Yorktown News 01.05.2023

Vol. 11 No. 42 Visit TapIntoYorktown.net for the latest news. Thursday, January 5, 2023

Overdose memorial proposed for Yorktown

BY SOPHIA CASELNOVA Slater said. “I applaud Karen for overdose awareness memorial. memorial will be a nice place Haughwout told Yorktown
STAFF WRITER taking such a painful tragedy Walden, NY” where people can to go and can hopefully help News. “We are a community
and turning it into something learn more about people’s recov- people struggling. She also men- that’s stands united and the im-
A memorial that would raise that will have a profound impact ery journeys and the memorial. tioned the possibility of having pact it will make to so many is
awareness for drug overdoses is on others.” brochures for alumni in recovery a gift.”
being discussed for Yorktown. Renda wants to use the model readily available for people who
e memorial is inspired by of the memorial in Walden. stop by. “ e rise of drug overdoses
Karen Renda, a resident who one Walden Village in Orange Councilman Sergio Esposito has signi cantly increased,” add-
lost her son to a fentanyl over- County, New York, which was said that he will donate the Parks and Recreation Com- ed Haughwout. “It’s time to stop
dose in May 2021, came before created in May 2021 by Jody fence. missioner Matt Talbert suggest- shaming and support loved ones
the Town Board on Dec. 13 to Nicoli, a recovered addict. e ed that the memorial be placed and their families by standing
propose a memorial to draw at- Walden Village memorial fea- “Any awareness that we can by Patriot Skate Park and Pa- tall and having such a beauti-
tention to drug overdoses. tures a 5-feet-tall by 12-feet- bring to drug overdose is para- triot Park as it is a heavily traf- ful symbol to memorialize these
long chain link fence where peo- mount in this community,” said beautiful humans and this pain-
“ e Overdose Memorial ple attach locks or send them to Deputy Town Supervisor Tom cked area that will bring a lot ful event will continue to unite
will be an important reminder a P.O. Box to have them put on. Diana. “Our youth are our future of attention to the memorial. us throughout the country.”
for our community and visitors and without them, we don’t have
about the tragic realities of ad- e memorial has a pub- anything.” “I am proud to take part in e memorial will be a con-
diction,” Town Supervisor Matt lic Facebook Group, “Drug the Drug Overdose Memo- tinued discussion.
Renda said that she thinks the rial,” Councilwoman Luciana

News

break!
Spectators at Decem-
ber’s basketball show- PHOTO: ROBBIE GUSSAK
down between Lakeland
and Yorktown took a
timeout to catch up on
some local news. e
Hornets would ultimate-
ly rally to top the Huskers
in a wild contest, 66-63.

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BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 27

CLASSIFIEDS 26

LEGAL NOTICES 25

LEISURE 24

OPINION 8
SPORTS
20 SWISH!

TOWN GREEN 2 Basketball Score Board

pg 20

Page 2 – Yorktown News TOWN GREEN Thursday, January 5, 2023

The Staff Friends of a continental breakfast, then the successfully in their homes and other relevant information such

EDITORIAL TEAM Yorktown Parks Polar Bear Plunge at 10 a.m. communities. as referrals.
TOM WALOGORSKY and Recreation
EDITOR: 914-302-5830 To learn more about this wacky Senior’s vital signs – speci - Held at the Yorktown Com-
[email protected]
WHIT ANDERSON winter event, visit; https://www. cally their pulse, weight, oxygen munity and Cultural Center

SPORTS EDITOR facebook.com/FriendsofYork- blood level and blood pressure located at 1974 Commerce St.,
[email protected]
2ND ANNUAL POLAR townParksandRec/ for all of the – are measured using computers Yorktown.
VIM WILKINSON
SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR BEAR PLUNGE chilly details. and other equipment. at data Yorktown’s Arts +
[email protected] is then transmitted to telehealth
Saturday, Jan. 7, Telehealth
ADVERTISING TEAM from 9 to 11 a.m. nurses who review it remotely.  Culture Committee
PAUL FORHAN If the tests show cause for im-
Get your bathing suits ready for Intervention
(914) 806-3951 the 2nd Annual Polar Bear Plunge Programs for mediate concern, the nurse will
[email protected] at Sparkle Lake! e event will
contact the seniors, their care- ARTS + CULTURE GROUP
BRUCE HELLER
(914) 486-7608 bene t the Friends of Yorktown Seniors (TIPS) givers or primary care physicians SEEKS NEW MEMBERS
[email protected] Parks and Recreation general fund,
directly. e town seeks three new
LISA KAIN
(201) 317-1139 and enable the establishment of Mondays, 9 to 11:30 a.m. Each senior leaves the session members as it expands its ranks
[email protected]
CORINNE STANTON various subcommittees to target TIPS has been in the forefront of with a “TIPS Sheet,” a compre- to better serve everyone in the
(914) 760-7009
[email protected] those parks and recreation activi- the national telehealth movement. hensive assessment that includes community. e committee

JAY GUSSAK ties that have a high impact on the Westchester County continues their results of their vital sign reports to the town supervisor
(914) 299-4541
[email protected] health and wellness of residents. to lead the way in developing best tests, an explanation of what and Town Board, as well as
PAM Zacotinsky
845-661-0748 Festivities will begin at 9 a.m. with practices that help seniors age the results mean, and, if needed, to the Yorktown Chamber of
[email protected]
Commerce.
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Thursday, January 5, 2023 Yorktown News – Page 3

Officials offer tips for coyote safety 

Area residents attacked by rabid animal 

BY CAROL REIF carried straight down, and its legs January through March is This doesn’t mean coywolves fight back. Little pooches are

STAFF WRITER are long. mating season. Pups are born don’t exist at all. more vulnerable.

Comparatively, house cats gen- from March to April and reared Visitors to the WCC will learn A “provoked” attack is when

Are coyotes getting too close erally tip the scales at between from May to August. Born blind, about the critically endangered coyote bites a human that’s feed-

for comfort? eight to 10 pounds; the average deaf, and unable to regulate body red wolf, of which it has 10 in its ing it, approaching its pups, or

The question is a timely one in Labrador Retriever weighs be- temperature, they stick like glue recovery program. intervening in a pet attack.

light of the fact that two residents tween 55 to 80 pounds, and the to mom for the first four to six A small pod of red wolves has Some folks report being un-

of nearby  North Salem recently gray wolf between 70 to 145 if weeks of life. Once they have been reintroduced in North Car- nerved by being “escorted” or fol-

had a scary encounter with one male and between 60 to 100 if teeth and can eat solid food, they olina. Hybridization is happen- lowed. That just means they got

of the North American canines. female. start taking little jaunts outside ing there, which can be “a major too close to something the coy-

One of the women was bitten the den. challenge to the recovery of the ote’s protecting, like a den.

-- and her walking companion COYOTE CUISINE “If you’re seeing them at that species,” Goin said. It’s like the critter saying:

nearly was -- by what was prob- While classified as carnivores, point, they often are pretty much “Move along. Nothing to see

ably a rabid coyote. It fled after coyotes have a more omnivorous about to leave the area,” Goin KEYS TO COEXISTENCE here.”

the attack and was never found. diet. Their favorite chow consists said. The big one?

Infected mammals usually die of mice, rats, squirrels, and rab- October to December is “dis- Don’t feed coyotes, intention- HAZING RITUALS

within a week to 10 days of be- bits, but they’ll munch on fruits persal” season. Young adults go ally or unintentionally. Causing To scare coyotes away, reinforce

coming sick. and veggies and won’t turn up out to search for a mate. Coy- animals to congregate where they their natural wariness of people.

Coyotes are not strictly noctur- their noses at human garbage. otes are territorial and don’t normally wouldn’t spreads dis- They start to unlearn that if all

nal, so if one is spotted during the They do scavenge for venison take kindly to trespassers, so it’s ease, increases conflicts, and de- their interactions with people are

day, it doesn’t necessarily mean but don’t take deer down unless a vulnerable time for these ado- creases their survivability. positive – ie. they’re getting food.

that there’s something wrong. they’re wounded or weak. They lescent lonely hearts. That’s why Clean up garbage, bird seed, Even being neutral ain’t good.

They are most active at dawn or eat fawns. they stick closer to areas where and fallen fruit. These at- If you’re just standing there

dusk. Cats are on the menu too, so humans live. tract  birds, squirrels, and other looking at a coyote and nothing

However, it is a wild creature Goin advises keeping them in- coyote prey species. Don’t leave happens, they’re probably going

and normally gives folks a wide doors “where there are no coy- MYTH-CONCEPTIONS pet food outside. Remove water to think you’re not that scary.

berth. Beware if it seems to have otes.” The coywolf. Some folks still sources. Secure compost piles. Make loud noises and BIG

no fear of humans. Other signs of insist that coyotes here are 50 Don’t leave pets outside unsu- motions.  Varied hazing’s the

rabies include appearing disori- COYOTE CONVERSATION percent wolf.  pervised. Enclosed yards create most effective: yell, clap, stamp

ented or excessively wobbly. They mark their territory, or No gray wolf populations have a false sense of security. Coyotes your feet, blow whistles, use

Because they are explorers, op- advertise their mating status, by been confirmed in New York, al- can jump 6-foot fences or dig un- pocket-sized air horns.

portunists, and can cope, if not leaving a scent. though one or two outliers have derneath. Killing coyotes doesn’t work.

thrive, in almost any environment They communicate through been reported upstate. It actually causes population

– including cities -- coyotes can body language much like other Once wolves roamed most of CLOSE ENCOUNTERS growth. If one or both members

be found in every state in Ameri- canines. This includes holding North America, but they were “Sighting” means a coyote has of the breeding pair are killed, it

ca, except Hawaii. their ears and tail in certain ways, brought to the brink of extinction been seen or heard.  disrupts the entire pack. The fe-

Coyotes may look doglike, making eye contact, and baring by government-backed hunt- “It’s just a reminder that coy- male might mate with another

sometimes display doglike be- their teeth. ing programs in the 19th  and otes are always around and we male and they’ll have a larger lit-

haviors, and even have a bit of Vocalizing is their most fa- 20th centuries. should be aware of that,” Goin ter.

dog DNA in them, but they are mous form of communication. That ecological void prompted said. Relocating them is not only

definitely not the domesticated Those eerie howls, yips, and coyotes to expand their range An “encounter” happens when illegal but inhumane. Once in

type and should be respected barks are just their way to touch eastward. Some of those pioneers a coyote follows or approaches a unfamiliar territory, the animal

for the wild creatures they are, base with far-away pack mem- may have bred with straggling person with or without pets. faces conflicts with resident coy-

according to Dana Goin of the bers. wolf survivors, Goin said, add- Not to worry if the coyote en- otes and usually dies trying to get

Wolf Conservation Center in When coyotes hunt, it’s usually ing that this isn’t happening any ters your yard if no one’s present; back home.

South Salem. individually or “maybe as a pair” longer. it’s probably just passing through.

The Ruth Keeler Memorial because their prey is so small. However, the eastern version But if you’re, say, barbecuing with ECO-STEWARDS

Library last week hosted Goin’s “If they hunted as a group, has retained some wolf DNA. a bunch of folks and Wile E. Coyotes help clean up the en-

“Coexisting With Coyotes,” a there’s not going to be a whole That’s why it’s the largest coyote pops up “that shows a little bit vironment by scavenging. They

live webinar jam-packed with lot to share. They’re also likely subspecies. more boldness.” encourage biodiversity by con-

scientific information and myth- to scare their prey away because A Stony Brook University Types of “conflict” differ as trolling mesopredators – foxes,

busting revelations. they’re going to be making more study found that the 400 animals well. skunks, raccoons -- that can

It aimed to demystify coyotes noise,” Goin explained. sampled were genetically 64 to 81 It’s tragic when coyotes injure decimate nesting bird numbers.

and clear up common miscon- One common misconception percent coyote, and an “admix- or kill pets or stray animals, but Their free rodent control limits

ceptions. is that coyotes howl when mak- ture” of gray wolf (13 percent), not unnatural. the spread of Lyme disease.

“We don’t want people to be ing a kill. eastern wolf (3 percent), and dog “Coyotes are not walking

fearful about being outdoors,” “Usually, when they’re howling (10 percent). around with wildlife identifica- BEST APPROACH

Goin explained. it’s them reuniting with family. Scientists see no evidence of tion books in their pockets. They The best thing to do if you like

So what you’re hearing is a par- behavior change or pack activity. just see a prey-sized animal and coyotes?  Keep their fear of hu-

SOME BASICS ty. Everyone’s just yelling ‘Hey, “The reality is, it would be, they are just trying to survive,” mans intact.

The adult eastern coyote is four it’s great to see you!,’ things like in terms of the ecosystem, very Goin explained. The best thing you can do if

to five feet from snout to tail and that,” she said. helpful if coyotes were taking It’s not common, but a coyote you don’t like coyotes? Keep their

weighs between 20 to 45 pounds. down larger animals such as might also attack an attended pet. fear of humans intact.

Its coat can be tawny brown, with A YEAR IN THE LIFE white-tail deer, because in the Again, that’s a predatory reac- “We want them to remain

some black or grey fur. Its ears are The time of year factors into absence of wolves there’s now a tion. Big dogs aren’t good prey; wild” Goin said.

large and pointy, its tail fluffy and coyote sightings. major imbalance,” she said. they have sharp teeth and will

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Page 4 – Yorktown News Thursday, January 5, 2023

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Page 6 – Yorktown News Thursday, January 5, 2023

Mother-daughter-duo compete in tourism pageant

BY SOPHIA CASELNOVA Princess, 2023 (Cover of a maga- In representing New York, Isa- Isabella and Nicole Sibiski PHOTO COURTESY OF NICOLE SIBISKI
STAFF WRITER zine worthy) bella chose a taxicab and gave a
speech about them. She told Yor- this initiative. Foundation for Suicide Preven-
A Yorktown mother-daugh- In Nicole’s main title, she was ktown News that she found rep- Isabella also gives away books tion (AFSP) for three years. She
ter-duo represented the State of named World’s Mrs. Tourism, resenting New York City in this is also a volunteer with NAMI
New York in July in a Tennessee 2023 in the Mrs. group ages 21 to way to be the most fun event of to give people more access to lit- Westchester. Prior to her plat-
based pageant. 49. She was also named World’s the pageant. erature and donates food to re- form being about mental health,
Miss Tourism Kindness Award it was also about literacy.
Nicole Sibiski, and her daugh- for congeniality and World’s Nicole represented more of the ghters in town.
ter Isabella, brought home a Miss Tourism Spokes Model for rural beauty of New York and “No random act of kindness “Before I leave this world,
combined 13 awards from the her state costume and on-stage drew inspiration for her costume is ever too small when the result I want to change the stigma
World’s Miss Tourism pageant speech. from the Eternal Flame Falls in produces everlasting positive around mental health,” said Ni-
in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. e Orchard Park, New York. memories along with encour- cole.
pageant took place from July 21- In Grand Optimals, Nicole agement, hope, and love,” said
24. won: In Isabella’s interview at the Isabella. Nicole told Yorktown News
pageant, she discussed the im- In her mission to raise aware- that the duo’s goal is to walk at
e World’s Miss Tourism • Miss Tourism Fashion Mod- portance of literacy, kindness, and ness for mental health and the Paris Fashion Week now
pageant has eight di erent age el Royal Highness, 2023 (O the work to prevent suicide, Nicole that the world has reopened af-
groups ranging from 5-years-old Rack Runway) ghting bullying. Her platform is has worked with the American ter the Covid-19 pandemic.
to over 50-years-old and is split anti-bullying and literacy. Nicole
into four di erent divisions: Jr. • Miss Tourism Broadway spoke about self-care, self-love,
Division (ages 5-11), Teen Divi- Royal Highness, 2023 (Actress) and suicide awareness. Her plat-
sion (ages 12-18), Miss Division form is mental health, suicide
(ages 19 and up) and Ultimate • Miss Tourism Catalog-Mod- awareness, and suicide preven-
Grand Supreme. el Royal Highness, 2023 (Wor- tion.
thy of a catalog or advertisement)
In her main title, Isabella was Isabella has been doing volun-
named World’s Miss Tourism Jr. • Miss Tourism Cover-Model teer work since 2019. She works
Princess, 2023 in the Junior Miss Royal Highness, 2023 (Cover of closely with the Make-A-Wish
group ages 8 to 9. a magazine worthy) Foundation’s Macy’s Believe
initiative where hand made let-
In Grand Optimals, Isabella • Miss Tourism Supermodel ters to Santa are submitted and
brought home the following: Royal Highness, 2023 (Super- Macy’s donates funds in return.
model - Vogue Fashion Runway) Isabella’s work with this proj-
• Miss Tourism Fashion Mod- ect began in their living room
el Princess, 2023 (O the Rack • Miss Tourism Grand Su- and now takes place throughout
Runway) preme Royal Highness 2023 town.

• Miss Tourism Broadway For the costumes portion of To date, Isabella has been able
Princess, 2023 (Actress) the pageant, contestants were re- to raise over $14,000 through
quired to nd something of their
• Miss Tourism Cover-Model state and make it into an appeal-
ing costume to “sell tourism,” ac-
cording to Nicole.

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Page 8 – Yorktown News Thursday, January 5, 2023

Happily
Ever After

DEI versus academic freedom

A critique of critical race theory in our schools

PUBLISHER’S sanctuary from the Episcopal person did not actually intend IMAGE FROM AMAZON.COM during the summer of 2020, the
MEMO church. to be hateful towards me. I truly pastor at a local church created
chalk it up to the immaturity of This book was used in an English a small group called “Chesed,”
BRETT By the late 80s, of course, the him being a 13- or 14-year-old lesson at Somers High School. which means “love between
FREEMAN kind of discrimination seen in kid who lacked a certain degree people” in Hebrew.
the 1950s was ancient history of impulse control and common LOCAL CHURCH MEETS TO
Igrew up in a community in due to strict housing laws plus sense – and decency – in his DISCUSS RACE e purpose of Chesed was to
New Jersey that would have more forward-thinking views evaluation of humor. And to be have a candid conversation about
been o limits to my family that had advanced over the clear, there was nothing funny During the height of the race among a group of people
back in the 1950s. decades. about it. Black Lives Matter protests who were united in their love for
one another due to a shared love
Our development, called Nevertheless, my presence If someone drew a swas- for God.
Smoke Rise, which is a lake as a Jew was somewhat of a tika today, the police would be
community in the town of novelty. When I graduated from called, an investigation would During one session, a partici-
Kinnelon, did not sell homes to eighth grade in 1993, my friends be launched and it would have pant spoke about the pain of be-
Jews, Catholics and Blacks dur- drew such profane doodles in been all the chatter on the local ing repeatedly stopped by police,
ing that time period. When we my middle school yearbook parents’ Facebook groups. Of questioning his whereabouts just
moved into Smoke Rise in the that when I became an adult, course, the school superin- blocks away from his home. As a
late 1980s, we were among the I discarded it, as I would have tendent would email out the white person, I couldn’t fathom
been too embarrassed to show obligatory letter to parents experiencing such bias, and my
rst Jewish families to live there. the pages to my children. declaring that such behavior heart breaks for my friend.
We were such a minority in the wouldn’t be tolerated.
town that I was the rst bar In addition to the sexually But one other statement made
mitzvah at the new local Jewish suggestive doodles, one of my While some of our reactions in the “Chesed” group really
congregation, which rented its friends drew a swastika. to certain incidents today might stuck with me. at person
be overkill, our heightened said he came of age in the
Given my friendship with sensitivity has prompted mean- 1970s, when he remembered
the kid and the fact that I asked ingful conversations.
him to sign my yearbook, I’m SEE FREEMAN PAGE 9
absolutely certain that this

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

necessarily be published. Letters and op-eds which cannot be verified or
are anonymous will not be published. Please send your submissions to
the editor by e-mail at [email protected].
For more information, call the editor at (914) 302-5830

Thursday, January 5, 2023 OPINION Yorktown News – Page 9

FREEMAN may actually prevent that debate in support of the district’s DEI Brewster, NY and Bethel, CT
from happening. initiatives at a school board Showrooms
FROM PAGE 8 meeting on Nov. 15.
On your job everyday
a progressive anti-racism TV DEI DISCUSSED AT SCHOOL If that is what DEI is all until completion...
commercial where a kid learned BOARD MEETING about, then bravo! We should
that he was being racist for see- applaud public awareness cam- GUARANTEED!
ing the color of a friend. So, he Certainly some of the ways paigns to educate students in a 845 278 0070
found it jarring that today, it’s in which schools have taught manner that help them under-
the opposite. Today, if you don’t lessons of inclusivity have been stand and be more sensitive to www.southeastkitchenandbath.com
see color, then you are failing quite positive. is includes the the diversity of the world and
to identify the person’s “lived” results of a public awareness people around them.
experience, and thus you are campaign conducted years ago
perpetuating racism. by the mother of Somers High But I remain skeptical of
School senior Sasha Soraci, whether this is truly the goal of
So, I think it’s worth ponder- who was born with Williams DEI initiatives.
ing: is it more progressive to be Syndrome. Williams Syndrome
color blind or more progressive is a genetic condition present at CRITICAL THEORY LOGIC IS
to acknowledge color? While it’s birth, including cardiovascular CIRCULAR
my personal inclination to side disease, developmental delays,
in favor of being color-blind, as learning challenges and unique Before I explain, I would like
advocated by Dr. Martin Luther physical characteristics, accord- to share my own academic bona
King Jr., I can understand how ing to the Williams Syndrome
the correct approach can be up Association. des, which is relevant to my
for debate. understanding of DEI. Before
“With the support of my launching my journalism career,
I just worry that Diversity, Eq- teachers and the district, these I earned my master’s degree
uity and Inclusion (DEI) initia- conversations made a huge from the University of Chicago
tives, particularly in our schools, impact,” said Soraci, who spoke Master of Arts Program in
the Social Sciences (MAPSS),
The logic is totally a rigorous interdisciplinary
circular and it’s academic program combining
impossible to challenge. anthropology, economics, history,
political science, psychology and
sociology. University of Chicago
is globally renowned for its social
science departments.

While I’m appreciative of
everything I learned during my
master’s program, I ultimately
abandoned academia in

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Page 10 – Yorktown News OPINION Thursday, January 5, 2023

FREEMAN that. Critical race theory is not something How do you resolve a situation
that is “taught”in Grades K-12. It is not a when equal outcomes and equal
FROM PAGE 9 history lesson. Rather, it is something that
is implemented throughout the district, opportunities might conflict
favor of journalism, which is the opposite. and DEI seems to be the conduit. It’s a with each other?
Whereas academia aims to take a topic and conclusion that the entire school district
purposely make it more complicated by is systemically su ering from racism and manner that respects academic and political In the lm, Keating inspired his students
deconstructing it, journalism aims to take sexism and every other type of “ism”and freedom and fosters critical thinking in our to “seize the day”and discover their in-
complicated topics and make it easy for anything less than “equitable”outcomes is students. ner “barbaric yawp.”Keating didn’t draw
everyone to understand. evidence of this. conclusions for his students. Rather, he
‘WHITE FRAGILITY’ LESSON VS. encouraged his students to discover their
During the MAPSS program, I read It’s not just limited to our schools. It’s CRITICAL THINKING true selves through poetry.
more political theory and philosophy than being implemented throughout federal,
anyone should ever be subjected to in life, state and local governments and in corpo- I have incredible sympathy for Somers Meanwhile, Ferrier taught “Me and
and this included the “critical” theorists rate America. High School English teacher Allison Ferri- White Supremacy”by Layla Saad, which
such as Herbert Marcuse and Max Hork- er, who was recently reinstated to her posi- contained a journaling exercise that asks
heimer. e problem with the “critical” Of course, battling racism and sexism tion in the classroom after she was initially students to answer questions such as “How
theorists is that they believe the whole are admirable goals, but it’s both false, removed while district leaders conducted has and/or does your white fragility show
system is so tainted and broken that any academically lazy and may breed continued a review of her lesson about white fragility. up?”and “How have you weaponized your
attempt to work within it and reform it is discrimination to suggest that unequal Judging by the outpouring of support she fragility against BIPOC [black, indigenous
simply a perpetuation of the system. Any outcomes are always, 100% of the time, a received from the community, I’m certain and people of color] through, for example,
attempt to critique the critical theorists is product of discrimination. e case before she is an e ective and caring teacher. calling the authorities, crying, claiming
proof that the person doing the critiquing the U.S. Supreme Court,“Students for you’re being harmed (‘reverse racism!’,‘I’m
is a product of that broken system. e Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows But I also have great sympathy for the being shamed!’,‘I’m being attacked!’)?”
logic is totally circular and it’s impossible of Harvard College”is a perfect example administrators who conducted the review
to challenge. If you can’t see how things of the pursuit of equal outcomes actually in this case and ultimately nixed the lesson. e lesson is no di erent than the classic
are tainted, the theory goes, it’s because it’s perpetuating discrimination. e case was example taught in journalism classes of how
“systemic”and you’ve been tainted too. brought by several Asian students who e actions of the Somers administrators to NOT conduct an interview. A journal-
were denied admission to Harvard even were a far cry from the plot of the 1989 ist would show extreme bias if he or she
Critical theory, an extension of Marx- though they performed better academi- Academy Award nominated lm “Dead went up to a local politician and asked
ism and focused on economic class, is the cally than a number of Black students who Poet’s Society.”In “Dead Poet’s Society,”the him, “When did you stop beating your
foundation of “critical race theory.” gained entrance to the school. In Harvard’s antagonist, Mr. Nolan (played by Normann
pursuit of equal outcomes, the plainti s Lloyd), red the beloved English teacher, SEE FREEMAN PAGE 11
‘EQUITY ’ VS. ‘EQUALITY ’ argue, the university discriminated against John Keating (played by Robin Williams).
Over the past couple of years, critics have one minority group by favoring another
minority group.
been concerned that critical race theory is
being taught to students in Grades K-12. Of course, in our schools (and other
Meanwhile, critics of the critics have argued institutions), we SHOULD battle racism
that it’s all one big history lesson and we and sexism and any other form of dis-
shouldn’t bury past injustices in American crimination. But the bigger question is how
society. we go about battling discrimination in a

e reality is far more complicated than

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Thursday, January 5, 2023 OPINION Yorktown News – Page 11

FREEMAN science, where an objective solution exists, co-authored. their names to be published? at doesn’t
FROM PAGE 10 sound like an open conversation to me.
it’s absolutely antithetical to the mission “Today, too many ‘remedies’– such as
Based on my conversations with these
of education to force students to adopt Critical Race eory, the increasingly teachers and several parents over this past
year-plus, I ask these school districts and
wife?” It supposes a conclusion without the teacher’s conclusion. Some of my best fashionable post-Marxist/post-modernist other government bodies the following
questions:
investigating whether the premise of the college professors were people who vehe- approach that analyzes society as insti-
• Do your DEI initiatives remain an open
question is even accurate, and the same goes mently disagreed with my conclusions, but tutional group power structures rather conversation where everyone feels free to
contribute their ideas before conclusions are
for the journaling exercise accompanying rewarded me with an A for presenting well- than on a spiritual or one-to-one human reached?

Saad’s book. thought out and cogent arguments. level – are taking us in the wrong direction: • Is the goal equal outcomes or equal
opportunities? And how do you resolve a
e “lesson”taught at Somers High However, the lesson taught at Somers separating even elementary school children situation when equal outcomes and equal
opportunities might con ict with each
School was anti-intellectual and stripped High School turned academia on its head into explicit racial groups, and emphasizing other, as it does in the case against Harvard
at the U.S. Supreme Court?
students of free expression. English students by forcing students to adopt someone else’s di erences instead of similarities,”Walker
• How do your DEI initiatives identify
ought to be learning how to formulate conclusion, and if they argued against the co-wrote with Steve Klinsky, who wrote discrimination? Are all unequal outcomes a
product of discrimination, or are you open
written arguments by developing a thesis, author, it was somehow further evidence about the essay in his article,“ e Civil to analyzing other external factors?

presenting evidence and drawing conclu- that the author is right. Rights Legend Who Opposed Critical • Do your DEI initiatives foster academic
freedom and critical thinking or do they
sions. Race eory.” e account was also written inhibit them?

It’s one thing if a teacher wanted to share CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER OPPOSES about by Constitutional legal scholar Mark • Do your DEI initiatives help or harm
gifted and talented students or impact the
his or her worldview with their students. CRITICAL RACETHEORY Levin in his New York Times best-selling existence of accelerated and honors classes?

Some parents may have a problem with A person can be opposed to racism and 2021 book,“American Marxism.” • Do your DEI initiatives help or harm
special education students or ignore their
that, but preventing that teacher from doing sexism and still believe that that kind of Of course, when it comes to Ferrier’s needs in favor of another category?

so may be an impossible standard to uphold indoctrination has no place in a classroom. lesson, I have no clue what she presented to • Do your DEI initiatives treat everyone
with respect, including those people who
and also violates that teacher’s academic Dr. King’s own chief of sta and con- the students beyond Saad’s related journal- may be skeptical of the whole approach?

freedom. dant, Dr. Wyatt Tee Walker, rejected ing exercise, the very premise of which is topic is not going away and this
newspaper will not shy away from ap-
But unless it’s a subject such as math or critical race theory in a 2015 essay that he prevented students from disagreeing with proaching it in a fair and honest way.

the author. e teacher declined to speak Brett Freeman can be reached at freeman@
halstonmedia.com.
to our reporter when we rst wrote about

it. So, if I’m mistaken in any way, I urge the

A person can be opposed to racism teacher to reach out to us and I’d be happy
to correct anything I’ve gotten wrong.

and sexism and still believe that SEVERAL QUESTIONS FOR OUR
SCHOOL DISTRICTS

All of this brings us back to DEI. Just

that kind of indoctrination has no T:9.5l"ike the journaling exercise accompanying
Saad’s book, DEI initiatives are presented as
an open, friendly conversation in the school
place in a classroom. community.
But why have several teachers contacted

me over this past year, sharing their con-

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Page 12 – Yorktown News OPINION Thursday, January 5, 2023

LIBRARY HOURS LibLriabrrayryCCoorrnneerr PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN C. HART
Headhunter.’“ Visit https://thebcw. Career Coaching Services at 914- TUESDAY, JAN. 10 LIBRARY
231-3238 or wlscareercoachingser- (A) Medicare Counseling. 10
• Monday- ursday, 9:30 a.m.-8 org/headless-horseman-campaign- [email protected]. Adult Services Librarian II
a.m.-1 p.m. Maureen reading “Cinder” by
p.m. leaps-to-libraries/. It highlights Hart Library also o ers career (A) Chair Yoga with Lisa. 1 p.m. Marissa Meyer.
planning road map reference tools (A/Y) One-on-One Teen Tech
• Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. local organizations and job oppor- for those who are looking for career (Y) Hindi Language Conversa-
changes, new jobs, or are return- Help. 2:30-4:30 p.m. No appoint- tion Club for middle and high
• Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. tunities available in the county. ing to the workforce. Stop by the ment needed. school students. 5-6 p.m.
library and chat with one of our
• Sunday, noon-4 p.m. A new web portal, www.west- reference librarians for job- and (A) Scrabble, Backgammon & (A) Hindi Language Club. 6-7
career-related resources available in Adult Coloring (drop-in). 2:30- p.m.
914-245-5262, jchart@wlsmail. chesterwantsyou.com, has been the library. 4:30 p.m.
DID YOU READ...?
org, yorktownlibrary.org. set up for would-be applicants to PROGRAMS WEDNESDAY, JAN. 11 “Cinder”by Marissa Meyer
Programming key: (A) Adults; (C) Stories and Rhymes with
create pro les and upload resumes (Y) Young Adults; (C) Children. (ISBN: 9780312641894, 2012).
Please visit the library website Ms.Terry. Ages 3-4. 10 a.m. Maureen, Adult Services Librarian
DID YOU KNOW...? with job interests that will send job (yorktownlibrary.org) calendar for (A) It’s a Mystery to Me Book II, o ers,“It’s the start of the ‘Lunar
details and to register online! Chronicles’series. e author takes
e Business Council of alerts to registered participants. Club. 10-11 a.m. some of the well-known fairy tale
FRIDAY, JAN. 6 (A) Canasta (drop-in). 12:30- heroines and sets their stories in
Westchester has launched a job is campaign encompasses the (A) Not Your Mother’s Book space! Cinder is Cinderella, of
2:30 p.m. course. She’s half-cyborg, so instead
search campaign,“ e Headless resources through the WLS Career Club. 10 a.m.“ e Bodyguard”by (C) World Language Club. of wearing a glass slipper to the
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Horseman, Westchester’s ‘Ultimate Coaching Services and FirstFind. Grades K-2. 4 p.m.
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the Hart Library this past month: week seminar (A) Mah Jongg (drop-in). 10 THURSDAY, JAN. 12
“Suspects” by Danielle Steel starting Jan. (A) Quilting & Needlework
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“The 6:20 Man” by David Baldacci Your Career
in Changing up. 5:30 p.m.
“The House Across the Lake” by Riley Sager (A) Up All Night Book Club.
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6:30-8 p.m.“Good Me Bad Me”by
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Thursday, January 5, 2023 Yorktown News – Page 13

Page 14 Yorktown News – Thur

Scholars a

Yorktown News is proud to highlight e 97 Bald Eagles join 1,709 from across
the following students from through- the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
(PSAC) and a record-breaking 16,639 stu-
out our area who received academic dent-athletes from 169 institutions in 2021-
honors last year! 22. e 1,709 student-athletes honored
from the PSAC was the highest from any
DEAN’S LIST conference for the fourth consecutive year.
William August Embury -
In order to qualify for the award, a stu-
Marist College dent-athlete must have a cumulative grade
Abby Passarella - Ohio State point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale,
have attended a minimum of two years (four
University semesters) of college-level work, and have
Dana Valentine - Westchester been an active member of an intercollegiate
team during his/her last academic year.
Community College
YORKTOWN STUDENTS EARN
PRESIDENT’S LIST ACADEMIC HONORS
Hailey Soliz - SUNY Cortland AT THE HARVEY SCHOOL

STAFFU RECEIVES e Harvey School in Katonah an-
D2 ACADEMIC nounced the names of Yorktown residents
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD who earned academic honors for the fall
Last fall, the Division 2 Athletics term.
Directors Association (D2 ADA)
Alexa Williams, grade 11 made the head’s
announced the 2021-22 list as a Cavalier Scholar with a GPA of 4.0
recipients of the Aca- or above. Karen Dey, grade 6, Ryan Dey,
demic Achievement grade 9, and Helena Klein, grade 6 have
Awards,and Al- made the head’s list with GPAs of 3.7 or
exa Sta u, higher. Eli Birch, grade 12, Lee Birch, grade
of Shrub 8, Marcus Diaz, grade 12, Henry Gilbert,
Oak, and grade 6, and Spencer Hanson, grade 10,
member of have earned places on the honor roll with
the Women’s GPAs of at least 3.3.
Lacrosse Team
was one of Harvey is an independent college-pre-
97 Lock Ha- paratory school for students in grades six
ven Bald Eagles through 12.
honored with
the award.

Alexa Williams

PHOTOS COURTESY OF
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Page 16 – Yorktown News OPINION Thursday, January 5, 2023

At the intersection of neuroscience and the law

MY at Fordham University School of (2) Advancing legal scholarship of subjects over two decades bad news). Lawyers like you are
PERSPECTIVE Law. Dr. Denno has graciously and the use of neuroscience in to predict (with biological and the biggest boost the criminal jus-
consented to this interview: legal circles; sociological variables) who tice system has to move forward.
JAMES would be netted by the crimi-
MARTORANO Q: You are the Arthur A. (3) Providing relevant scien- nal justice system. I continued Q: One of the objectives
McGivney Professor of Law at ti c information to academics, that approach when I arrived you espouse is to help push the
Not a day goes by when Fordham University School of lawyers, and the public; at Fordham by deciphering criminal justice system to adopt
we don’t read about the Law and the founding director the origins and development a more personalized or subjec-
mental health crisis that of the Neuroscience and the (4) Creating, analyzing, and of the criminal law doctrines tive approach which would be far
is gripping our cities and the Law Center. Can you explain publishing analyses of a unique of insanity and consciousness more e ective, e cient and fair.
entire country, as well. As a Legal to our readers what exactly the database of every U.S. criminal (among a few) over time. In Can you explain? Do you see any
Aid lawyer in the Bronx for 45 center is about? case that has addressed neurosci- 2015, I founded the law school’s movement in that direction?
years, I experienced rsthand enti c evidence over the past 12 Neuroscience and Law Center,
the criminal justice system’s in- Dr. Denno: Advances in neu- decades (1900-2022). rough among the rst centers in the Dr. Denno: e last 30 years
ability and often unwillingness roscience have prompted the legal innovative programs and collab- country to integrate neurosci- have seen a surge of research in
to recognize, let alone deal with, profession to question long-held oration with academic partners, ence and law, while also starting neuroscience,“the branch of life
the mental health struggles of notions about criminal culpability, the Neuroscience and Law Cen- my research on two decades of sciences that studies the brain
so many of my clients. However, free will, thought, behavior, and ter aims to be a premier resource criminal cases addressing neuro- and nervous systems.”Innova-
one person who has advocated pain. Fordham’s Neuroscience and of evidence-based information science. ose two decades grew tions such as Magnetic Resonance
for decades that courts consider Law Center explores how these about the increasing prevalence to 12, culminating in a fruitful Imaging (MRI) have enabled
the neurological issues of the advances a ect the legal system in of neuroscience in 21st century learning process that advances researchers to examine living
defendants before them is Dr. multiple ways by: courtrooms. research beyond what has ever brains—the most personal-
Deborah Denno, professor of law existed. ized and intimate “of all human
(1) Promoting a multidisci- Q: I have always been fascinat- experiences”—in a way that no
plinary, evidence-based approach ed in the intersection of biology, Q: In my own career, I esti- previous technology allowed.
to examining the current and neuroscience and the criminal mate roughly to have handled
potential uses of neuroscienti c justice system. I know early in between 15,000 and 20,000 is neuroscienti c research has
evidence; your career you were a law clerk criminal cases. Literally thou- the potential to revise society’s
for Judge Anthony Scirica.Was sands involved clients with concept of human nature and
Rooney Orthodontics that the point when your inter- mental health challenges.Yet, the how the law can handle danger-
Children & Adults est in neuroscience and the law criminal justice system has been ous criminal behavior. Such a
began? woefully slow in either acknowl- newly constructed perspective
edging the problem or in provid- is important to criminal law be-
Dr. Denno: Much of my ing any remedies.What has been cause key concepts of culpability
career has focused on interdis- your experience? depend on assessing the internal
ciplinary analyses of crime and workings of individuals’ minds.
criminal law, and frequently Dr. Denno: Unfortunately, my
through the lens of decades data support your experiences as ere are a number of arguments
across people’s lives. My pub- a practitioner. I see a legal system for incorporating a more person-
lished Ph.D. dissertation, trying to expand its understanding alized approach in criminal law.
“Biology and Violence: From of defendants with mental health Let me name just three. First,
Birth to Adulthood” (Cam- challenges (that’s the good news), a criminal justice system that is
bridge Press, 1990), examined but simply not yet possessing the more personalized or subjective
path models of a vast database tools or education to do so (the would likely be more e ective,

SEE MARTORANO PAGE 18

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Page 18 – Yorktown News OPINION Thursday, January 5, 2023

MARTORANO tion of a defendant’s mental state, the defendant is pleading not Dr. Denno: at study of essential because it a ects how
not the modern neuroscienti c guilty by reason of insanity. 800-plus cases has now grown punishment deters criminal acts.
FROM PAGE 16 understanding. While both the However, as I understand it, to over 9,000 cases! As for gen-
psychoanalytic and neuroscienti c you suggest that it should be eral ndings: e legal system erefore the new neuroscience
e cient, and fair.Typically the approaches emphasize personal- utilized routinely to give the has always wanted to get inside directly impacts the justi cation
legal system does not re ect ization, I argue that neuroscience trier of fact and even the sen- people’s heads in one way or an- for the length of the sentences
people’s particular characteristics, better re ects both individual and tencing judge a more nuanced other. is inquiry started with meted out to criminals. is link
traits, and circumstances. In other group criminal behavior. ird, view of the defendant’s mental religious investigations, and is particularly signi cant for the
words, most law is impersonal. Yet the greater in ux of personaliza- culpability. Can you elaborate? with growing scienti c sophis- United States where criminal
in 1962, the American Law Insti- tion using neuroscience combats tication, the studies moved to sanctions are much harsher than
tute’s Model Penal Code (MPC) the simplistic and exaggerated Dr. Denno: My study of psychiatry and psychoanalysis. in the rest of the developed
advocated a more subjective perception that the criminal justice every criminal case addressing Now the focus spotlights objec- world.
approach to criminal law, given system handles defendants in a neuroscienti c evidence from tive, multidisciplinary, evidence-
criminal law’s focus on defendants’ dichotomous, all-or-nothing man- 1900 to 2022 has shown a huge based research. As for going Q: Would it be fair to say
mental states. e MPC also ner when neuroscienti c evidence variety of uses of neuroscienti c forward: First and foremost, the that every lawyer handling ex-
recognized that the rapid growth is introduced. Speci cally, this evidence, both at the guilt phase application of neuroscienti c tremely serious criminal cases
in the psychological sciences was in ux counters the notion that and at the sentencing phase. evidence in criminal cases is an should consider the utiliza-
revealing increasingly relevant in- the evidence will either be entirely essential aspect of protecting tion of MRIs and CT scans to
formation about how all individu- exculpatory or entirely condemna- ese uses range from the individual rights. e criminal measure their clients mental
als think and reason. e MPC tory for defendants. My research incorporation of neuroscience law emphasizes the mental de ciency, mental illness, and
considered these scienti c trends and that of others generally shows into the defenses of diminished state of the human mind in a brain abnormality?
important because they would that neuroscienti c evidence o ers capacity and incompetency to way that civil law does not, and
enable a more re ned and accu- fact nders additional information stand trial all the way to self- the stakes of a guilty verdict Dr. Denno: I would say in
rate conception of a defendant’s about defendants that is more defense as a way of assessing the are higher. Next, a substantial every case such an approach is
level of culpability and blame- precise, reliable, and granular than reasonableness of a defendant’s number of the defendants in deemed relevant.
worthiness, therefore establishing what criminal cases have previous- beliefs. However, the evidence this research are psychologically
fairer and more e ective means of ly provided by way of psychiatric is mainly applied as mitigation and neurologically impaired. Q: Can you share any nal
punishing, rehabilitating, or deter- testimony and that courts embrace in the context of death penalty thoughts with us?
ring such individuals. e im- neuroscienti c evidence for this cases or cases involving substan- ey should not be incarcer-
portance of psychological science purpose. Overall, the criminal tial incarceration, given the high ated, much less even at a slight Dr. Denno: I thank the
was especially emphasized in the justice system values personaliza- proportion of violent crimes risk for the death penalty, defense attorneys who have
context of criminal law defenses. tion despite the overreactive and and homicides that ood my because such punishments are the brilliance and bravery of
Second, neuroscience is a particu- dichotomous view that some database. not commensurate with their using neuroscienti c evidence
larly valuable form of personalized critics point to when weighing levels of culpability. Suppose when relevant in criminal cases.
evidence, especially when it is used neuroscienti c evidence. Q: I am familiar with your instead of retribution, the state’s
to evaluate a defendant’s level of study of 800-plus cases where justi cation for punishment is is approach is not simple or
mental culpability. Until the 1970s, Q: Most people envision any neuroscience was referenced. the instrumental goal of reha- easy, but it is probably one of
for example, substantial portions neuroscience approach to be Can you share with us its bilitation or prevention. In that the most e ective vehicles for
of criminal law doctrine re ected relevant only in cases where important ndings and the circumstance, a defendant’s criminal justice reform.
a Freudian psychoanalytic concep- impact it should have going actual level of culpability is
forward? ank you so much for your
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Page 20 – Yorktown News Thursday, January 5, 2023

VARSITY ROUNDUP

Whyte-Luciano
ignites LHS to win

Feeks leads Huskers to victory

BY MIKE SABINI most points or who has best stats,”

CONTRIBUTING WRITER Feeks said. “We all just want to win

and we have been doing a great job

All games were played Thursday, of that.”

Dec. 22. As a team, overcoming a stingy

Sailor defense was a big factor in the

LAKELAND BOYS Huskers’ victory.

BASKETBALL 7 1 “ e key to winning the game to-

Lakeland 59, Poughkeepsie 45 day was staying composed and mak-

Lakeland High School ing sure we ran all of our sets com-

Lakeland has come out this cam- pletely,” Feeks said. “Hen Hud is a

paign ying high, keeping the good very tough defensive team, so making

times rolling with a 59-45 victory sure we didn’t rush any shots was a

against defending Section 1 Class A major key tonight.”

champion Poughkeepsie.

“To beat the defending Section 1 YORKTOWN GIRLS

Class A champions was great for us,” BASKETBALL 2 2

said Lakeland’s Chris Whyte-Luciano. John Jay-EF 55, Yorktown 27

“We have been practicing and prepar- John Jay-East Fishkill High School

ing for teams like them all o season.” Yorktown fell to John Jay-East

Andrew Mendel Whyte-Luciano (28 points), Sean Fishkill 55-27, paced by Kaitlyn
Sean Perry
Perry (16 points), and Logan Shiland Judge (10 points), Lexi Livadhi (7

(15 points) did all the scoring for the points), Olivia Lucas (6 points), So a

Hornets. Boucher (2 points), and Liv DelGau-

“Logan, Sean, and I just had a hot dio (2 points).

hand tonight, and we just worked

together to get good shots,” Whyte- LAKELAND BOWLING

Luciano said. Both matches at Cortlandt Lanes.

Tied 25-25 at halftime, Lakeland

got control of the game with great BOYS 30 12

defensive play in the third quarter, Lakeland 7, Peekskill 0

outscoring Poughkeepsie 13-6 in the Lakeland defeated Peekskill 7-0,

frame. led by Mike Antonucci (254, 656),

“Coming out of halftime, Coach Lorenzo Battista (211, 537), Keaton

(Steve Fallo) was focused on de- Wolf (180, 469), Chris Gittelson

fense, so as a team, we went out and (127, 349), and Harrison Cohen (89,

just played really hard defense,” said 248).

Whyte-Luciano.

Shiland on GIRLS 0 35
defense
Chris Whyte-Luciano YORKTOWN BOYS Peekskill 7, Lakeland 0

BASKETBALL 5 2 Lakeland fell to Peekskill 7-0, with

Logan Shiland Yorktown 54, Hen Hud 42 high games from Kerry Pike (148),

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROBBIE GUSSAK Yorktown High School Jasmine Bashjawish (135), and Ash-

Yorktown continued its great start ley Rimm (102).

with a 54-42 victory against Hen-

drick Hudson, who entered the game YORKTOWN BOWLING

with a 5-1 record. Both matches at Cortlandt Lanes.

“Our team has gotten o to such a

good start because of how well we are BOYS 30 12

playing in transition and the chemis- Panas 5, Yorktown 2

try we were able to build in the o - Matthew Kirey (246, 658), Finn

season,” said Yorktown’s Billy Feeks. Larsen (222, 592), Joshua Placido

“We just hope we can continue our (193, 483), Kevin Kirey (165, 476),

good start throughout the season.” and Kyle Cavalieri (165, 447) paced

Feeks registered a team-high 18 the Huskers in their 5-2 loss to Wal-

points to go along with eight re- ter Panas.

bounds. Kaden Gonzalez (13 points) GIRLS (29-13)

and Justin Price (8 points, 10 re- Panas 4, Yorktown 3

bounds, 7 assists) also played key roles Yorktown fell to Panas 4-3, led by

in the Huskers’ victory. Kailey O’Connell (170, 437), Akshy-

“Me, Kaden, and Justin have been asree Ravi (130, 368), Alyssa Lassen

playing great, unsel sh basketball this (132, 343), Sophia Morello (114,

season and we don’t care who gets the 304), and Ciara O’Brien (115, 301).

Thursday, January 5, 2023 Yorktown News – Page 21

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NoDbulenhkoinno’ raenddwCithhViapnogtuleartdoAwYaorrdktown? POlZaZnYn'Sing Board provAiUdTeOs CuLpIdNaICte $onn39Uin.9gd5ehrh$it4ll0F!aOrFmF HYoarktnowunkwkelcaomhes DrugwCirJtihsoi AsiilnnliaOinnucergfBoarfcSokayrfaercKdeitdossp artner$20offVol.11No.37
Yorktown was Thursday, December 22, 2022
"IT AIN'T JUST TIRES" OIL CHANGEBSYTRAWASFcYoFOoWwbeoFWmcsertOPaothAkerhorcRpuHtesatdnehdIlotanmwTrNliceiIiswEYndptcheaAssofSRoyoacetinocrrtetobeocetloorrc’CNBirssuiSurdsn“klouoctoeiIdYTAbeltinoe.nnrBnnhtnAworidreeCviadSSnaeei.FnewhDadiehlLsmEFwccgOnhs,teemsno.ehto.WgiriLleUliePgndlonnbAevhnoNfatnRoaH.siaaeeuoPuEcrdtItreednrdOTeNsttoaomanaIoNE.soecSetunArltVRferiVisiibhlumaanoobcscguwyAsalClhiree1bdnehe,sPifnBin8lagtdAtapeeyogihhhn,Ce6Rh.tnr.DeSLlueadia0iatatonlEcaalYn.thneu0rfWpUbcerng’pLodtbsnepdhhedhB.arpNueorEeofydkNerheodes.raollsftiLOati.oltconoluniamuceoeceicmp.nwlen.pnwVthwYmUaoeteloikeheAlaaFaeofsnen.irbrserds.EmenronWtecdt“odkme,seudtott.W.edotroh,orenmt2oa”msiewoiOiesshadt0ewmhNntsnmabbisi1acricVpautieipn.oeueetholhd1euWerreiacsArnsrbeeowtdnasniPepsIhssaplaRncn.bei,tgeAoaoetorcatgecirsyoedossnuoyffeltmaatoeutri.fipncaatdgtnncnovrieehaBhprcdetedeciwedlbecmdd,crsdtreredi.i.eyweihcdttoaLtnDssaypiliyhus3Yteefaivng,etn.aeaesDish,teU,weogss,dr0tsospodeAtrhsfe.au6psiokieaEreioiaaesdyirtrwlon9unratnnulsea.BotNrnnrtkatft”awmtgndrmsehpooawfi.aeierq3laodLranhb,dorpeslaeentul7imbcais’rldosnl.rsandni,eeaUy3tseleomslkteiitumtres5hrcloT.eideptibVaE,rlenelaeaneaoeocoasfdaslb.nbnamdotoawwalevCncaillytdnnonaWeiciiongnasinsdoicertdtntnMunhciigpemeievDnao“eastomBrcsonaHhliirufashntpoosanculdofhYceteotiosnuooaetncahedniouyilnrrnt’eprnstwAktdneotrcisoDNdhht,dnbfkstilseeddcuSiwanyeteuetmsoeoiee,mtl’hgwvodeaepabiprmtpbdnuimenomrnssrrtaiildNaeraBdneteuitolpeiumrearsvydanutheemrtett.rttot,o-eNttLaatmdomiuaeprvscoenltbtpennw.,b.ohrototemehUneyctmeooheidavgnxan1thnieebtsl..twshpeipttytt,iE4estrsehtvihmr,chailunineta2m.i”efadiaam.eetnhaeaerstdg2nYtiiwreSdhnsmSgmeinneo,eSorashiD.aseiauezstutrtipsaaartwitrdhroelprakHisdohpMsdghteyadyedt.eterhlntaleecioeewtueraaahsoniaoLheaavwnnecnp“oyphcigldtoietso,,g.sndrhnfstpoyn”afeomoihibtailorNinhjhrditztbeeencpPgiieeseecCtsalwtdowttLethbho,LaLcilEtoeooiOewnEoaAcuGgOnadtCmIetSlnaBSrdhhAnPvSdUapIrjioeTLiIIaeuneaNttFoRtUts“fssehdnNInaIiEthIENeAtyOikYasOdDiNoaaiRrivodc.nbmNmSlTIeorsocaEliakIetboaymhCSawitzolmbaa(otAeEmsiaupllwnteeprScthpadegsclncleesinoosoapenopmtncnnrdrsPehdtdoecdesiDaisoetanftnerfronoi,iaogondmtnsanymrt,atwnatdiohdndnhtdoriiiidntteinamrosgwh,tkencwn”he.xuoett,tohtwshNrp)m,siserisehoteptredeihbsbeosnpie2clestz2enwse7se2o.p6ttinhivnf2aawPeto6et“1riiHf8inmdtWae“iEro6OtNglov5lhnTeoeemOho,ofarttoeCuhtyonhnOwhpteadhUieiRonsaR(riIcrsygaTiDkechwEtwda,henSeounoYIiftarffreno,drOre”kerdrokgF)nbE,mieRdnjFeaHtoOmlsi’GaoenSynB5aytandeEVEigonwgdaRE,Ohio.awTcsiDmTihg.lihNslinoBaUgtuO.apNghpoBtirgNroBphpLikohhmnEeooK1be1oegnLtma4l0ryImeeNs.nE”ne.Tpe’to.!irmPfaoAlt.lGthyEe2
glowing with
festive spirit as the
community welcomed
the holiday season SBTAYFCF WARRITOERL REIF

at the Electric Lights
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BY SOPHIA CASELNOVA e project has been in 118 are planned to be “senior
STAFF WRITER progress since 2020 and proposes friendly.”
the development of 148 housing
Decisions for Underhill Farm units, recreational amenities, e board took time to “set
are still in the works. and 11,000 square feet of retail the record” and update the public
space. e 148 units would on the steps being taken and the
At the Planning Board be made up of 52 townhouse work the board has been doing.
meeting on Nov. 14, the board units, 32 condominiums, and 64
addressed the concerns and status apartments. Of the 148 units, At this point, the board has not
of the Underhill Farm project. yet made a determination about
the impact statement, but they

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Page 22 – Yorktown News SPORTS Thursday, January 5, 2023
Cortlandt Rebel
goalie Nick Mele. Nick MeleATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

PHOTO COURTESY OF Rebel goalie looking to play in NAHL
OLIVIA MELE
BY MIKE SABINI WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE
The Yorktown-Somers combined Swim & Dive team. CONTRIBUTING WRITER PART ABOUT BEING ON THE
CORTLANDT ICE HOCKEY
Lakeland Senior goalie Nick TEAM?
Mele has been on the Cortlandt
Rebels ice hockey squad since My favorite thing about play-
his freshman year. ing for the Rebels is the compet-
itive nature of the program. We
He has stood out in his rst all have such a high desire to win
three games this season, making and all have the common goal of
81 saves, including the last con- being section champs.
test, where he saved 39 shots.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE
is winter, Mele looks to PREGAME RITUAL THAT
lead the Rebels to a section YOU SHARE WITH YOUR
championship, and then eyes TEAMMATES?
the NAHL (North American
Hockey League) next season. My favorite pregame ritual is
kicking around a soccer ball and
HOW OLD WERE YOU WHEN playing two-touch.
YOU STARTED PLAYING ICE
HOCKEY AND WHAT GOT DO YOU HAVE ANY GOALS
YOU STARTED? FOR YOUR FINAL SEASON
PLAYING FOR CORTLANDT?
I was four when I started
playing hockey. It was actually Personally, I hope to earn the
one of my current Rebels team- All-Section award. For my team,
mates, Frankie Kowal, who got I think we have a chance to win
me hooked.
SEE MELE PAGE 23

SWIM & DIVE

Wilkinson makes
States for Diving

Swimmers hold strong against Su ern

Somers senior Jay Wilkinson peting in the diving and the 100

from the combined Yorktown- butter y events. He nished in

The 200 Freestyle Relay Somers Boys Swim & Dive the top 10 among New York’s
team (from left): Sean
team scored 523.05 points at public-school divers.
Horlacher, Joseph Aoukar,
Jason Muroski, Jay Wilkinson. the dual meet against Su ern e NYSPHSAA State Div-

PHOTOS COURTESY OF YORKTOWN-SOMERS SWIM & DIVE on Dec. 21, qualifying him to ing Championship will be held

the NYSPHSAA State Cham- on Mar. 3 at Ithaca College this

pionships. Wilkinson scored 73 year, where divers from a total of

points more than the qualifying 11 New York swim and dive sec-

score of 450 points, and ranked tions will compete.

third on New York State’s Top

40 divers’ list (11-dive) in week YORKTOWN SOMERS VS.

ve of the season. SUFFERN

“My goal for this year is to Despite holding strong in

make top ve at States, and my a number of events, the York-

strategy is to work hard at im- town-Somers swimmers lost to

proving my weak areas,” said the the massive Su ern team with a

Tufts University commit, who nal score of 92-75.

will be diving for the Jumbos in e combined team placed

the fall. rst in a total of six events, with

Wilkinson performed a few some stellar performances from

high-di culty dives that scored the Huskers and Tuskers. Luke

well, giving him the needed Hopper, Jason Muroski, Wilkin-

points to qualify. e Forward son and Joseph Aoukar won the

1 1/2 Somersault with 2 Twists 200 Medley Relay with a huge

(2.6 degree of di culty) was lead, clocking 1:53.36, their fast-

one of his highest-scoring dives, est time for this event in the sea-

earning him 61 points. son so far.

Last year, Wilkinson repre- e team also won the 200

sented Section 1 as a double- SEE SWIM PAGE 23
event quali er at States, com-

Thursday, January 5, 2023 SPORTS Yorktown News – Page 23

MELE DO YOU PLAN TO CONTINUE WHAT IS THE GO TO FOR A YOUNG ATHLETE built will last a lifetime.
GROWING UP IN THE e team feels like a second
FROM PAGE 22 TO PLAY HOCKEY IN APP ON YOUR PHONE?

COLLEGE? My go-to app on my phone LAKELAND DISTRICT, WHAT family, and seeing the distance

a section championship. I do plan to play college hockey, is YouTube to watch game clips WOULD YOU TELL THEM my teammates will go to win

but rst I’m going to be playing and highlights. ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE OF night after night is truly amaz-

WHO HAS BEEN YOUR juniors, hopefully in the NAHL BEING PART OF THE ICE ing. is year, speci cally, we

BIGGEST ROLE MODEL next season. IF YOU COULD PICK HOCKEY TEAM AND WHY have a solid team, with a very

OVER THE YEARS AND ONE PLACE TO VISIT ON SHOULD THEY GO OUT FOR strong senior class.

WHAT HAVE YOU WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE VACATION THAT YOU HAVE THE TEAM? Every game we play is com-

LEARNED FROM THEM? MUSIC TO LISTEN TO NEVER BEEN TO, WHERE Being part of the ice-hockey petitive and I plan for a deep

My biggest role models over WARMING UP FOR A GAME? WOULD YOU GO? team has been such a great ex- section playo run.

the years have been my parents. My favorite music to listen One place I would visit is Dis- perience. e memories I have

ey have taught me that I can to for pregame warm-ups is a ney. made and the friendships I have

achieve anything I set my mind mix between rap like Lil Baby

to, as long as I put in the work and Polo G, and pop like Taylor

and the commitment. Swift.

TELL US ONE THING ABOUT IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE Your Family
YOURSELF THAT NOT A LOT SUPERPOWER, WHAT

OF PEOPLE KNOW. WOULD IT BE? Car Care Center!

One thing not a lot of people If I could have one superpower,

know about me is I started play- I would have the ability to y so I

ing football my freshman year could go anywhere I want.

and played my nal varsity season

this year. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE For over 20 years, Joe Ferone of Proper Service has been
FOOD TO EAT BEFORE A

WHO IS YOUR GAME? serving the community, creating relationships,
FAVORITE PROFESSIONAL My favorite pregame food is a and building a remarkable company with
ATHLETE AND PRO an amazing team of employees!
SPORTS TEAM? protein bar and a banana.

My favorite professional ath- BEST PLACE TO EAT IN

lete is Igor Shesterkin and my YORKTOWN? Find out why Joe Ferone of Proper Service needs to be

favorite professional sports team e best place to eat has to be YOUR Go-To Automotive Service Center!

is the New York Rangers. JV Bagels.

‘The team feels like
a second family, and
seeing the distance my
teammates will go to
win night after night is

truly amazing.’

Nick Mele LOCATIONS:
Cortlandt Rebels Senior Goalie Baldwin Place • 44 Route 118 • (845) 628-7900

SWIM Croton Falls • 1 Center St • (914) 769-3206
White Plains • 105 Fulton Street • (914) 428-7185
FROM PAGE 22

FILE PHOTO: VIM WILKINSON Frestyle Relay. Aoukar, Sean FORMERLY Joe Ferone
Horlacher, Muroski and OWNER
Wilkinson’s performance Wilkinson fought hard in this
against Suffern qualified him for event and managed to shake o Visit us at www.ProperService.com
NYSPHSAA State Championships the Su ern relay in a close bat-
in March. tle. Yorktown-Somers won the A Qualified Auto Repair
event, clocking 1:40.60. Su ern
was close behind with 1:40.96.

Muroski, a Huskers junior,
nished rst in both the 200 IM
and the 100 Breaststroke. An-
other Yorktown junior, Aoukar,
brought in some points by win-
ning the 100 Freestyle, clocking
54.24. Wilkinson held on to his
winning streak in the 100 But-
ter y despite a slight addition to
his best time.