 29, 2021 The Somers Record – Page 3

Your Neighbor

Limelight

Somers senior enters
international drumming contest

BY TOM WALOGORSKY the 13-17 year old group, and was

EDITOR the recipient of a prize pack with

sticks, shirts, and other gear from

“I was always just tapping on the event’s music industry spon-

my desk at school,” explains Taylor sors.

Setterstrom. For Taylor Setterstrom, her mu-

e Somers High School senior sical journey began several years

is currently participating in the ago when a twist of fate pointed

tenth annual Hit Like A Girl con- her towards drumming.

test. e event is an international “I originally wanted to take

competition for female drummers, guitar lessons at my local music

percussionists,and beat makers.For school,” recalls Taylor. “But they

the past decade, Hit Like A Girl didn’t have any slots open for me.

has aimed to encourage and show- Since there were no space for me

case drumming and percussion for in the guitar class, my dad asked

girls,women,and gender expansive if I wanted to take drum lessons

individuals, with no limits set on instead.” Taylor Setterstrom performing with the house band at School of Rock in Bedford.
age, skill level, or geographic loca- Before she began her drumming

tion. e contestants are judged lessons at Putnam Music Center in

virtually by a panel of professionals Mahopac, Taylor had no previous Bedford. e program is not only cal career are both looking bright.

on the criteria of performance, pre- musical experience. aimed at helping musicians attain In the fall, she will be attending

sentation, and personality. “It just came naturally to me,” pro ciency, but also focuses on SUNY New Paltz, where she will

is will be Taylor’s second year she says. giving them experience with per- be majoring in music and pursu-

participating in the contest. Last After a while, Taylor moved forming in a band. ing a minor in either mathematics

year, she was named one of Hit on and eventually found herself “ ey teach you about being a or science.

Like A Girl’s weekly winners from drumming at School of Rock in part of a band and performing at When asked about the people

all di erent types of venues,”Tay- who have supported her in her

lor explains. musical endeavors, Taylor credits

ree years ago, she would suc- several key individuals.

cessfully audition and become part “De nitely my school band

of School of Rock’s house band. teacher, Mr. Reynolds,” she says.

“It was a lot of fun, I got to meet “I owe it all to him, I don’t know

all these new kids and learn what where I’d be without him. He

it’s like to perform with them and taught me to read sheet mu-

play at all these awesome venues,” sic and helped me learn to play PHOTOS COURTESY OF
she recalls. with dynamics which I’ve always TAYLOR SETTERSTROM
struggled with. And of course,
Taylor Setterstrom lists classic my parents, because they were Taylor Setterstrom will attend
rock and funk as her main musical the ones that actually got me into SUNY New Paltz next year.
in uences.

“I love Red Hot Chili Peppers, music. And my drum instructor at

Rush, and Led Zeppelin,” she School of Rock, Lou Caldarola.” with upcoming shows scheduled

says. Demonstrating a true pas- for Katonah Nights on April 30,

In addition to School of Rock, sion for her craft, Taylor is also a and the Sunday Funday Market at

Taylor is also a member of the member of two other bands. She Kahlo in Pound Ridge on May 2.

Somers High School symphonic performs with Crimson Crush, “We’ve had quite a few gigs,

band. Ironically, she was also nal- a newly formed group of New and it’s been going really well,”

ly able to take guitar classes there Paltz freshmen, and Puppets for says Taylor.

as well, learning it as a secondary Hire, a band consisting of high

instrument. school students from throughout For more information about the

Taylor is a member of both Crimson Crush and Puppets for Hire. As her time at SHS draws to Westchester. e latter has been Hit Like A Girl drum contest, visit
a close, Taylor’s future and musi- performing steadily in the area, https://hitlikeagirlcontest.com

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Page 4 – The Somers Record Thursday, April 29, 2021

Board of Ed adopts 2021-22 budget

BY CAROL REIF supported by local taxpayers. e Somers typically faces less only pertains to when property cent, over this year’s $81,123,005.

STAFF WRITER Board of Education adopted the scary numbers. owners can seek relief, not for e budget falls below the

2021-2022 $97,483,143 spend- Platania cited a massive case how long their cases drag on in state tax levy cap.

It’s raining more than a few ing plan Wednesday, April 21. backlog - apparently due to a court. If it’s rejected, the district can

pennies from heaven for Somers It sets aside tax certiorari re- shortage of judges and court per- “Once they le, it’s in the sys- go straight to a contingency plan

schools. serves of $4.5 million - the sonnel - plus “a few big ones” that tem. at’s the only deadline that or reintroduce the budget as is -

With more state aid than an- trouble is, close to $23 million in are coming Somers’s way. they have to meet. Anything else, or in a revised version - on June

ticipated and a boost from federal plainti claims have accumulated While things are not as gloomy there’s nothing we can do about 15.

COVID relief funding, the folks over several years. ey won’t af- as they seem - not every suit is won it, nothing,” the attorney said. If the plan goes down twice,

who put together the district’s fect the upcoming budget, but and some are withdrawn - several Marra suggested that if school the district must adopt a contin-

budget can safely forecast sunnier will be resolved eventually. trustees remained troubled by the districts want to “make a stink,” gency budget of $95,906,940 and

scal skies - at least for 2021- Some districts have “basically uncertainty. ey asked Tuesday they could ask state legislators to a tax levy of $81,123,005.

2022. nothing” set aside for this pur- if it would be a good idea for the lobby Albany for more judges. Voters will also be asked to ap-

However, it may just be the pose while others have rainy day district and town to team up to “ at’s what’s going to push it prove a proposition on an Energy

calm before the tax certiorari funds that cover up to 50 percent advocate for legal changes such as through, not anything else,” he Performance Contract. e dis-

storm. of tax certiorari claims, said Su- setting deadlines for tax certiorari explained. trict is already set to get 25 per-

e legal process gives proper- perintendent for Business Chris resolutions. Resolving assessment appeals cent in state funding for its $8.9

ty owners the right to challenge Platania. ere’s about 20 percent “It’s not a comfortable spot to faster doesn’t necessarily change million project. It intends to go

real estate assessments in order to in the district’s own reserves, a sit year after year wondering if the size of the district’s potential forward regardless but by putting

lower their tax bills. Apparently, “good spot” to be, he said Tues- these pending suits are going to tax hit, trustee Chadwick Olsen it up for a vote the district gets an

the pandemic’s impact on the day, April 20. all of a sudden come up and we’re noted. extra 10 percent in aid - or about

economy has spurred a signi - “I think we’re kind of right in going to be responsible for them,” “ at’s the precarious situation $850,000 - to play with.

cant increase in those appeals. the middle. We’re just preparing said board president Dr. Lindsay we have when we have approxi- e project swaps old lights for

While some school budgets ourselves for these large tax cer- Portnoy. mately 90 percent of our budget more e cient LED ones; installs

rely heavily on outside aid, in torari matters that might get set- Trustee Joseph Marra pointed funded locally,” he said. new heating, cooling and ventila-

Somers’s case, about 90 percent is tled in the next few years or so.” out that the statute of limitations tion systems; and replaces vintage

THE BUDGET boilers. ey must pay for them-

e proposed budget for selves over an 18-year period,

ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES. 2021-2022 is $97,483,143, up although state aid ends after 15
$2,824,321, or 2.98 percent, over years. Taking energy cost savings
the current $94,658,822 spend- into account, there will be “zero

ing plan. impact” on taxpayers, school of-

e proposed tax levy of cials said. e contractors are

EXPERT HELP. $82,699,208 represents an in- SEE BUDGET PAGE 26
crease of $1,576,203 or 1.94 per-

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Page 6 – The Somers Record Thursday, April 29, 2021

Officials debate future of town planner role

BY CAROL REIF sition reverted to part-time status. Clinchy said. ning services to the town. Mor- gineering part under one roof,”said
STAFF WRITER Mary Beth Murphy was town su- Cirieco, saying that he had rissey also con rmed that to date member Bruce Prince.
pervisor at the time. no contracts have been signed.
e recent departure of its town Dym’s “mobile number,”joked that Citing the need for checks and
planner has left Somers at a bit of Supervisor Rick Morrissey, who he was going to extend that con- However, Woodard & Curran balances, Prince said he was wor-
a crossroads. praised Dym as a “consummate nection as long as he could. has planners on sta who could as- ried problems could arise if one
professional,” said “her knowledge sist Somers while it decides which
Should it keep the position full and contacts with other planners According to Morrissey, Dym path to take, Robbins said at a rm or one person were wearing
time or reduce it to part time as a throughout the county have really o ered her services as a consultant recent Planning Board meeting. two hats.
previous administration had re- bene ted our town.” so the transition to whatever comes
portedly done during a budget next can be as “seamless” as pos- e engineering, science and op- As for the possibility that the
crunch? While the town ponders Somers is “grateful for the time sible. at could include working erations company serves public and planning position could revert to
the question, its engineering con- we had her and wish her nothing with the town’s engineering con- private clients all over the country. part time, Prince said he felt that
sultants appear ready to help out, at but the best in her retirement,” sultants, Woodard & Curran. Both Robbins and Joe Barbagallo, if the object was “to save money” it
least for a few months. Morrissey added at the Town its president of consulting, live in shouldn’t be done “on the backs of
Board’s meeting on ursday, Meanwhile, the town is weigh- Somers. the planning of this town.”
Municipal planners provide in- April 1. ing its options. Harking back to
put on whether projects comply the mid-1990s, when Somers was Planning Board members in- “I think it’s too important,” he
with zoning codes and are con- Councilman Anthony Cirieco undergoing a growth “spurt,”Mor- dicated last week that, while they asserted.
sistent with the local master plan. echoed those sentiments. rissey said the “economics were valued Woodard & Curran and
there” and enough things were the good work it does, they are still Claiming Somers is already
ey help towns make sure they “I want to say she was a great happening to justify having a full- rooting for the timely hiring of a “behind the eight ball” compared
are following the proper procedures person to work with. I learned a time planner on board. full-time independent planner. to the “progression in plans” some
during the permitting process. lot from her,”he said, recalling De- other Westchester towns have had,
Cicco & Sons, the town’s “planned “I do see things slowing down Robbins was present during board member Chris Zaberto said
ey and their sta s also help hamlet,” and a few other projects now, so do we really need a full- a lengthy and somewhat tense “letting go of a position that’s been
obtain and administer grants for that occurred during Dym’s nine- time planner?”he asked. discussion of the situation on budgeted in the past is foolish.”
town projects, such as EV charg- year tenure. Wednesday, April 14. Several
ing stations, creating sewer/water Woodard & Curran has helped board members, including Chair- Zaberto said he fears that back-
districts or putting a new roof on Councilman Richard Clinchy, Somers manage growth, devel- man John Currie, felt they had tracking would send the wrong
an historic building. who had gone to Dym with a plan- opment and its infrastructure for been kept in the dark about Dym’s kind of message.
ning question or two last month, about a dozen years, according to pending retirement until the last
Syrette Dym o cially retired said she was accessible right up to project manager Steve Robbins. minute. Planners and engineers, “Now, what’s the next position
last month after nearly a decade of the end. while having some overlapping to get contracted in? Are we go-
serving rst as the town’s part-time e mission is to “maintain the skills, still have di erent perspec- ing to contract out highway? Are
planner and later as its full-time e “length and thoughtfulness” quality of life for its residents,” he tives and approaches to projects. we going to give up police services?
director of planning.Her predeces- of her answers really impressed said. Are we going to give up all of the
sor, Sabrina D. Charney Hull, was him. It showed that, while she was “With no disrespect to Wood- things that we have that fall under
full time at rst,but took a job with moving on, Dym “cares about the Robbins explained that, while ard & Curran, I’m really not crazy the direct control of the town?
another town after her Somers po- work that she’s done and she cares there have been discussions, as of about having the planning and en-
about the future of the town,” Monday, April 19, there was no “ at’s my concern. I know
formal agreement to provide plan-
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Thursday, April 29, 2021 The Somers Record – Page 7

Somers to celebrate Digging in for the Earth
Tree City distinction
Green thumbs were abundant on Earth Day at Somers Intermediate
BY CAROL REIF Besides adding to the town’s “aesthetic char- School. Students celebrated the day by weeding and planting their school
STAFF WRITER acter,” they lter groundwater, provide shade garden.
in the summer, and maintain habitats for local
Somers will be celebrating its recent desig- “It was fun to be outside and know that we were helping the earth,”says
nation as a “Tree City” with - what else? - the ora and fauna. Isabella Ciavardini, a fourth-grade student in Beth Monteleone’s class.
planting of an oak. e Tree Board’s duties and responsibilities
Students in several di erent classes helped prepare pots of owers that
e 6-foot-tall sapling, grown as part of an include: advising other boards and departments were to be planted for every class in the school. Each class then had the
Eagle Scout project, will take root at its new about where new trees should be planted on opportunity to head to the garden to plant their class’s ower.
home at Angle Fly Preserve on Friday, April 30. municipally owned land; making recommen-
dations to the Highway and Parks and Rec- “We put some new soil in the garden and dug some holes and took
e Arbor Day event is set for 10 a.m. near reation Departments, as well as the Historic weeds out,” says student Matthew Van Tassell. “It is caring for the earth
the old Reynolds house. e nature preserve’s Properties Board - entities responsible for the and it makes it a better place.”
entrance is located just south of Reis Park on management and care of the town’s trees, parks
Route 139. and open spaces; and fostering community “ ey did such a great job sprucing up our gardens,” says Assistant
support and “good citizen tree management Principal Linda Belger. “Everyone had a chance to get dirty.”
Tree City USA has been greening up cit- practices” through public education campaigns
ies and towns across America since 1976. e and knowledge sharing. e garden project coincided with the fourth-grade science unit on the
nationwide movement provides the framework food chain.
necessary for communities to manage and ex- It also coordinates and promotes annual Ar-
pand their public trees, according to the Open bor Day activities. “Flowers are at the bottom of the food chain,” says Morgan Coughlin.
Space Committee. ( e committee is now the “ e owers give bees pollen, and the bees give us honey.”
town’s new “Tree Board.”) While the secular day of observances usually
takes place in the spring, the date can vary de- anks to the students’ e orts, the garden is now doing double duty as
Somers joins the more than 3,400 communi- pending on climate and suitable planting season. an environmental
ties that have achieved Tree City USA status oasis, and a beau-
by meeting four core standards of sound ur- ARBOR DAY’S ROOTS tiful spot for an
ban forestry management: maintaining a tree e rst documented tree-planting extrava- outdoor lesson or a
board or department, having a community tree mask break.
ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on ganza took place in 1594 in the Spanish vil-
urban forestry, and celebrating Arbor Day. e lage of Mondoñedo, where the o spring of the Content provided
board’s mission is to promote the health of original limes and horse chestnuts still ourish. by Somers Central
“one of our most important town resources, our School District.
community forest.” Arbor Day arrived on our shores in 1872,
when an estimated one million trees were The garden project
According to a memo sent to OSC members, planted in Nebraska. coincided with a
trees on public lands and along local roads provide science lesson
“a wealth of economic and social bene ts.” For more information about the Tree City USA about the food
program, visit www.arborday.org chain.

PHOTO COURTESY OF
SOMERS CENTRAL
SCHOOL DISTRICT

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Page 8 – The Somers Record Thursday, April 29, 2021

Clever contraption baffles beavers The team deploying the Beaver baffling
device at Rhinoceros Creek Reservation.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SOMERS LAND TRUST

BY CAROL REIF trees and shrubs to construct dams First, the intrepid team had to
STAFF WRITER across streams. is creates bigger
clear away giant boulders to create

wetlands for their family homes, a at surface for one of the metal

Keeping ooding from harming aka lodges, where they’re safe from fence cages to rest against.

precious natural resources and man- predators such as coyotes, foxes, Two were constructed, one for

made infrastructure has kept some and bears. each end of the 12-inch-wide pipe,

local folks busy as, well, beavers. Basically, they’re going for maxi- which had to be placed just so in

e Somers Land Trust has mum habitat with the least amount order to prevent too much water

been battling the buck-toothed ro- of work. from escaping the pond.

dents’ dam-building at Angle Fly Beavers will eat all types of plant e holes in the fencing also

Preserve and Rhinoceros Creek matter - including grasses, ferns, had to be large enough to let water

Reservation for what seems like and mushrooms - but some of ow through, but not so big that

forever. As soon as its volunteers their favorites noshes are willow, baby beavers, or kits, could wiggle It’s a win-win situation. Water When beaves create them, they

tear the mud-and-branch struc- alder, poplar, and birch bark buds, through them. continues to ow freely through build ecological “wealth”in the area

tures down, the determined critters stems, and twigs. Aitchison donned a wetsuit and, the culvert and the beavers are hap- surrounding the so-called “con ict

move in and slap them back up. ey tuck these woody snacks using pontoons, oated one end of py. e project cost about $1,600 point.”

But now they have a new weapon away underwater for wintertime the pipe out into the middle of the and took three days to complete. e Trust is seeking a permit to

in their arsenal – beaver ba ers. when other edibles are scarce. pond and let it go so it could sink e low-tech ruse seems to be do something similar at Angle Fly,

A combination of piping and to the bottom. e pipe itself can working, MacGregor said. MacGregor said. A family of bea-

cages made of fencing, the seem- THE PROJECT handle 282,000 gallons of water an e only other option would vers has taken up residence in the

ingly simple devices keep beavers e Trust had to get a “nuisance hour, which keeps the pond’s level have been to trap them, but since pond next to the preserve’s Memo-

from plugging up culverts, which beaver permit” from the state De- where it belongs. it’s illegal to re-locate rodents, the ry Garden.Two smaller dams have

can damage roads. ey also sta- partment of Environmental Con- e other cage was placed next animals would have had to have been detected upstream.

bilize pond levels and prevent servation (DEC) before the project to the driveway culvert, where bea- been killed, something nature con- With this more humane ap-

groundwater from contaminating could begin. vers like to dam because they’re servationists are loathe to do. proach, it seems to be a win-win

nearby aquifers. ( ere are several Michael Barnhart and Bob attracted to the sound of running While guns and traps are a situation for both the animals and

wells at Rhinoceros Creek that tap MacGregor, its president and vice water. e team disguised it with “free” remedy, the results are of- their human neighbors.

into the aquifer that supplies the president, then teamed up with some debris from the dam demo- ten short-lived and give people a

Heritage Hills condo complex beaver expert and former Somers lition project, hoping to encour- false sense of security because the For more information about the

PANY ID with drinking water.) FACE MASsthtKuedebnetavDer-adnecAeiivticnhgisodnevitcoesinasttalal age the beavers to pack its outsides troublesome varmints can easily be Somers Land Trust, visit www.
ADGE
with twigs and mud. replaced by other beaver tenants, somerslandtrust.org.

WHY BEAVERS DO WHATCOMPANYRhinoceros Creek pond. Aitchison at’s the deception - rebuild- wildlife experts say.

THEY DO UNIFORMis senior curator of wildlife for the ing the dam makes them feel like Beaver behavior isn’t all bad. For more information about beaver

Being slow on land, theWITHatL-OGWO estchester County Department of they’re “doing their job,” Mac- Wetlands also help out insects, ba ing devices, go to www.

ASURING tailed critters topple shoCrLeIPlinBeOARPDarks, Recreation and Conservation. Gregor said last week. birds, reptiles, and other mammals. beaverdeceivers.com.
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Thursday, April 29, 2021 The Somers Record – Page 9

Board of Education race takes shape

BY CAROL REIF dergarten next year. football, and basketball. He coaching SYSO girls basketball. also raises funding for local fam-

STAFF WRITER López is currently seeking a is active in the Somers Youth As a volunteer, Padovani has ilies in need.

master’s in business leadership Sports Organization (SYSO). raised money for charities as Padovani said his nancial

e public had the chance and has degrees in organiza- He also helped develop a Heroes in Transition, which as- and business experience gives

this week to meet - via a virtual tional management and crimi- mentor program where he works sists military veterans and their him knowledge about the way

forum - the ve folks compet- nal justice from Manhattanville and has mentored military vet- families; Relay for Life, a fund- budgets work. A former student

ing for two spots on the Somers College and Westchester Com- erans transitioning back to civil- raising event for the American athlete, he wants to keep school

Board of Education. munity College respectively. He ian life. Cancer Society; and Support sports “healthy and competitive.”

e Monday, April 26, was a member of the district’s Mancini said he wants to con- Connection, a nonpro t that As someone who had

ZOOM event was hosted by the Transportation Task Force and tribute to the improvement of supports women dealing with SEE BOE PAGE 28
Somers PTA Council and mod- the operations subcommittee of “our small town.” Schools have breast and ovarian cancer. He

erated by the League of Women its Reentry Coalition. “the most signi cant impact on

Voters. López said that his experi- our kids, families, friendships, BEDFORD GRAVEL
For those who missed it - it ence in law enforcement will careers, and property values,” he & LANDSCAPE SUPPLY
bring a “di erent perspective” said.
will be posted on the school dis- to the board. He plans to focus • Gravel • Topsoil • Mulches
trict’s website and broadcast on on safety and security issues and “As a board member my skills • Sweet Peet • Unilock Pavers
Channel 18. policies and other things that are allow me to bring a balance of
oversight in making sure the • Sand • Stonedust
A little bit about the candi-

dates: necessary to support the reentry needs of our community are met
process. without getting in the way of
GILBERT LÓPEZ our administration.”
López, a criminal investigator López also wants to advocate
for children’s social and emo- PAUL PADOVANI
with the White Plains Public tional needs.

Safety Department, has been in Padovani, the owner of a - • Item #4 • Drainage Pipe
• Flagstone • Fieldstone
law enforcement for 18 years. NICHOLAS MANCINI nancial advisory rm and an

e majority of his career has Mancini has had a long career insurance brokerage, has a de-

been in community policing. He in the computer science eld. gree in business economics from • Belgian Block
was a school resource o cer, Among the positions he’s held SUNY Oneonta. He is also a li- • Cobblestones • Wallstone
an investigator for the White were chief technology o cer at censed mortgage loan o cer.

Plains force’s domestic violence several investment banks and Padovani and his wife, a spe- • Fire Pits • Stepping Stones • Soil/Fill
unit, and a liaison to the His- large tech rms. cial education teacher, have two
27 Norm Ave., Mt. Kisco (next to Kohl’s)
panic community. He and his wife have lived in school-age children. ey are
He and his wife, a high school Somers for 14 years and have both lifelong Somers residents. www.bedfordgravel.com
three school-age children.
teacher, have two children, He has been active in com- 914-241-3851
one of whom attends Somers Mancini coaches boys and munity athletic programs, from
schools. e other will be in kin- girls lacrosse, football, girls ag men’s softball to directing and

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Page 10 – The Somers Record Thursday, April 29, 2021

Opinion

Happily
Ever
After

LETTERS Paraprosdokians II

No mail in my address whether it’s from UPS, JUST Fun Facts
Lincolndale? FedEx or even a visitor cannot nd JO ANN by Jo Ann
me and GPS sends them to the
To the editor, duplicate street in Mahopac. is is JO ANN In Greek, “paraprosdokians” means
I am a very content Lincolndale very confusing and frustrating! FRANCELLA unexpected endings.

resident of 21 years, enjoying coun- Trying to get my driver’s license Several months ago I wrote a column titled have to walk really fast or he’ll die.”- e
try living, loving the town and all it renewed without having two forms Paraprosdokians. Golden Girls
has to o er. e schools are wonder- of address that were the same was I received so much fun and positive
ful and the new addition of younger hair pulling! Anyway, the point feedback that I’ve decided to write another. A “I’m not superstitious, but I am a little bit
families moving in has energized our of this writing is that I have tried paraprosdokian is a sentence or statement with stitious.”- e O ce
community even more. reaching out to our Town Supervi- an unexpected, often comical ending.
sor, Westchester District Consumer “Her lips say no, but her eyes say “read my
If you’re a Somers resident you al- Industries, Senator Harckham, Rep- Comedians are the best at putting their lips.”- Frasier
ready know all this, but do all Somers resentative Sean Maloney, as well as special spin on a sentence:
residents know that if you live in emailing Albany and it seems that “She thinks I’m too critical and that’s another
Lincolndale as I do, we do not get I keep hitting a dead end. Everyone “I’ve had a perfectly wonderful evening, but fault of hers.”- Arrested Development
mail delivered? If you happen to live is sympathetic to the problem, some this wasn’t it.”- Groucho Marx
on a duplicate named street as Ma- even surprised to hear such a thing Some famous writers have also thrown their
hopac has, Mahopac will not deliver. exists, but no one seems to be able “When I was a kid my parents moved a lot, hats into the paraprosdokian ring:
When buying my home, I assumed to help. but I always found them.”- Rodney Danger-
that mail delivery was a normal ser- “Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in
vice that we receive, but after visiting I would gladly consider adding a eld the world; I’ve done it thousands of times.”-
the Lincolndale post o ce I found number to my address to di erenti- “My husband can’t stand to see trash and Mark Twain
that is not the case. Lincolndale does ate the duplicate road situation as I’m garbage lying around the house. He can’t stand
not deliver mail. sure others would do the same, and the competition.”- Phyllis Diller “Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be.”- Peter
instead of having Mahopac as our “Death is caused by swallowing small DeVries
I was told my only option was to address, why not Lincolndale with amounts of saliva over a long period of time.”-
get a post o ce box. I had the box the Mahopac zip of 10541? George Carlin “People say nothing is impossible, but I do
for a few years until their hours of “ e company accountant is shy and retiring. nothing every day.”- A.A. Milne
operation, more speci cally 1-2:30 I realize that those who have been He’s shy a quarter of a million dollars, that’s
when they are closed, was not con- here for many years and been com- why he’s retiring.”- Milton Berle “When I was young I used to think money
venient for me. Fortunately, a family fortable with the way things are may “I’m a very tolerant man except when it was the most important thing in life. Now that
moved here on a non-duplicate street want to “opt out” of any changes that comes to holding a grudge.”- Robin Williams I am old, I know it is.”- Oscar Wilde
and their mailbox is on Lakeshore could possibly be made, and that is “I saw a bank that said 24-hour banking, but
North which we share and is now my their choice. However, I know there I don’t have that much time.”- Steven Wright “He’s a writer for the ages, ages 4-8.”- Doro-
mailing address. e problem is now are many who would very willingly “Half of all marriages end in divorce and thy Parker
I have a mailing address di erent give up their expensive post o ce then there are really unhappy ones.”- Joan
from my physical address and it is boxes for delivery to their home. Rivers And lest we forget the humor from some of
Mahopac, not Lincolndale. And, one of my favorites: our politicians:
is is the 21st century and progress “Take my wife, please.”- Henny Youngman
In speaking to the Mahopac seems to have stalled when it comes Movies and television shows have penned “You know nothing for sure except the fact
postmaster about delivery to my to mail delivery in Lincolndale. some memorable paraprosdokians as well: that you know nothing for sure.”- John F. Ken-
home even though I would have to Hopefully this letter will spark a re “If I could say a few words, I would be a bet- nedy
have a Mahopac address, I was told and the appropriate departments will ter speaker.”- e Simpsons
that streets in my area with the same “You can lead a herring to water, but you “Blessed are the young for they shall inherit
name as those in Mahopac wasn’t x an antiquated system. the national dept.”- Herbert Hoover
possible because it would be too con- Any and all help in trying to rec-
fusing for delivery. I agree, because tify this situation would be greatly “People say I’m indecisive, but I don’t know
trying to get any kind of delivery to appreciated. about that.”- George H.W. Bush

Sincerely, Time ies like an arrow, fruit ies like a
Joanne Seminara banana. - Unknown

[email protected]

BRETT FREEMAN, PUBLISHER 118 N, BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 Letters to the editor and op-ed submissions may be edited.
TOM WALOGORSKY , EDITOR The views and opinions expressed in letters and op-eds are
TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL, CREATIVE DIRECTOR MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 not necessarily those of The Somers Record or its affiliates.
Editorial Office: 914-302-5830 ©2021 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC Submissions must include a phone number and address for
[email protected]
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

Thursday, April 29, 2021 OPINION The Somers Record – Page 11

Perception A whole new
ballgame
THE comes out of something bad. boy and his parent being brought
SEASONED While the men were called to to a hospital after a bad acci- MAN each Major League ballclub
CITIZEN dent? “Oh, my,”says the nurse, OVERBOARD had to designate an “Infection
ght a war, women were able to “that’s the doctor’s son.”Most Control Prevention Coordina-
ADRIENNE take their places in the working people couldn’t gure out that the RICK tor.” is should be someone in
KAVELLE world. ey were hired for jobs injured parent was the father and MELÉN the organization whom everyone
men never thought they could the doctor was the mother. It is already hates. “Hey boss, I think
We used to wear hats. do: assembly line workers, bus our perception that needs to be Baseball is only one sport of you’re going to like what we’ve
We used to wear drivers, personal secretaries and changed, not our abilities…and many that will be navigat- done so far. Not only did we
petticoats. We used proved they were as capable as what we wear colors our percep- ing the tricky waters of a PREVENT infection control,
to wear white gloves. We used to the opposite sex. tion. post-covid reality as more and but we COORDINATED it! I
wear fur coats (if we could a ord more people get vaccinated, but think even you would agree that
them) and mink stoles were all When things calmed down Can you imagine women not all. this new job title has elevated me
the rage. men tried to put the ‘little running around in mink stoles to my best self!”
woman’back where she belonged, today, wearing short white gloves Since I love the game, let’s
In the previous generation in the kitchen to be a home- to parties, and hiding their ankles examine the rami cations of the ere are more rules: 1.) You
women wore open galoshes maker and play the role of the under long skirts? My favorite virus on this sport, and we can should lather up with hand sani-
( appers) and men wore fur coats lesser person once again…too story about men being in uenced extrapolate them to the larger tizer before you punch out the
(BMOC). Women’s skirts have late, guys! Many women did not by what they wear is Clark Gable socioeconomic patterns that we water cooler after a strikeout. 2.)
gone from covering our ankles to give up their new found capabili- in “It Happened One Night.”He will be confronting in the coming If you’re ordered to quarantine at
thigh high. ties and, although still ghting was the epitome of masculinity months. All this is a nice way home, at least move to the side so
even now, retained their equality and when he removed his shirt in of saying that the Yankees suck the batter can hit. 3.) Players may
Does fashion change because to men. the movie, he was not wearing an right now. Going into 2021, Ma- not visit bars, indoor gatherings
we follow the designers or do undershirt. e bottom fell out of jor League Baseball has adopted of more than 10 people or at-
they follow us? As women gained Men cannot birth babies and the undershirt business. Very few some guidelines to make the tend other potentially dangerous
more freedom we ‘let our hair most women do not void stand- men would ever wear one again. game as safe as possible, and they social situations such as giving an
down’by cutting it o and raised ing up. In all else we are equal. As re ect the attitudes Americans ocelot a bath. 4.) Stadiums must
our skirts nding it easier to a matter of fact I’ve always won- Wearing jeans and tee-shirts have toward health policies, the be limited to 20 percent capacity.
move around in short skirts. We dered why, when women were levels our point of view and we re-opening and sports in general. If you are a fan of the Tampa Bay
also started wearing (heavens expected to be the family cooks, see each other as we are. Good- Rays, this will not a ect you very
to Betsy!) pants. Sad to say, the men were always thought of as bye little white gloves, goodbye Before the start of the season, much, as that number is about a
boost to do this was given by the better chefs. Equality was Stetson hats, goodbye petticoats,
World War 2. What a sorry way hidden under the clothes we were goodbye undershirts…hello SEE MELEN PAGE 12
to acquire maturity but, like the expected to wear. Aside from the equality.
pandemic, some good always aforementioned di erences men
and women trained the same way Contact Adrienne at: ergosum1@
are capable of doing the same job. comcast.net

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Thursday, April 29, 2021 OPINION The Somers Record – Page 13

When it’s not OK to ask if everything’s ok

because when the guy in sponded. “Possibly the second. face would start to turn blue time and then question their
Definitely the third.” and the legs started to cross, status when I decided they
TRACY question exits the bathroom, followed by the crotch grab had been in there too long, I
BECKERMAN he glares at me and asks me I’m not actually sure why and the “gotta go now” dance, still had trouble shaking the
why I do that. I ask that question. I think I knew I had to give in and habit. is is when I realized I
it comes from the days when let the chips fall where they didn’t need to stop asking the
“Well, I just want to make the kids were little and new may, or rather, the pee fly question, I just had to nd the
at the whole bathroom thing. where it did. appropriate time to use it.
sure you are OK,” I stammer. Although I understood that
part of them feeling grown So, I got into the habit of So, the next time I let the
“If I am NOT OK, I will up was having privacy in the standing outside the bath- dog out to do his business and
bathroom, I was nevertheless room door and asking, “Ev- it took him a while to come
either yell for help, or slip a concerned that they would erything OK?” which loosely back in, I felt perfectly ne
There is this thing that I piece of toilet paper under break some toilet taboo like translated to, “Do I need to yelling, “Everything OK out
do that annoys the heck the door that says, “I’m consti- not get their pants down the come in there with a mop and there??”
out of my family. Well, pated. Call 911.” whole way, not wipe good bucket and hazmat suit?”
to be honest, there are a lot of I shrug. “I can’t help my- enough, or, heaven forbid, This is a repeated Lost in
miss the toilet completely. Soon, I was asking every- Suburbia column, which has
things, but I am thinking of self.” Since this was most likely body who used our bathroom appeared in GateHouse Media
to happen at someone else’s the same question: e kids, newspapers since 2008. You
one thing in particular. “What are you worried house, it had the effect of my husband, visiting relatives, can follow Tracy on Facebook
making me a nervous wreck friends and dignitaries who at https://www.facebook.
Whenever someone is in the might be happening in there?” whenever someone announced were in the bathroom just a com/LostinSuburbiaFanPage
they “had to go.” For a while little too long. and read her blog at www.
bathroom for what I deter- He wondered. “I fell into I tried the old, “Can you hold tracybeckerman.com.
it in?” plea, but when their Although I knew it was
mine to be an abnormally long the toilet and drowned? Hit not really appropriate to keep
track of someone’s bathroom
period of time, I stand outside myself in the head with the

the bathroom door and yell, plunger and got a concussion?

“EVERYTHING OKAY Climbed out the window and

IN THERE?” ran off with some woman

I don’t know if it’s a woman who doesn’t ask me if every-

thing or a mom thing, or thing is OK when I’m in the

maybe a combination of both. bathroom too long?”

It’s de nitely not a guy thing “Not the first one,” I re-

Letters and Op-Ed Policy
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 Somers Record
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.

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Page 14 – The Somers Record OPINION Thursday, April 29, 2021

After a tough year, should we give our kids the summer o ?

STRONG help them out. months. ey always do because of students over the weekend. Also, however, one of your children tells
LEARNING We feel we’re doing the right summer slide, but this September, be sure that you do not have to you that they’re nervous about
after a semester of online learning, sign a contract saying that you going back in the fall because they
DR. LINDA thing, but obviously aren’t that sure they’ll need to review more. paid for a certain number of hours really don’t remember much from
SILBERT we are. We don’t want them sitting in case you want to go away for a this past year, look at your sched-
bewildered in class while their With that said, if you’re con- weekend. ules and have a tutor meet with
Dear Dr. Linda, classmates are doing great because cerned that your kids will feel them on a regular reasonable time
All our friends are sending their they had tutoring over the sum- uncomfortable because they’ll be Or you can do what you before school opens.
mer. What’s your opinion? the only ones bewildered due to planned on doing, and hire a
kids for tutoring this summer to the fact that their peers were tu- tutor when the need arises. In the Dr. Linda
an after-camp program. Yes, that’s Ben and Beth tored over the summer, then look vast majority of cases, tutoring is
what I said—they’re going after a Dear Ben and Beth, into hiring a private tutor that helpful and successful if a child is Please contact me at linda@
full day of day camp! Besides the matches your children’s schedules. struggling. You won’t know that stronglearning.com, if you have any
fact that our kids are refusing to I understand why your friends Many private tutors work with until school begins in the fall. If, school-related question.
go (and, by the way, theirs don’t are sending their children for
want to go either), we think it’s tutoring over the summer. It’s
crazy. ey’ll be too tired to learn well documented that many
anything. In addition, we want our students “slide backwards”during
kids to have a really fun summer the summer months anyway, but
because the past year was horrible given COVID and virtual school-
on Zoom for all three of them. ing, probably the majority of the
We know some kids did ne, but children will be entering school in
not ours. ey need the classroom. September without all of the skills
Anyway, we feel they’ll do ne and knowledge they traditionally
when school opens in September, need for the grade they’re in.
because the teachers know what
happened. ey’ll have to spend However, as you said, how
a little more time reviewing than much will they learn after a full
usual, but things will eventually day of camp? Even though many
get back to normal, and if one children go for tutoring after a full
of our kids gets stuck on some day of school, they’re not as physi-
subject, we’ll get a private tutor to cally tired as they will be after a
full day of day camp where they’ll
be outside playing softball and
basketball, swimming, canoeing,
etc.

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Thursday, April 29, 2021 OPINION The Somers Record – Page 15

A living, green tower

WHATWAS another kitty and will start my you believe that the last blossom fell to me by my grandkids, Nicholas, the tower and I get such pleasure
I THINKING? search very soon. o just a few days ago? is plant, Brennan and Brianna, it is purple seeing them continue to thrive in
too, is healthy and lush. and printed on the front are these their new location. When a new
RUTHANN e kitty tower remains in the words: “Love grows here.”On the kitty arrives, the plants will return
SCHEFFER living room. ere really is no other I’m not familiar with the plant rim, with hearts separating them, to the kitchen and the tower will
place to move it. It is very heavy on the next level - it has long, dark are the names of the kids. once again become the cat tower.
Several weeks ago, I shared and no other room can accommo- green leaves and a white ower that
with you my sadness and date the height and width. stands tall. e pot that holds it ese plants were formerly in the A living fair exchange, don’t you
broken heart as I wrote about has special meaning for me. Given kitchen; now they are the “green”on think?
guiding my rescue cat, Gus, over One evening last week as I
the Rainbow Bridge. settled in to watch TV, I gazed at We Carry A Complete Line of
the tower. What could I do with it? BioGuard Pool Treatments
ere had been a time when It was a given that I would adopt See Our Dolphin
I wondered if I’d made the right another kitty and the tower would Robotic Vacuums!
decision in adopting Gus. After all, again be a wonderful gift to a new
he was an indoor/outdoor kitty and pet.
was now con ned in a home. He
was a “jumper,”and the higher the e answer came to me like a
better. I was astounded to see him shot! e tower is in front of the
leap up on top of the at-screen sliding glass doors to the deck and
TV and sit on that narrow edge. Of that spot gets lots of sun during
course, he sat on the buttons and the day. What a great place for
my DirecTV went haywire. I had my plants! I’ve kept house plants
to reset it with the remote! to a minimum because my dearly
departed kitties, Bonnie and Clyde,
However, once he got his 5’2” would eat the leaves. But now I
kitty tower (sent by my son, Matt), could safely display my plants until
all this jumping and racing stopped. the arrival of the new fur baby.
He would sit for hours on the top
level and look out the sliding doors, On the top tower level (Gus’
then curl up and take a nap. favorite spot) I placed Mom’s philo-
dendron. As near as I can gure,
I miss Gus and having a liv- it is at least 40 years old. Bonnie
ing, breathing furry creature in had just about destroyed it, but by
my home. I have decided to adopt cutting it back and giving it some
tender loving care, it was “born”
again and is thick and lush.

e next level down proudly
holds my Christmas cactus. Can

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Page 16 – The Somers Record OPINION Thursday, April 29, 2021

Quali ed

READING, remember receiving a phone call A bene t to this editorial as- Why didn’t Anthony didn’t get writing job until Je was blind-
WRITING & a few days later from the editor sistant position was that I started this job? sided and replaced by a woman
CHOCOLATE o ering me the job. I distinctly writing feature articles for anoth- who, in my opinion, was not
remember that at the end of the er nonpro t group that published I noticed that most of the quali ed for the editor position.
KIM telephone conversation, my new a monthly “magazine.” I actually resumes had one or two check I was shocked at the workplace
KOVACH boss told me the salary which conducted interviews with inter- marks in the top right corner. politics and left soon after.
was more money than other en- esting people and did research. I My resume had three check
Last week, I wrote about try level writing jobs I had been proudly received a byline and bio marks. When Je returned from As I continued to build my
my rst full-time job applying for. “A week?” I asked, blurb at the end of each article. his meeting down the hall, I writing career, I worked in nu-
after graduating college. I astonished. asked him about the resumes in merous part-time jobs to supple-
was eager to work and begin my e nonpro t magazine paid me the le folder. “Anthony and a ment my income. I was a resume
writing career. However, that was “Yes, each and every week,” he in “copies,” which was a common couple of the other applicants writer, demonstration chef, adult
not the job for me. laughed. practice, especially for younger had one or two check marks at education baking instructor, spe-
writers. Why was it OK for jour- the top,” I said. “How come my cialty dessert caterer, babysitter,
at may have been my rst My boss, Je , was about ve nalists to work for free? resume had three check marks?” book store story lady, pre-school
actual 9 to 5 job, but my rst years older than me and a regular teacher, substitute teacher, camp
real writing job came next. One nice guy from Long Island. We One afternoon while Je was Je looked at me and said, counselor, freelance writer, ghost
of the many New York Times got along great from the start. Je in a meeting, I was ling some “ at was my way of keeping writer, and reading tutor. ese
Want Ads that I answered was was in charge of putting together news clippings in the le cabi- track. One check mark meant varied experiences helped me to
for an editorial assistant at a the monthly newsletter and gave nets in his o ce. I came upon that the candidate had the right earn extra income but even more
small non-pro t organization. I me the opportunity to write a le folder marked resumes. quali cations for the editorial valuable, I gained lots of “mate-
don’t remember much about the news briefs. I learned how to Inside were several resumes of assistant job. Two check marks rial” for my writing!
interview. Apparently, I made a edit important information into people who had applied for the meant that they actually showed
good impression because I do bite-sized paragraphs with catchy editorial assistant job, including up for the interview. Your resume Kim Kovach keeps on writing!
headlines. I really felt like my mine. I saw a resume with the got three check marks because www.kimkovachwrites.com
writing skills were being put to name of a guy from my Creative you were cute!”
good use and I was learning a lot. Writing class in Queens College.
I enjoyed that rst full-time

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Thursday, April 29, 2021 HEALTH &WELLNESS The Somers Record – Page 25

Advances in radiation therapy offer more effective cancer treatment

Since its inception at the start of symptoms. Radiation therapy works by better target the radiation to protect Q: Where do you think radiation
the 20th century, radiation therapy therapy is going in the future?
has been recognized as an essential damaging cells; normal cells are able to healthy cells, improve e ectiveness
element of an e ective cancer care pro- A: Each day, research is nding better,
gram and has become one of the most repair themselves, whereas cancer cells and decrease complications. Radiation more e ective ways to treat cancer such
common forms of treatment for many as the use of IMRT therapy that uses
types of cancer. Approximately 50 per- cannot. therapy is an extremely potent en- high-edged software and sophisticated
cent of cancer patients receive it either hardware to vary the intensity and shape
alone or in combination with other hancer of the body’s immune response of radiation, as well as IGRT, which
treatments with remarkable results. uses imaging with the therapy to im-
Q: How is it di erent from other toward killing cancer cells. When used prove precision and treatment accuracy.
Radiation oncologists from NewY- One of the most advanced treatments is
ork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hos- forms of cancer treatment? in tandem with other therapies like the stereotactic body radiation therapy
pital’s cancer center, Lawrence Koutch- program for men with prostate cancer,
er, M.D., and Leah Katz, M.D., MPH, A: Radiation therapy comple- immunotherapy, which also enhances which allows patients to complete their
both published experts and researchers course of radiation in only ve treat-
on this subject, discuss this type of ther- ments the other major forms of cancer the immune response, these new com- ments as opposed to ve to nine weeks.
apy and how it has raised the bar for
more successful patient outcomes. therapy such as chemotherapy and sur- binations of therapies can dramatically NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley
Hospital’s cancer center is fully accredited
Dr. Koutcher is the Regional Director gery. It is similar to surgery, since both shrink some cancers in a way that older with Commendation by the Commission
of clinical operations at NewYork-Pres- on Cancer. Board-certi ed Columbia
byterian Hudson Valley and Lawrence target the tumor, but radiation therapy therapies were unable to do. surgeons, medical oncologists, and radiation
Hospitals, and an assistant professor of oncologists – along with oncology nurses
radiation oncology at Columbia Uni- does not require an incision, opera- and patient navigators – care for patients
versity Irving Medical Center. Dr. Katz with most types of cancer, including
is an assistant professor of radiation tion or anesthesia. It’s also similar to Q: What are the newest programs brain, head and neck, breast, lung,
oncology at NewYork-Presbyterian/ gastrointestinal, gynecologic, prostate, and
Columbia University Medical Center drug therapy in that it usually requires and types of radiation therapy? blood cancers. In addition to cancer surgery,
and a radiation oncologist at NewYork- a comforting onside infusion center, and
Presbyterian Hudson Valley. multiple sessions as an outpatient to A: Di erent types of radiation precision radiation therapy, the hospital
o ers genetic counseling, nutritional
Q: What is radiation therapy? obtain a desired dose. e di erence is therapy work in di erent ways to treat guidance, and survivorship services.For
A: Radiation therapy, or radio- more information on cancer treatment, visit
therapy, is the use of various forms that radiation therapy does not travel various types of cancer. e most com- nyp.org/hudsonvalley/cancer. To make an
of radiant waves of energy to safely appointment, please call 914-293-8400.
and e ectively treat cancer and other throughout the body. mon form of therapy, LINAC (linear
diseases. It can be used to cure cancer,
control its growth or relieve painful accelerator) based radiation therapy,

Q: When is radiation therapy used? is used to treat the majority of cancer

A: Most times, it is given with a patients. is works by customizing

curative intent in order to eliminate high energy x-rays to conform to a

the tumor and prevent recurrence tumor’s shape and destroy cancer cells

postoperatively, but sometimes it is also while sparing surrounding normal

given palliatively to reduce the su er- tissue. Other types of therapy include

ing caused by the cancer symptoms. stereotactic body radiation therapy for

inoperable lung cancer, stereotactic

Q: What are some of the latest radiosurgery for brain metastases, and

advances in radiation therapy? Radium-223 (Xo go) injections for

A: Recent advances in technology select patients with metastatic prostate

have made the dosage and delivery cancer. In recent years, many patients

of radiation to treat localized cancers undergoing radiation therapy are hav-

much more precise. New techniques ing a hydrogel spacer inserted to push

enable doctors to provide treatment in the rectum further away from the pros-
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Page 26 – The Somers Record Thursday, April 29, 2021

BUDGET geted for $4 million in “Foun- number of a district’s low-in- lessness, dealing with disabilities, many children can be accom-
dation Aid”; in 2021-2022, it come students. at’s determined or living in foster care. modated; what their ages will
FROM PAGE 4 anticipates getting $5.7 million. by how many are enrolled in its be; and whether it will be held
Including BOCES, transporta- free and reduced-price lunch It can be used to purchase on site or o . Right now, it looks
legally obligated to make the dis- tion, and other aid categories, a program.) hardware and software needed like the program will be run by
trict whole should those savings total of $11,658,064 is expected to conduct remote and hybrid a community-based or nonpro t
fail to materialize. from the state in 2021-2022 -- an Schools are required to pri- learning; promote mental health agency and held at Primrose El-
increase of $2,113,385 over the oritize spending on so-called services; support after-school ementary School.
STATE AID current $9,544,679. “non-recurring expenses” - things programs; buy PPE and disin-
Because the district will get that support the safe return to in- fecting supplies; and to repair DATES TO REMEMBER
COVID RELIEF DOLLARS person schooling. Once plans are ventilation systems to improve e budget vote and trustee
more regular state aid than antic- Somers has been allocated approved by the state Education air quality and reduce the spread
ipated, it will be able to reduce its Department, districts must use of COVID-19. elections are set for 7 a.m. to
reliance on reserves. e biggest $675,017 in federal stimulus the money within three years. 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 18 in the
boost was seen on the “Founda- funds, based on its child counts PRE K SURPRISE Somers Middle School gymna-
tion Aid” line. under Title 1 of the federal Every e aid can be applied to any Schools Superintendent Dr. sium, 250 Route 202.
Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). activity allowed under federal
e district hasn’t gotten the education law, such as addressing Raymond Blanch said Tues- Only district residents who are
amount it should have for about a Platania explained that the learning loss especially among day that he was excited to learn registered voters can cast ballots.
decade, Platania said, so the state money is “almost like a grant”and disadvantaged students, includ- that the district’s also getting If you’re not sure if you’re regis-
is going to “look to bring us up to not part of the general fund. ing those living in poverty, learn- $237,600 in “universal pre-kin- tered, call District Clerk Nancy
where we should be.” ing English, experiencing home- dergarten” support. Corrado at (914) 277-2403.
(Title 1 funds are based on the Anyone uncomfortable voting in
In 2020-2021, the district bud- It rst has to gure out person can request an absentee
whether the Pre-K program ballot.
Mom Deserves the Best! will be full- or half-day; how

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Thursday, April 29, 2021 The Somers Record – Page 27

County celebrates
Earth Day with opening

of Compost and
Education Center

Westchester County residents now food rescue is not possible, County resi- PHOTO COURTESY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY
have a location to learn how to best di- dents now have options to divert food
vert food scraps from the waste stream scraps from the waste stream.” County Executive George Latimer leads the CompostEd ribbon cutting.
as County Executive George Latimer
o cially cut the ribbon on the County’s At CompostEd, Department of En- of the scraps as garbage. Now, Compos- day, County government is looking for
new Compost & Education Center in vironmental Facilities (DEF) sta will
Valhalla. operate a small-scale aerated static tEd will demonstrate to municipalities ways to increase our sustainable opera-
pile compost system. DEF is planning
e facility delivers on a promise from to partner with local municipal farm- how to operate their own compost yard, tion capabilities while encouraging resi-
January 2020 when Latimer announced er’s markets to collect food scraps for
the release of Westchester County’s composting. e City of White Plains and educate our residents on how they dents to do the same on their own. is
Food Waste Study and outlined the farmer’s market has already agreed to
County’s plan to address food waste participate. CompostEd will also act as a can compost at home.” ribbon cutting is a culmination of a lot
and food scrap recycling. One of the key demonstration site for local municipali-
components of the plan, the construc- ties on the composting process, and o er DEF Commissioner Vincent Kopicki of hard work and I am so proud to cel-
tion and operation of a County Com- educational programs for residents, mu-
post and Education Center, has come to nicipal o cials, and students. Residen- said: “Food scrap composting may seem ebrate Earth Day at this site.”
fruition. tial programming will include classes on
backyard composting. overwhelming, but it is a small step to Deputy Commissioner of Environ-
County Executive Latimer stated: “As
we celebrate Earth Day with the opening Latimer continued: “Last year, we improve our environment. Tours of our mental Facilities Louis Vetrone added:
of the CompostEd facility, we continue launched the Residential Food Scrap
to ful ll our commitment to divert food Transportation and Disposal program Material Recycling Facility in Yonkers “CompostEd will allow us to provide
waste from the County’s waste stream. to provide our municipalities the oppor-
tunity to host voluntary food recycling have become a very popular eld trip for in-person composting education classes
e rst and best option is always to programs for the same cost as disposing
get excess food to those in need. When young students. We look forward to wel- with hands-on demonstrations. It will

coming older students and adults alike also serve as a model for municipalities

to CompostED to learn about compost- #1and private entities, demonstrating the
ing and the bene ts of better soil.”
bene ts of onsite composting. DEF is
County Director of Energy and Sus- thrilled to be able to o er these services
tainability Peter McCartt said: “Each to the Westchester community.”

#1PROUD TO BE THE SPRING IS HERE! NOW IS THE TIME TO SELL IN THIS
AGENT IN AMAZING SELLERS MARKET!
SOMERS
HERITAGE HILLS Here's what's happening in Somers: We are receiving multiple offers on
most properties and are selling well over list price.
DONNA O’CONNELL
Please contact me to find out the value of your home or condo.
Source: OKMLS 1/1/20-12/31/20, total dollar volume of single family
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donnaoconnell.houlihanlawrence.com

SOMERS BROKERAGE VILLAGE SQUARE, SOMERS, NY

Page 28 – The Somers Record Thursday, April 29, 2021

BOE was a principal research scientist Rabbah has a doctoral de- cators - about how the district is tional consultant. She also be-
FROM PAGE 9
at IBM for 11 years. Before that, gree in computer science from faring, and how it could improve. longs to the Somers Community

he taught at the Massachusetts George Tech. He said he likes the district’s Council and is a SHS PTSA ex-

struggled with ADHD, he said Institute of Technology (MIT). When running for the board “whole child” approach, but be- ecutive board member.

he knows how important it is He has also been part of last year, Rabbah talked about lieves it could be “more tactical She is involved with youth

to support students with similar the  Somers  Educational Equity the necessity of focusing on in how we prepare our students programs at Katonah Presbyte-

challenges and to educate Advisory Team (SEEAT) and STEAM (Science Technology for the future.” rian Church and is a leader with

teachers and parents about the has worked with Kevin Guidot- Engineering Arts Math) “readi- the Hudson Valley Chapter of

“di erent ways” children learn. ti, the district’s director of learn- ness.” HEIDI CAMBARERI the PKD Foundation (polycys-

ing on technical issues. Rabbah keeps a close eye on Cambareri, the school board’s tic kidney disease research) since

DR. RODRIC RABBAH He and his wife have two chil- Somers’s academic rankings and current vice president, is com- 2004.

Rabbah, co-founder and CTO dren in the  Somers  school sys- says he frequently confabs with pleting her rst three-year term. A career educator, Cambareri

of Nimbella, a tech company, tem. other parents - who are also edu- A Somers resident for 20 was on the guiding committee

years, she and her husband have of the district’s Reentry Coali-

two children. tion and has participated on its

Cambareri is the board’s liai- Transportation Task Force.

son to the Westchester Putnam Cambareri has said that

School Boards Association, sits school districts face “very real

on the  board’s Policy Com- challenges” relating to nances,

mittee, and is a member of the safety and security, and federal

SCSD Educational Equity and state mandates on standards

Advisory Team (SEEAT) and and assessments.

the Somers High School PTA. As a parent and a teacher -

She also sits on the district’s and as a board member - she

Reentry Coalition Guiding said she has advocated for the

Committee and has participate “educational needs of our stu-

in its Transportation Safety Task dents.”

Force. Cambareri’s goals have in-

Cambareri is an advocate for cluded using her knowledge and

public education, focusing on experience - and ability to work

state and federal funding issues. collaboratively - to help the dis-

She has also been a special trict continue to be a place where

education teacher, reading tutor, “all students thrive.”

preschool teacher, and educa-

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When you advertise with The Somers Record, you are reaching
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about this insurance solicitation. This specific offer is not available in CO; call 1-800-969-4781 or respond for
similar offer. Certificate C250A (ID: C250E; PA: C250Q); Insurance Policy P150 (GA: P150GA; NY: P150NY; OK: P150OK;
TN: P150TN); Rider kinds B438/B439 (GA: B439B).
6255

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