VOL. 14 NO. 22 THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2023 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 23 CLASSIFIEDS 22 LEGAL NOTICES 20 LEISURE 18 MAHOPAC MUSINGS 2 OBITUARIES 4 OPINION 8 SPORTS 16 The fight to save Belden House pg 5 HISTORY UNDER THREAT Visit TapIntoMahopac.net for the latest news. BY BOB DUMAS EDITOR AT LARGE It was a scene worthy of a Hollywood film. And for one officer, a driver, and his dog, it had a happy ending. Now, state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) police officer Daniel Franz is being honored for saving a life at the risk of his own. On the night of April 7, 2022, Franz was on routine patrol along Route 301 near Gipsy Trail Road in the hamlet of Carmel when he noticed an SUV had gone off the road near the causeway and was precariously stuck over an embankment. Franz approached the vehicle and discovered a male driver and his dog inside. The officer was able to get the dog out and pass him up to another police officer who had just arrived. But getting the driver out proved to be more problematic. The driver’s foot was stuck under the gas pedal and would not immediately come free. DEC police officer Daniel Franz receives Carnegie Medal Honoring a hero SEE FRANZ PAGE 6 SellYour Home for TOP DOLLAR with Mahopac’s Real Estate Specialist Visit: MahopacRealEstate.com or Email: [email protected] Michael Trinchitella Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker FREE Home Evaluation Anytime — No Cost or Obligation Call 845.628.4189 MahopacHomeValues.com CLASSIC REALTY Mahopac under water Swan Cove PHOTO: ROBERT BUCKLEY Red Mills Park PHOTOS BY AMY MENASCHÉ Flash floods prompt state of emergency With more than 8 inches of rain reported in less than a day, Mahopac was one of the hardest hit parts of a deadly Hudson Valley deluge that forced road closures, mass transit delays, and costly damage. Read more on page 3.
The Staff EDITORIAL TEAM Emile Menasché Editor: 845-208-0774 [email protected] Bob Dumas Editor at Large [email protected] Whit Anderson Sports Editor [email protected] ADVERTISING TEAM Paul Forhan (914) 806-3951 [email protected] Bruce Heller (914) 486-7608 [email protected] Lisa Kain (201) 317-1139 [email protected] Corinne Stanton (914) 760-7009 [email protected] Jay Gussak (914) 299-4541 [email protected] Pam Zacotinsky 845-661-0748 [email protected] PRODUCTION TEAM Tabitha Pearson Marshall Creative Director/Photographer [email protected] Noah Elder Designer Bri Agosta Designer Haven Elder Designer EXECUTIVE TEAM Brett Freeman CEO & Publisher 845-208-8151 [email protected] Deadlines Mahopac News The deadline for advertisements and editorial submissions for Mahopac News is the Thursday before the next publication date. For more information, call Emile Menasché at 845-208-0774 or email [email protected]. Subscribe To request Mahopac News weekly delivery, call 845-208-8503 or email [email protected]. Subscriptions are complimentary for residents and businesses in the town. Out of town mail subscriptions are $150 per year for First Class Mail. Periodicals Postage Paid at Mahopac, NY and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Mahopac News at 824 Route 6, Suite 4 • Mahopac, NY 10541 PAGE 2 – MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2023 (ISSN 2330-1627) Published Weekly by Halston Media, LLC at 824 Route 6, Suite 4 • Mahopac, NY 10541 Main Office 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ©2023 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC Kids Fest United for the Troops’ second annual Kids Fest will take place on July 16 from noon to 4 p.m. The free Family Fun Day at Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park will feature food and drinks (including barbecue and an appearance by the Ice Cream Emergency Truck), along with signature events like the Splash Tower and Bubble Bus, face painting, balloon twisting, performances by The Hive dance studio, a radar batting cage, and martial arts demo—plus games, games, and more games. The event is free. Learn more at unitedforthetroops.org. Red Mills Art Exhibit The town’s Recreation and Parks Department will present the Red Mills Historic Park Art Exhibit at Red Mills Park, 23 Hill St., Mahopac. The opening reception will be Saturday, July 22, 2-6 p.m. The exhibit will run until Oct. 30. The exhibit is free and open to the public every day from dusk till dawn. The exhibit is made possible in part by the Putnam Arts Council’s Art Link Grant Program and public funds from Putnam County. For more info, call the Recreation and Parks Department at 845-628- 7888. History Hunt The Carmel Historical Society’s 2023 History Hunt began July 1 and runs until Aug. 13. This scavenger hunt directs participants to locate various historical sites in Carmel and either take a photo (including selfies) or answer a question. for a list of items, email TOCHistoryHunt@ gmail.com; it will also be available at the July 4 concert at Red Mills Historic Park. Those who successfully complete the hunt will have a chance to win $100 at a drawing on Sunday, August 20. Fireman’s Carnival The Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department’s annual parade and carnival continues this week on July 13, 14, and 15. As always, there will be rides, games, and food, along with a raffle to help benefit the department. For more, visit MVFD on Facebook or at mahopacvfd.com. Book Barn Special Offer Buy 10 or more books at the Book Barn and receive one free book (excluding collectibles) or one free Book Barn tote bag. Hours are Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Thursday, 4 to 6:45 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Book Barn will be closed for Independence Day on Tuesday, July 4. Blood Drive The New York Blood Center will be conducting a blood drive in memory of Eugene L “Budd” Hammer III at the Mahopac Golf Club, 601 North Lake Blvd., on July 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Slots are available for whole blood and double red cell donations. To sign up for this or other local blood drives, visit donate.nybc.org/donor/schedules/zip and enter your zip code or search by town. Farmers Market The Carmel Farmers Market at Lake Mahopac will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday through Oct. 22 at the Chamber Park at the intersection of Route 6 and Route 6N in downtown Mahopac. Food, crafts, live music, and more. Female Flag Football Summer female flag football registration is open for women and youth. Games will take place on the Somers High School turf field on Tuesday (youth) and Thursday (adults) evenings. Those interested can learn more by visiting clubs.bluesombrero.com/gridiron, emailing grid ironpartners@gmail. com, or calling Gridiron Partners at 917-848-7780. MAHOPAC MUSINGS 914.455.2158 SpirelliElectric.com • [email protected] Specializing in residential & commercial services. Licenses in Westchester, Putnam CREATING CUSTOMERS FOR LIFE Family Owned—Over 40 Years Experience! 10% OFF Service Calls When You Present this Ad First Time Customers Only Light up your summer • Outdoor Lighting • Smart Home Setup • Electric Car Chargers • GENERATORS AND ALL OF YOUR ELECTRIC NEEDS!
THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2023 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 3 BY EMILE MENASCHÉ EDITOR Heavy rain last weekend brought flash flooding that damaged homes, businesses, roads, and public areas in Mahopac. According to the National Weather Service, Mahopac had the highest rainfall east of the Hudson River at 8.13 inches. Carmel Hamlet received more than 4 inches of rain as well. Supervisor Michael Cazzari said the town was still assessing the cost to repair roads and was working with state officials to declare a state of emergency, while County Executive Kevin Byrne declared a state of emergency for Putnam. On Monday, more than a dozen roads were closed or partially closed, including Lake Shore Drive and Birch Road, Stillwater Road at the bridge, Lake Baldwin Drive at the clubhouse, Spring Drive and Kennard Road, Route 6N and Hill Street, Route 6N and Potter Road, with the latter also closed at the bridge. “Numerous homes were also damaged,” Cazzari said. “The rain also affected a pipe repair project in Secor and made some existing sinkholes much bigger.” Red Mills Park, the site of a July 4 celebration less than a week earlier, was inundated with water, while the Swan Cove parking lot looked like a bay in Lake Mahopac. In a press release declaring the state of emergency, Byrne said the county was already seeking help from state and federal government officials and that the declaration allows for a coordinated and efficient response to the situation by mobilizing resources and activating emergency management protocols. Putnam’s Bureau of Emergency Services, Department of Public Work (DPW) and other county departments will work with local municipalities on recovery efforts, Byrne said. “Our primary concern is the safety and well-being of our residents and we’re happy to report that as of now, there has been no loss of life reported in Putnam County as a result of this storm,” Byrne said. “By declaring a state of emergency we are able to streamline our response efforts and access additional resources more quickly to expedite recovery. We are committed to working collaboratively with our partners at all levels to restore critical infrastructure and assist affected communities during this challenging time.” Officials on Monday said to use caution if roads remained closed, and while the waters will likely have receded by publication time, flooding and sinkholes can still be hazardous and road closures may persist. The county said it will continue to update residents of road closures via various online platforms including social media and New York Alert. The county executive’s statement also encouraged local governments and residents “to keep careful records of all stormrelated expenses incurred should they become eligible for disaster relief funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).” Flash flood forces closures State of emergency declared after roads and homes damaged Red Mills Park was overwhelmed by flood waters. PHOTOS BY AMY MENASCHÉ Red Mills Park at the intersection of 6N and Hill Street Flooding at Red Mills intersection of 6N and Hill Street PHOTO COURTESY OF ROBERT BUCKLEY PHOTO COURTESY OF ROBERT BUCKLEY Flooding at Chamber Park/Swan Cove On Monday, Mahopac News received some dramatic images from the flood from both official and unofficial circles. Do you have a photo to share? Mahopac News and ServPro are teaming up to find the most dramatic pictures from the flood, and ServPro is offering a $50 gift certificate from Arturo’s Tavern for the best shot. To enter, send a high resolution photo to [email protected], with “Flood” in the subject line and a brief description of where and when you took it. The best photos will run on tapintomahopac. net with the top prize winner, selected by ServPro, featured in next week’s paper. Flood photo contest ServPro offers $50 Arturo’s gift certificate to winner Restoration: • Fire, Smoke & Soot • Water Removal & Dehumidifi cation • Mold Mitigation & Remediation • Catastrophic Storm Response • Move Outs & Contents Restoration • Electronics & Equipment • Document Drying • Contents Claim Inventory Service Cleaning: • Air Ducts • Biohazard, Crime Scene & Vandalism • Carpet & Upholstery • Ceilings, Walls & Hard Floors • Deodorization Like it never even happened.® Restoration: S ERVing Putnam County Stephanie Bellofatto Director of Commercial & Residential Accounts [email protected] Lisa Ann & Scott Smith Owners 845-228-1090 97 Old Rte 6, Carmel NY 10512 www.servproofnwsedutchesscounty.com www.servproputnamcounty.com Ask Us About Our FREE COMMERCIAL EMERGENCY READY PROFILE!
PAGE 4 – MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2023 OBITUARY James Maxwell James M. Maxwell, 87, of Mahopac, passed away on Saturday, July 8, 2023, with his loving family by his side. He was born in Flushing, Queens, on Nov. 14, 1935, the son of William A. and Elizabeth (Volz) Maxwell. James served in the U.S. Army and later in the Coast Guard. He was a retired police officer with the NYPD serving in Queens in the 23rd, 83rd, and 107th precincts and the Third Division vice squad. James was the chairman of the Putnam County Conservative Party for over 28 years, a former president (eight years), and a member of the Mahopac Hills Association, the Lake Mahopac Park District, Lake Mahopac Rotary Club, and the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick in the County of Putnam. James was an avid New York Yankees fan and enjoyed boatBY MAUREEN DALY CONTRIBUTING WRITER Mahopac’s VFW 5491 Auxiliary held a poppy drive at the Carmel Town Hall on Tuesday, June 27, during the primary election. All the money raised will go to the Auxiliary’s programs, which include financial assistance for active-duty and recently discharged military personnel, scholarship programs, VA hospital donations, assistance for homeless veterans, and the VFW National Home, all of which help to fulfill the VFW’s pledge to “honor the dead by helping the living.” A remembrance poppy is an artificial flower worn in some countries to commemorate military personnel who died in battle. Remembrance poppies are produced by veterans’ associations, such as the VFW, which exchanges them for charitable donations. Inspired by the poem “In Flanders Fields,” poppies were first used near the end of World War I to commemorate British and U.S. military casualties. This year, VFW 5491’s Auxiliary had a great many volunteers on hand to conduct the drive, and they were joined by special guest Gene Shaw, the Auxiliary’s District 2 president. “It was gratifying to see the turnout of volunteers for this worthy event, and a special treat to have Gene Shaw come out and support the effort,” said Rachel Delduco, VFW 5491 Auxiliary president. VFW holds poppy drive fundraiser PHOTO COURTESY OF CRAIG KEITEL From left, Auxiliary volunteers Diane and Michael Wade, Rick Blaum, special guest VFW Auxiliary District 2 president Gene Shaw, and Helene Dunne at the poppy drive at Carmel Town Hall ing and involvement with local politics. On May 31, 1959, he married Josephine Cestaro at St. Kevin’s Church in Queens. They would spend summers in Mahopac before moving there permanently in 1970 to raise their family. In addition to Josephine, he is survived by his children and their spouses, Col. James Maxwell (USMC Ret) and wife, Anastasia; Alayne Melanophy and husband, Liam; Joseph Maxwell and wife, Mary Ann; and John Maxwell and wife, Lori Raffa; and his grandchildren: Connor, Kelly, Ryan, Kristen, Jack, Casey, Jamie, Joseph, and Daniel. He was predeceased by his brother William and sister, Kathleen Sky. James most loved spending time on Lake Mahopac with his family and sharing all of the activities that the lake provided. Services were held at St. John the Evangelist Church in Mahopac. Brewster Brewster, , NY an NY and d Bethel, C Bethel, CT T Design Centers Design Centers On your project everyday until completion... GUARANTEED! On your project everyday until completion... GUARANTEED! 845-278-0070 845-278-0070 Southeastkitchenan Southeastkitchenandbdbath.com ath.com Celebrating 50 years Pizza and Pasta Pick up or FREE Delivery with minimum $15 TUESDAY SPECIAL $2 OFF any large pie Exp. 7/30/23 LUNCH SPECIAL 2 slices cheese pizza plus can of soda $8.50 Mon-Thurs. 11:30-3:30pm Exp. 7/30/23 Under New Ownership since 2022 Why wait on long lines, when you can order on line! www.cacciatoripizzamahopac.com 941 So. Lake Blvd • Mahopac NY 10541 • 845-628-7984 FAMILY SPECIAL 2 large pies and a 2 litter bottle of soda Tel: 914-245-3899 • 32 Triangle Center, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 www.genesisjewelers.com Christmas in July July 19 through July 22 Sale! All Fine Jewelry in stock (new purchases only) Wednesday - Friday 10-6 Saturdays 10-5 45% off
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Time suddenly became a factor when someone noticed flames starting to emerge from beneath the vehicle. People up on the road began to shout, “It’s on fire!” Redoubling his efforts, Franz was finally able to pull the man free and get him out of the car. Moments later, the SUV became entirely engulfed in flames. It was like a scene from a blockbuster movie. But instead of an Oscar, Franz’s act of courage has been recognized with a Carnegie Medal. Last week, at the Carmel Town Board’s July 5 meeting, Congressman Mike Lawler was on hand to present the Mahopac resident, with the Carnegie Hero Award. The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission was established to recognize American and Canadian citizens who “risk death or serious injury to an extraordinary degree while attempting to save the lives of others.” Those chosen for recognition receive the Carnegie Medal. “So often in our daily lives we hear of incidents where tragedy ensues, but we don’t always hear of the great work that the men and women in law enforcement do every day to protect, to defend, to ensure the safety and well-being of our residents,” Lawler said during the award presentation. “This is but one example of hundreds that are performed daily in the Hudson Valley. We are especially grateful today for Officer Franz and the work that he did—quick to act to save a life and ensure his well-being.” Lawler noted that Franz performed the rescue instinctively and without regard for his own safety. “It speaks volumes about who you are and why you chose the profession that you did,” Lawler said to Franz. “So often our first responders put themselves in harm’s way without thinking, without hesitation. It is their instinct to do that.” The congressman noted that since 1904, the Carnegie Medal has been given out to more than 10,000 American and Canadian citizens “for being true heroes.” PAGE 6 – MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2023 RED MILLS Convenience Center 575 Route 6N, Mahopac Falls • 845-628-9745 We have your grab and go items! OUR COOLERS ARE STOCKED! Your Favorite Cold Beverages & Poland Spring Cases of Water! Come see our vintage candy shop Happy Hour Coffee Ask About our coffee club Your 10th Cup is FREE! Any Size 3-7pm Purchase your box of Coffee to go! Buy 10, Get 1 FREE! Try our Coffee Flavors of the Season! Milkshakes & Smoothies $ 399 $ 1 00 Sandwiches OFF We are here if you need anything! $.99 Valid 3 to 7 PM Cool off with our July Savings! We have over 100 helium balloon choices! Mahopac Teachers, Students, School & Bus Garage Employees Buy One Egg Sandwich, Get 2nd HALF OFF Buy Lunch Sandwich, Get a Soda or Coffee FREE and DEP, and we’re proud to say that we were able to save the Belden house to make sure that it did not come down...We also think it’s time that New York City finally delivers on the $2.9 million that it committed to restoring this building.” Noting its historic significance, Cazzari added that the building “needs to be saved” and that residents had been calling his office to voice the urgency of the situation. So far, the house’s destruction, reportedly set to happen this year, has been averted. Cazzari said the effort now is to seek funds from state and federal programs to kick-start the restoration. Meanwhile, the Friends plan to seek both public and grassroots support. “The Belden House has been identified by NYS Parks Recreation & Historic Preservation as a historic building and qualifies this structure and its associated farm buildings as eligible to be on the State and National Historic registries,” the organization’s website says, adding that it’s “determined to have NYC DEP keep its commitment of restoring the Belden House to its original exterior.” “We will continue to secure ongoing community support through petitions, letters to newspapers, attending town and county board meetings speaking out on this travesty,” the organization said. “Most importantly, we will continue meeting with town and county officials requesting their support in restoring this magnificent historic gem.” BELDEN FROM PAGE 5 FRANZ FROM PAGE 1 SEE FRANZ PAGE7 PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DEC Moments after Officer Franz removed the driver from the vehicle, it burst into flames.
The Mahopac School Board has a new president and vice president after the body’s reorganizational meeting held on July 6. Adam Savino, who has served on the school board for five years and was vice president for the past three, was the sole nominee for president and won unanimous approval. Fernando Martinez, who was elected to the board last year, was elected vice president over fellow trustee Lucy Massafra. The board, which has been down to eight members after the resignation of Mike Simone last term, also returned to its full nine members when former president Mike Mongon was sworn in to begin a three-year term. Speaking before the vote, Savino— who has lived in Mahopac most of his life, has been a volunteer firefighter for 29 years, and has been active in youth sports for decades—said that the board has come through “some of the most challenging times and also some of the most rewarding.” He said his priority was to ensure that “every child has the tools and resources available” and added that “the school board must be responsive and receptive to parents, staff, students as well as the community and be welcoming and encourage open dialog and get input from all group and gather all the facts before making decisions.” The vote between Martinez (nominated by outgoing president Ben Dilullo) and Massafra (nominated by Mongon) came after Dave Furfaro respectfully declined his nomination by Tanner McCracken. “I’m humbled to be chosen by my fellow trustees to be the vice president of the school board for the 2023-24 school year,” Martinez said. “I look forward to building on the great work led by outgoing President Ben Dilullo, and working with Superintendent Christine Tona to ensure every child in Mahopac has a quality education. “I look forward to hearing input from the community at board meetings, at the local soccer fields, at school plays, music concerts, or by email, which you can find on the district website,” he added. THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2023 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 7 Savino and Martinez voted to school board leadership Fernando Martinez Franz told Mahopac News that the night of the accident was dark and rainy. He was on routine patrol doing fishing compliance checks. “You know what we say about routine patrols?” he said. “There is no such thing as a routine patrol and that night exemplified that.” Franz said when he pulled over to investigate the accident, he heard on his radio that someone had called it in,. Yet although he knew EMS was on the way, he couldn’t wait. He said bystanders told him there was someone in the car with a dog. “The car was wedged between the ground and some trees, and it was pinned against a road sign so I couldn’t open the driver’s side door,” he recalled. “I was concerned about the dog, but I was trying to assess [the driver’s] condition and keep him talking. His dog was barking at me. I could tell [the driver] didn’t seem 100 percent there, but he was thinking about his dog. He kept saying, ‘Help my dog, help my dog.’” Franz handed the dog to a police officer who was still up on the road. It was at that time flames became visible from beneath the SUV. “I climbed inside the vehicle and grabbed [the driver] under the armpits,” Franz said. “I tried to drag him out, but his foot was caught [under the gas pedal]. I heard the revving of the engine and flames were now climbing up the side. Eventually, he comes free, and I drag him 10 feet away and we run out of space [to go any further]. “A mere seconds later the flames are like 15 feet high,” he continued. “When I pulled him out, I crouched between him and the fire. I had my ballistic vest on and was unknowingly protecting him.” By that time, more first responders had arrived and handed down a backboard and helped Franz strap the victim in and lift him over the rock wall and back onto the roadway above. Franz said he hasn’t spoken to the driver since the accident but believes he was from out of town, which may have contributed to why the car went off the road. “I learned he did sustain some severe injuries,” he said. “He wasn’t from the area and if you FRANZ FROM PAGE 1 SEE FRANZ PAGE 21 CARNIVAL H H H H H H H H H H H COME JOIN US: July 13,14,15 Pay one price to ride all night! The MVFD wishes to thank our community for their support of our Carnival ! LOCATED AT: 741 US-6, Mahopac, NY 10541 Raffle 50/50 Cash raffle 1st prize - 50/50 Raffle, 2nd prize - $500, 3rd Prize - $250 $5 Donation Adam Savino
Opinion BRETT FREEMAN, PUBLISHER EMILE MENACHÉ, EDITOR TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL, CREATIVE DIRECTOR Editorial Office: 845-208-0774 [email protected] 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ©2023 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC Letters to the editor and op-ed submissions may be edited. The views and opinions expressed in letters and op-eds are not necessarily those of Mahopac News 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 845-208-0774 PAGE 8 – MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2023 First, let’s be clear. Affirmative action is not dead; it’s a little hobbled maybe, but still standing. Too many (still) predominantly white colleges and universities have too much capital investment in buildings, curriculums, organizations and recruiting to dismantle their diversity efforts with the wave of a wand. Consciously including or excluding a mix just won’t be as visible or audible, like legacy or other special acceptances. Minority student populations on predominantly white campuses will dwindle and 20 years from now we will be wringing our hands once again because colleges and universities no longer represent the face of their off-campus communities and we’ll be asking how it happened. The answer, of course, is always the same: not necessarily by intent but in practice. Without the reminder and pressure of legislation, monitoring the law and auditing practices, the results - - the pressure to diversify - - will fade. Without deliberate intent but with predictable behavior, predominantly white colleges and universities will default to old thinking and behavior. Remember why regulations for OSHA, labor unions, veteran entitlements, banks and financial institutions were necessary? Hidden is a pearl, an advantage, an unintended boon to historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and their communities, which may still struggle with their endowment and the ability to offer financial aid. Although presented as victims in mainstream media, these schools can flourish. It will be an easy shift for African American students rejected by white colleges to find acceptance at HBCUs. Black and foreign students of color will now simply turn to a smaller base of academic options, but still engage in the process and benefits of a post-secondary higher education. Over time, the HBCUs will hire more faculty, build more buildings, accept more students and by default increase their endowments and alumni contributions. Historically black colleges’ coffers will grow, alumni associations will have a greater base from whom to solicit and Black infrastructure will thicken and soar. HBCU graduates will still be as competitive as any other. Whether or not the races are now separate but equal will resurface in discussion. The Supreme Court has inadvertently enabled a burst of economic potential to the Black communities in the U.S. It has also unintentionally robbed white academic institutions of some of their economic base. To wit: There are currently 107 HBCUs serving more than 228,000 students throughout this country. Nearly a quarter of the students attending these institutions were non-Black, as of 2019, with white, Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander and Native American students making up a fifth of HBCU populations. Richard Humphreys established the African Institute (now Cheyney University) in 1837 in Pennsylvania, making it the oldest HBCU in the United States. So, HBCUs are entrenched institutions, not some hastily established offshoots of any civil rights act. In 1969, the late D. Park Gibson, president of a public relations firm in Manhattan, published “The $30 Billion Negro, an examination of the consumer strength of African Americans,” then estimated at $30 billion. Manhattan based McKinsey & Company estimates that African Americans will represent a $1.8 trillion spending power in 2024. The silver lining in the Supreme Court decision about colleges and universities and affirmative action will have far reaching - - and, I believe - - unintended benefits as well as consequences. Patricia Adams moved to Somers from Hastings on Hudson in 2007. She graduated from NYU Stern in 1963 and earned her MBA at Atlanta University in 1969. She worked in human resources for IBM and retired from Digital Equipment Corporation/Hewlett Packard in 1998. She was awarded an honorary doctor of letters from Hobart & William Smith Colleges in 2023. She welcomes your ideas and comments at [email protected]. Silver lining to affirmative action decision PATRICIA ADAMS GUEST COLUMNIST This July 4th marked the 160th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. The anniversary was part of the draw for me to participate as a delegate in a convention of Braver Angels, which was held at Gettysburg College over four days following the holiday. Braver Angels is an organization formed in 2016 in response to the rising political polarization across the country. The first meeting took place in Ohio shortly after the presidential election. Attending were 11 Clinton supporters and 11 Trump supporters dedicated to the mission of bridging the partisan divide and helping depolarize the country. The symbolism of holding the event on the site of the bloodiest battle of the Civil War where over 50,000 Americans perished, as well as the site of Lincoln’s iconic Gettysburg address, was not lost on the organizers. Last week’s convention was triple the size of the previous gathering, drawing over 750 delegates who were equally divided between “reds” and “blues,” so their message must be catching on. All delegates were required to pick a side in order to participate. It is not your party registration that determines your side, but rather your “tendency” to vote for Democrats or Republicans. One of the group’s founders, David Blankenhorn, referred to the gathering as the largest gathering of reds and blues in equal numbers and on equal footing in this century, which I guess would be hard to disprove. Adding to the experience was holding the event at Gettysburg College. A ‘Braver Angels’ visit to Gettysburg DON SCOTT IN CASE YOU MISSED IT SEE SCOTT PAGE 9
THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2023 OPINION MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 9 349 Route 52 • Carmel 845-225-3054 24/hr Towing • 845-225-8006 www.chrisautomotive.com Celebrating our 32nd Anniversary in August! THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATRONAGE! OPEN SATURDAYS FOR REPAIRS No Appointments Needed For Most Services Mon - Fri 7am-6pm • Sat 7am-1pm $5.00 OFF REG. OIL CHANGE & $10.00 OFF SYNTHETIC OIL CHANGE Present coupon at time of drop off. Not valid with other offers or discounts Expires 8/5/23 $30.00 OFF The Purchase of 4 New Tires & A 4 Wheel Alignment Must Present at time of Service. Not valid with other offers or discounts Expires 8/5/23 $10.00 OFF Any $100 Service Must Present at time of Service. Not valid with other offers or discounts Expires 8/5/23 $100.00 OFF AUTO BODY REPAIR OVER $1,500 SOME RESTRICTIONS APPLY Must Present at time of Service. Not valid with other offers or discounts Expires 8/5/23 State Of The Art Auto Body Repair Center Collision Estimates • Repair All Makes & Models • All Major Insurance Accepted I-Car Certified Technicians • Body & Frame/Dent & Ding Repair • Glass Replacement Courtesy Door To Door Service Available! FREE TOWING back to shop with most repairs! We were housed in dorms and ate our meals in the dining hall together. The food and facilities have come a long way since I attended college. The Gettysburg campus is beautiful, and it made me nostalgic for my college days, which I did not fully appreciate at the time. Mealtime between sessions gave opportunities to interact with the other delegates. Everyone wore their name tag with a red or blue lanyard and the state they were representing, which provided a conversational icebreaker when you sought out someone to sit with. I, like most people, sought out an opposite color to sit with. I met a teacher, a priest, a therapist, a retired scientist and a journalist, among others. I also met a couple who were celebrating their anniversary. I’m not sure that would be my wife’s idea of a romantic getaway, but different strokes for different folks. In addition to plenary sessions with the entire convention in attendance — with speeches, presentations and musical entertainment — there were dozens of small-group breakout sessions and workshops with a wide range of topics from a debate about DEI to Christian Nationalism to Toxic Media. I took part in a workshop on writing op-eds taught by the editor of Newsweek and another on improving your family political conversations taught by a family therapist. I learned that family estrangement, when a family member has cut off communication with the rest of the family, is an epidemic. Those breakups are often driven by political differences. Braver Angels has trained hundreds of volunteer moderators and facilitators who have conducted thousands of workshops and debates at state and local legislatures, high schools, colleges, senior centers, and libraries centered on providing opportunities to engage in political discourse with honesty, dignity and respect. The organization seeks to foster a social movement and they seem to be well on their way. Their platform, which was developed at the convention, is titled, “First Principles of the Civic Renewal Movement.” One of the musical groups performing at the event may provide the perfect metaphor of the movement. The group “Gangstagrass” combines rap music with bluegrass. Like peanut butter and banana sandwiches, it sounds like a terrible idea, but it tastes pretty good. They made great music together. If rap and bluegrass can come together, maybe there’s hope for the Braver Angels mission of bringing America together. To learn more, visit braverangels.org. SCOTT FROM PAGE 8 Rule of law not served by county rules change Dear Editor, I attended the Rules Committee meeting held in the very small conference room on the third floor of the county office building on June 21. Notice of the agenda was short, but the topic was so intriguing, I was compelled to attend. I heard our county executive put forth the proposition that Putnam should be designated as a rule of law county and I wondered why it was necessary. The United States Constitution represents the first effort by a nation to establish a constitution of laws that would bind the government and guarantee particular rights to the people; a country built on the rule of law that all men are created equal. With fits and starts, we are here and working on that very proposition in these United States. Today, the rule of law is linked to efforts to promote protection of human rights worldwide. What has this to do with county governance? I have not seen the term rule of law defined in the current discussions or how it would differ from the existing documents that this county is founded on. Indeed, the term is admitted to be difficult to define. And, in light of that fact, in 2007, the American Bar Association established the World Justice Project and drafted a working definition of “the rule of law,” promoting four concepts: a system of self-government where all people are accountable under the law; a system based on fair publicized broadly understood stable laws; a fair robust and accessible legal process in which rights and responsibilities are evenly enforced; and a system of diverse, competent and independent lawyers and judges. These are lofty goals not served by the county executives rules change, tarnished by the behaviors of the attendees at the meeting and further stained by the public comments at the Putnam County Legislature meeting on July 5. By a vote of 8 to 1, legislators allowed outrageously inaccurate statements to stand unchallenged (although they had the information to correct those fundamental misstatements of fact) to support this legislation. They further defended it by stating, “It’s not a law; it’s a policy.” If there is validity in their position, then why do they not fairly, clearly and honestly tell the public the unvarnished truth without hyperbole? They should be transparent and publicize it broadly, fairly and robustly. Grownups don’t need pep rally tactics to arrive at rational decisions. Oh, and a bonus in this approach, rational decisions are defensible in a court of law. -Kathleen M. Valletta-McMorrow Candidate for Carmel Town Board LETTERS SEE LETTERS PAGE 10
PAGE 10 – MAHOPAC NEWS OPINION THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2023 (mis)Understanding Mammy The Hattie McDaniel Story July 14 -30 By Joan Ross Sorkin Directed by Seret Scott Starring Multi Award Winning TINA FABRIQUE Tickets at: theSchoolhouseTheater.org A Westchester Premiere! A One Woman Play with Music “...a heart-breaking story of stardom and struggle in America” Nestled in a lush green hideaway of Yorktown Heights amidst tall evergreens and nature’s beauty, sits The Country House, recently named a Best Assisted Living community by U.S. News & World Report. We invite you to tour and learn more about how our services can benefit you or your loved one. Call (914) 249-9144 to schedule. Experience the Best THE Country House in westchester 2000 Baldwin Road · Yorktown Heights · thecountryhouseinwestchester.com LIC # 800-F-007 One-party rule bad for Putnam Dear Editor, One-party rule in Putnam County is not only a risk to democracy and good government, but it is now actually cannibalizing the freedom of our town governments and small businesses to make their own decisions. The county executive’s shared services agreement legislation—rubber stamped by eight of nine legislators—seeks to usurp the power of duly elected municipalities, which undermines local zoning ordinances to impose the political agenda of an uncontested executive. To date, there have been no requests for Putnam to take asylum seekers, and even if they came, they would be accompanied by federal, state, and city funding. This is a hypothetical mischaracterized problem with a large legal price tag. There will be lawsuits. And Putnam County taxpayers will foot the bill when those lawsuits come. Hate and fearmongering can be expensive when you are forced to defend them in court. Putnam residents need to realize what this one-party government is doing right here, in meetings that are conveniently not streamed to the public. The only way to shine light at the dark shadows of tyranny is to break up the oneparty rule and elect a government that reflects and respects our diverse American heritage and gives a voice to all Putnam residents. -Jennifer Colamonico Putnam County Democratic Committee LETTERS FROM PAGE 9 Dear Dr. Linda, Our daughter is entering fourth grade and the last thing her teacher said to me at our spring conference was, “Emma is still struggling in math, so be sure to do math with her over the summer so she won’t struggle in fourth grade.” Did she ruin our summer with that advice? Yes. As a student, I hated math. I didn’t understand what the teacher was saying and when my parents tried to help me, it made everything worse. My husband and I don’t know what to do—and my daughter ends up crying if I mention the word “math.” Any advice? -Vicky Dear Vicky, Unfortunately, many people hate math. And it’s not because math is so hard to understand—it’s that math is personal. Some children understand numbers and enjoy playing with numbers. They’re our future mathematicians. However, even these children sometimes struggle in school with math because the teacher is told to follow a particular program and some children simply don’t do well with that program. For example, Andrew loved basketball and was able to figure out scores and make predictions by doing math in his head. Yet, he was unable to succeed following the school program because it had multiple steps and he struggled with anything in which he had to follow multiple steps. Because of this, he was failing math and had to go to school at 7:30 a.m., an hour and a half before everyone else, for math help. Obviously, it didn’t help him because he was still following the same program, a program that didn’t account for Andrew’s needs. Additionally, many children need to count on their fingers when they first learn how to add and subtract. Yet, as I mentioned in a previous column, many program-following teachers don’t allow these children to use their fingers. (As a result, the only thing they learn is how to hide their fingers.) One more example is the child who loves math, but is told (because of the program the school is using) that he needs to write and explain what he’s doing. For some children this is fine, but for one fifth-grader I worked with, this was a disaster because he had trouble with writing. He started failing math. If not for his parents and teacher who decided together to let him do the math his way, he’d still be failing math. Instead, he’s now entering eighth grade with an A+ average in accelerated math. The point is, teachers need to find the method that fits each child, not find a method and then try to make each child fit the method. When this happens, the child usually becomes frustrated and anxious and math becomes a negative thing. To prevent math from becoming even more negative for your daughter (and you), play age-appropriate math games that require the learning of addition or subtraction or the times tables, etc., to win. This will help your daughter and you change the way you both think Teachers must find the method that fits the child Prevent math from becoming negative DR. LINDA SILBERT STRONG LEARNING SEE DR. LINDA PAGE 11
THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2023 OPINION MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 11 Contact ANTHONY J. ENEA, ESQ. Managing Member • Fluent in Italian 914.948.1500 WHITE PLAINS • SOMERS • WWW.ESSLAWFIRM.COM • Asset Protection • Elder Law • Medicaid Applications (Nursing Home/Home Care) • Guardianships (Contested/Non-Contested) • Wills, Trusts & Estates Past Chair of Elder Law Section of NYS Bar Association “Super Lawyer” In Elder Law for 16 consecutive years When did you last update your last will and testament and power of attorney? CALL NEW YORK’S ELDER LAW TEAM 914.948.1500 and feel about math. Here’s one you might start with: First make a tic-tac-toe design. Instead of putting in X’s and O’s, put the numbers 4,9, and 2 across the top row. Then put 3,5, and 7 across the center row. Now put 8,1, and 6 across the bottom row. (If you add any three numbers across, down or diagonally, it always adds up to the same thing—15. Here’s to having fun with math, -Dr. Linda Dr. Linda, along with her husband, Dr. Al, own Strong Learning Tutoring and Test Prep, serving Westchester and Putnam counties for over 40 years. Strong Learning tutors students K-12 in any subject, in person or remotely. Drs. Linda and Al are also the originators of Phonics, Fluency and Math SuperDeck Learning Games, which make learning a whole lot more fun. For more information, visit stronglearning.com. DR. LINDA FROM PAGE 10 Every so often I eavesdrop on a couple of locals whom I call Mom and Pop Culture. They could be your next door neighbor. Or you. Or almost anybody else. They’re aware of what’s happening and quite outspoken (though aren’t we all). Let’s dial in to them now as they drive to wherever… POP: I guess you’ll take the Tappan Zee? MOM: No, sir. Not happening. POP: Why not? MOM: There is none. POP: None what? MOM: Tappan Zee Bridge. It came down in 2017. Replaced by the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. Full stop. POP: Oh, lordy, here we go again. MOM: Just sayin’. POP: Just agitatin’ more like it. MOM: Me agitatin’? You’re the one who’s down with this whole “The bridge that dare not speak its name” hue and cry. POP: Nobody’s crying, Mom. We simply want justice! MOM: I get it, Pop. Social Justice. Environmental Justice. Now add “Public Works Identity Crisis Justice.” POP: There’s a petition signed by 300,000 people who want their good name back. MOM: Their good name? You mean they want the bridge to be called The Luddites? “Can’t change the name! It’s sacreligious!” POP: Then color me Luddite. The bridge’s native name honors native Americans. MOM: I know that. I respect that. What I didn’t know is that overnight you’ve become a fervent advocate for the rights of indigenous peoples. How convenient when it suddenly suits your agenda. Isn’t that called cultural appropriation? POP: If you say so. But I’ll tell you what it’s not. MOM: What? POP: It’s not political. MOM (after a roar of laughter): Come again? POP: Restoring the Tappan Zee name is not simply the sentiment of Republicans who want to reverse what former Gov. Andrew Cuomo ramrodded through his heavily Democratic legislature. MOM: It’s not? POP: A Democratic state senator from Orange County has made it his cause celebre to un-name the Cuomo Bridge and rename it the Tappan Zee. MOM: Impressive. His district must be a problem-free paradise for him to prioritize a bridge name as an urgent matter. POP: That’s not how it works, Mom. He can be paying attention to multiple matters simultaneously. Making that bridge’s sacred heritage whole again happens to be one of them. MOM: Whatever. I’m fully aware that Andrew Cuomo resigned as governor under duress for his problematic personal behavior, which I do not condone one bit, but here’s the rub, Pop: The bridge ain’t named for him. It’s named for his father. POP: Who said the world’s fair, Mom? Sometimes the sins of the son are visited on the father. MOM: Yeah, Pop, seems there’s a lot of that going around these days. But, as you said, it has nothing to do with politics. Bruce Apar is a writer, community volunteer and actor. He can be seen on stage Saturday, July 22 (at 8 p.m.) and Sunday, July 23 (at 4 p.m.), as Morrie in “Tuesdays with Morrie,” at Whippoorwill Hall in Armonk. Admission is free. For more information, contact him at 914-275-6887 (text or voice) or bapar@ me.com. Now you Zee it, now you don’t The bridge that dare not speak its name BRUCE APAR BRUCE THE BLOG
PAGE 12 MAHOPAC NEWS – TH The annual Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department Carnival kicked off last week and continues through Saturday. As always, festivities started with a parade featuring Mahopac VFD, Mahopac Falls VFD, and other area departments before kids (of all ages) headed over to the firehouse on Route 6 and Croton Falls Road for some fun rides, tasty food, games and prizes. “It is a competition parade with awards given for various reasons,” said Mahopac VFD’s Ron Goodrow. “Mahopac has won hundreds of parades in its history.” The carnival will reopen on Thursday, July 13, and closes on the evening of Saturday, July 15. Admission is free. Krissy Zegarelli and Ella, 3, take a ride on the giant slide. This crew was ready for a spin. Little Dominic Schiulaz, 3, wins big. Mason Eckstein, Chris Weizenecker, Gianna Ortega and Nicholas Ortega The McMahon and Lubera families Three alarm fun! Kids get into the swing of things. It happens h Greene County Youth Fair July 27-30 Angelo Canna Park, Cairo Auto • Home • Umbrella • Life • Business Aardvark Insurance Call Us for MULTIPLE QUOTES So You Can Get The Best Buy! REPLACING scores of Allstate, State Farm & Geico Policies EVERY DAY! • Savings • Service • Satisfaction Don’t Call an 800 # SHOP LOCAL! WE OFFER MANY A-RATED COMPANIES! Travelers • Safeco • Progressive • Kemper • Hartford AARP Sterling • Hanover • Utica Mutual • Adirondack and many more Are your rates going up? 421 Route 6, Mahopac, NY 845.208.3707 Stay Safe. Stay Healthy. Service... Integrity... Compassion www.YorktownFuneralhome.com • (914) 962-0700 • [email protected] 945 East Main Street, Yorktown, NY 10588 Family owned and operated We began with a mission to celebrate life and serve families. There is much peace to be found here, and we invite you to find yours. Explore more. Take a tour. Read our story. Share in experiences.
URSDAY, JULY 13, 2023 PAGE 13 Louis Prokos, 6, joins his grandfather, parade marshal David Cariddo, as the Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department marches down the street. Mackenzie Trace, 1, wanted to join the parade. PHOTOS: TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL AND JENNA WALDMAN Christian Ward, 6, sports his dad’s dress hat. Noah Osika, 6, and his brother Asher, 8, try to get the firetrucks to honk their horns. The Mahopac Falls VFD’s antique fire truck rolls down the parade route. The Young Colonials Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department’s Bill Nikisher and Mahopac Falls Volunteer Fire Department’s Gary Link here. GreatNorthernCatskills.com The Consumer’s Choice for Discount Heating Oil! SAVE WITH OUR LOW C.O.D. PRICES! • No Contracts or Commitments • Oil Burner & A/C Service/Tune-ups • Quality Heating Oil • Senior Citizen & Volume Discounts • Heating, Cooling & Generator Installations • Price Matching (Restrictions apply) Order online at: www.codoil.com CALL US TODAY AND SAVE! 914.737.7769 www.pleasantvillewellnessgroup.com CONTACT US 450 Manville Road, First Floor Pleasantville NY 10570 [email protected] (call) 914-769-1586 (text) 845-260-2797 PLEASANTVILLE WELLNESS GROUP offers compassionate and affordable care for whatever you or a loved one may be struggling with. Reach out today to find out how we can support you through your mental health journey. Services offered in person and online.
PAGE 14 – MAHOPAC NEWS OPINION THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2023 845-279-9555 • TankRemovalServices.com Before you place your home on the market, contact ENVIROSTAR about replacing your aging underground storage tank (UST). It is required by most insurance companies prior to insuring property. We replace above ground tanks as well! Call us today for a free estimate and evaluation of your current above ground tank. SUMMER SPECIAL! $100 OFF IN-GROUND TANK REMOVAL With this coupon only. Coupon must be presented at the time of the estimate. Not to be combined with any other offers. Expires 8/30/23 FREE ESTIMATES WE WILL MATCH OUR COMPETITOR’S ADVERTISED OFFER! We are the name you trust for environmental needs Since 1998 DON’T GET CAUGHT WITH AN AGING OIL TANK! Elder Law Wills, Trusts & Estates Estate Planning Medicaid Applications Guardianships Probates Elder Law & Estate Planning A Tradition of Excellence in Elder Law (845) 621-8640 thefellergroup.com 625 Route 6, Mahopac NY 10541 We make home & hospital visits Contact the team today! (845) 621-8640 Small Business Administration data show that 12.7% of all American businesses fail annually. Only one-third of family-owned businesses survive to the second generation. 49.7% of new businesses fail within five years. There are many reasons why. One stands out in my mind – inadequate planning for the future. Markets evolve fast these days. Executives need to think hard beyond today, about the market of the future, so they can be ready to win in that future. It’s hard to project the future, but not thinking deeply about it can be fatal. Recent trends may help. Think about which trends are likely to continue and which you believe may flatten out or reverse. Take advantage of the wealth of data available in the U.S. Census Bureau reports. As a start, you can use that data to project future population age distribution. If your business caters to older people, it’s easy to project the growth of older Americans from those Census Bureau reports. Consider broad societal trends and how those may impact your industry. Look at what industry experts are projecting. They may not always be right, but they can certainly nourish your own thinking. In painting your picture of the future market, a handy organizational structure is “the 5 Cs” -- Category, Customers, Channels of distribution, Competition and Capability requirements. CATEGORY Think hard about what category you are really competing in. For example, if you were the marketing head of Godiva, I’d suggest that you’re not in the candy business, but really in the special occasion gift business, competing against flowers, cologne and other unrelated products. Of course, sometimes the category is totally clear and defined by its products. Then you need to think about where the category is heading. Is it growing? Shrinking (maybe you need new sales and profit opportunities)? Fragmenting? What segments are growing or emerging? Are new government regulations on the horizon? How about new, emerging technologies? CUSTOMERS Who needs your category? What customer segments do you expect to grow or shrink? What are the needs and expectations of the various segments? How do different customer segments measure value? What will the sales and profit potential be in these different segments? CHANNELS OF DISTRIBUTION How will customers access your category? Will big box store importance dominate? Will smaller specialty stores play a role? What about online? Might your category move through different third party distributors or facilitators such as contractors? Will do-it-yourself be an option? How about different tiers of professional services providers? Will all this differ by customer and category segment? COMPETITION Who will you be competing against? Large, established players? New category entrants? How high or low will barriers to entry be for new competitors? Do you expect substitutes to what constitutes the category today? How will these different competitors compete – on price, on quality, on new technology, on better performing product substitutes? CAPABILITY REQUIREMENTS What will the key capability requirements be to compete effectively in the various product and customer segments? Will product performance differences rule? Or might low cost, enabling low pricing, be key? In what ways will winners have to be superior versus just good enough? Lots to consider. In my next column, we’ll go beyond this picture of the future, and help you decide how to act on this portrait. Do you want to learn more? Visit www. halstonmedia.com, and fill out the “Get in Touch” form on the home page. Before helping his son found Halston Media, Kenneth Freeman led a global marketing research company. Freeman earned his MBA from Harvard University and has led the marketing departments at major Fortune 500 corporations throughout his career. Think ahead if you want to win tomorrow WITH KEN FREEMAN Advertise With Us When you advertise with Mahopac News, you are reaching thousands of households and businesses throughout Mahopac, Mahopac Falls and portions of Carmel. To advertise or to place a classified, call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 or email [email protected].
THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2023 OPINION MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 15 Please print your first and last names and address legibly, sign and date (all required to continue receiving your subscription to this newspaper). YES, I wish to receive a FREE 3-year subscription to The Katonah-Lewisboro Times. YES, I really enjoy The Katonah-Lewisboro Times, and I’d like to continue receiving it for 3 years, along with a monetary contribution this year. (Please print legibly.) First (Required) (Required) (Required) (Required) (Required. Please print legibly.) Last (Required) City: State: ZIP: Name: Signature: Email: Snowbird Dates (if applicable): Date: Phone: Address: (Optional) (Optional for TAPinto E-News) Checks payable to Halston Media LLC Please include this form in your envelope. Mail to: P.O. 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Please include the following additional papers as part of this subscription: North Salem News The Somers Record Yorktown News The Mt. Kisco-Bedford Times The Katonah-Lewisboro times Like some folks, I spent July 4th celebrating my independence from some of the junk that’s in our garage, and endeavoring to replace it with more stuff that will one day itself be junk. I needed some big boxes to throw the stuff out, and where better to get them than a big box store? The Home Improvement Store (not its real name) is the biggest big box store I can think of, and when I got there I was surprised to find that the plum parking spaces were reserved for “Pro Shoppers.” I researched this further and apparently it’s a rewards program for frequent customers, and as they buy more home improvement stuff, they get a free drink or snack credited to their account. The more they spend, the more free snacks they get, and they start to drool like Pavlov’s dog as they loiter around the gardening section. I found a guy wearing an orange apron and I asked, “Hi- I recently received an SOS message from something stranded on my kitchen island. Where would I find materials to rescue it?” “You might try the Isle Aisle, Number 122,” he said. “Oh, OK, Aisle do that. I mean I’LL do that,” I responded. I found a huge dolly the size of a cabin cruiser, big enough to hold all my purchases until my credit card company calls to have an intervention. They’re the only people who ever say that I don’t give myself enough credit. Once I got to Aisle Number 122, they had everything there but the kitchen sink, which was unfortunate, since I needed a new kitchen sink. “Oh- Kitchen sinks are in Aisle number 3. It’s about half a mile west of here, then you turn right at this thing that looks like a roll of insulation. That’s actually my manager.” No sooner did I manage to get my cart moving again when a guy coming out of Aisle 121 with an even bigger cart almost hit me. “Dude I have the right of way, since I’m going straight and you’re making a turn,” I said. “Plus once I get going I can’t stop this thing without casting anchor.” He said, “My apologies, I didn’t realize you were going straight since two of your three wheels are going in opposite directions.” He was a little drooly and had a glazed-over look; I pegged him as a “Pro Shopper.” As I walked through the walls of hardware, I couldn’t help feeling sorry for Henry F. Phillips. Imagine going through life with a head so oddly shaped that they named the Phillips-head screwdriver after you? I asked a sales representative, “Do you have any spot remover?” “Hmmm.... It used to be in that spot right over there.” We need new trash cans, but I have no idea how to throw out the old ones. If I put the old bin inside the new bin, will the trash collector know that the old bin is a has-been? I stalked the power tool section, because not needing something is a poor excuse not to buy it. If you were fighting a war, I bet you could defend your territory one Home Improvement Store (not its real name) at a time. Just in this aisle alone, with pneumatic nail guns, impact wrenches and a Milwaukee Sawzall, I like your chances. You’d have to lure the enemy to the store using, say, the promise of an air conditioner sale. In the lawn section, there was a 23-horsepower fabricated-deck V-twin engine with a hydro-static transmission gang mower that I had my eye on. Loaded up with a sunroof and custom wheel covers, I bet it would be a pretty sweet ride. I imagined people racing these things at Watkins Glen, and meanwhile they get their grass cut for free. But I’m saving my money for a grain harvester. I strike up a little small talk on the checkout line with a guy sporting quite a few prison tattoos. “Wow that’s an interesting array you’ve got there, duct tape, zip ties, rubber gloves, bleach and a shovel! You must have quite a problem with rats! HA HA HA HA!” I got the hell out of there. I ended up behind a guy with a 30- foot beam in his cart, and I could barely make out the cashier in the distance. A new checkout line opened and when he turned his cart around to make a scramble for it, about 15 of us had to double-Dutch over his beam. In the parking lot I couldn’t fit some of my purchases in the car, and I thought about buying the lawn mower just to get the stuff home. In the end, I was able to get home with everything except for quite a bit of my money. Say hello at [email protected]. Thinking outside the big box RICK MELÉN MAN OVERBOARD Promote Your Charity Send us a press release at [email protected], or give us a call at 845-208-0774.
Sports PAGE 16 – MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2023 For the first time in eight years, Mahopac Sports Association (MSA) travel baseball teams will take the field in Cooperstown—with not just one but two teams representing the town. The Mahopac Indians 12U baseball teams—one called Blue, the other Gold—will face off with squads from all over the country from Aug. 8-14 as part of Cooperstown’s All-Star Village Tournament. “Participating in the Cooperstown tournament is a rite of passage for 12- and 13-year-old boys who play baseball, a longawaited dream come true,” said coach John Kugler, whose son Mason plays for the Blue. “The teams worked hard last year fundraising with the greatly appreciated support of our community and local businesses. We want to thank everyone for all of your support in helping us on our journey to Cooperstown. We couldn’t have done it without you.” While the two squads will both represent the MSA against teams from all over the U.S. in Cooperstown, they recently faced rivals from much closer to home—each other. On Sunday, July 2, the two battled at the Crane Road field in a tight contest that saw Blue prevail 4-3. The Blue squad got on the board in the top of the first inning after Cayden Nunez grounded out, and Gianni Madera singled, each scoring one run. Max Obijiski singled, which helped the Gold tie the game at two in the bottom of the third. Blue 12U took the lead in the top of the fourth. After an error put Blue up 3-2, Declan Cotter laid down a sacrifice that drove in the fourth run, giving Blue a lead it would never relinquish. Cole Brandstetter earned the win for Blue. The starting pitcher allowed five hits and two runs over three innings, striking out six and walking two. Peter Maccio took the loss for Gold. He went four and two-thirds innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits, striking out one and walking three. Declan Cotter collected the save. Gianni Madera led Blue with two hits in two at-bats. Cole Brandstetter stole three bases. Blue ran wild on the base paths, tallying six stolen bases for the game. Aydan McPhillips led Gold with two hits in two at-bats. Gold’s Douglas Mark, Aydan McPhillips, and Max Obijiski each drove in one run. “These boys showed some great hometown fun and sportsmanship with many friends versing friends on both teams,” Kugler said. “It was great to see the camaraderie with these boys as they laughed, smiled, and faced off against one another.” Next stop is Cooperstown. Here’s the roster (names and numbers provided by the MSA): MSA Indians Blue and Indians Gold will be in national tourney 66 Miller Road, Mahopac 845-628-2050 www.mavistireofmahopac.com With This Coupon • Expires 9/30/23 $10.00OFF Synthetic Oil change (MOST CARS) 25%OFF 25 % OFF STRUTS & SHOCKS With This Coupon • Expires 9/30/23 CARING FOR YOUR CAR & OUR COMMUNITY FOR OVER 35 YEARS! The Friendly Mavis Team BASEBALL SEE BASEBALL PAGE 17 Two Mahopac U12 baseball teams headed to Cooperstown PHOTO COURTESY OF KIM KUGLER The Mahopac Indians U12 Blue and Gold teams are both headed to Cooperstown next month,
THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2023 SPORTS MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 17 MAHOPAC INDIANS 12U BLUE: Cayden Nunez No. 99 Cole Brandstetter No. 44 Declan Cotter No. 9 Gianni Madera No. 3 Grady Muller No. 27 Jaxson Weisblatt No. 24 Landon Saracco No. 13 Mason Kugler No. 7 Nicholas Marcella No. 23 Patrick Stirpe No. 48 Ryan Giorgianni No. 17 Tommy Calderone No. 15 Coaches : Jimmy Cotter (head coach), Dan Brandstetter, Nick Giorgianni, John Kugler MAHOPAC INDIANS 12U GOLD Aidan Zeisler No. 00 Ayden McPhillips No. 1 Cole McKenna No. 6 Douglas Mark No. 25 Jack Acocella No. 11 Jack Safieh No. 14 Leo Przymylski No. 18 Logan McDonnell No. 12 Max Obijiski No. 3 Peter Maccio No. 99 Peyton Wines No. 16 Randy Castaldo No. 2 Coaches: Pete Maccio (head coach), Aaron Obijiski, Ben Wines, Tom McKenna BASEBALL FROM PAGE 16 Peter Maccio of 12U Gold 12U Blue’s Cayden Nunez was named MVP. PHOTOS COURTESY OF KIM KUGLER The 12U Gold team had a conference at the mound. Gianni Madera of 12U Blue 12U Blue’s Tommy Calderone, Mason Kugler and Cole Brandstetter celebrate a run scored. PICK-UP & DELIVERY AVAILABLE WE SERVICE ALL BRANDS OF PORTABLE GENERATORS 845-225-3503 * LAWN MOWERS * CHAIN SAWS * TRIMMERS * TRACTORS * GENERATORS * MOTORCYCLES * ATV’S * AND MORE! FACTORY-TRAINED SERVICE TECHNICIANS EAST ROAD MOTORS 58 CAROLAN RD. EAST • CARMEL, NY www.EASTROADMOTORS.com
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THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2023 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 19 Increase referrals and name recognition. Advertise in the Mahopac News Bulletin Board and reach over 7,000 USPS delivered mailing addresses every week. Call 845-208-8151 today! My Community Bulletin Board Service: 914-669-9679 Auto Sales: 914-485-1195 Fax: 914-669-9685 6 Dingle Ridge Road - North Salem, NY 10560 meccanicshop.com BOGO 40% OFF OFFER ENDS 10/31 888-448-0421 © 2023 Consumer Cellular Inc. Terms and Conditions subject to change. New service activation on approved credit. Cellular service is not available in all areas and is subject to system limitations. Savings calculation is based on a comparison of Consumer Cellular’s average customer invoice to the average cost of single-line entry-level plans o ered by the major U.S. wireless carriers as of May 2022. CALL CONSUMER CELLULAR 844-919-1682 Switch & Save Up to $250/Year On Your Talk, Text and Data Plan! NOTHING YOU NEED. YOU DON’T. EVERYTHING from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company Call to get your FREE Information Kit 1-855-225-1434 Dental50Plus.com/nypress Product not available in all states. Includes the Participating (in GA: Designated) Providers and Preventive Benefits Rider. Acceptance guaranteed for one insurance policy/certificate of this type. Contact us for complete details about this insurance solicitation. This specific offer is not available in CO, NY; 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). 6208-0721 DENTAL Insurance BUYING ONLY 845-628-0362 WE WILL COME TO YOU! 52 YEARS! WE BUY: GOLD • STERLING SILVER • JEWELRY • COINS • PAINTINGS • BRONZES • CLOCKS • COLLECTIBLES • ANTIQUES • ETC. Items for sale? Call us! EXCLUSIVE LIMITED TIME OFFER! Promo Code: 285 FINANCING THAT FITS YOUR BUDGET!1 1 Subject to credit approval. Call for details. FREE GUTTER ALIGNMENT + FREE GUTTER CLEANING* SENIORS & MILITARY! YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE* 20 + % % OFF 10 OFF *For those who qualify. One coupon per household. No obligation estimate valid for 1 year. **Offer valid at time of estimate only. 2The leading consumer reporting agency conducted a 16 month outdoor test of gutter guards in 2010 and recognized LeafFilter as the “#1 rated professionally installed gutter guard system in America.” Manufactured in Plainwell, Michigan and processed at LMT Mercer Group in Ohio. See Representative for full warranty details. Registration# 0366920922 CSLB# 1035795 Registration# HIC.0649905 License# CBC056678 License# RCE-51604 Registration# C127230 License# 559544 Suffolk HIC License# 52229-H License# 2102212986 License# 262000022 License# 262000403 License# 2106212946 License# MHIC111225 Registration# 176447 License# 423330 Registration# IR731804 License# 50145 License# 408693 Registration# 13VH09953900 Registration# H-19114 License# 218294 Registration# PA069383 License# 41354 License# 7656 DOPL #10783658-5501 License# 423330 License# 2705169445 License# LEAFFNW822JZ License# WV056912 CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE ESTIMATE BACKED BY A YEAR-ROUND CLOG-FREE GUARANTEE 1-855-478-9473 Mon-Thurs: 8am-11pm, Fri-Sat: 8am-5pm, Sun: 2pm-8pm EST AFFORDABLE Dumpster Rentals! CIRONE CARTING 845-533-5262 855.281.6439 I Free Quotes UP TO Could your kitchen use a little magic? ON YOUR FULL KITCHEN REMODEL* SAVE 10% *Discount applies to purchase of new cabinets or cabinet refacing with a countertop. Does not apply to countertop only projects. May not combine with other offers or prior purchases. Exp.3/31/23. NP-263. NY: Nassau: H1759490000 Suffolk: 16183-H NY/Rockland: 5642 Honest and Reliable, 30+ years experience. Local Collector/Seller (Westchester/Putnam) Call or text: 917-699-2496 • email: [email protected] Hope to hear from you! Thanks! BUYING COMIC BOOK COLLECTIONS! TOP PRICES PAID! Visit Our Display Center at 747 Pierce Road, Clifton Park, NY, 12065 • Sales • Rentals • Service • Buybacks Same Day Installation New and Reconditioned Lifts Locally Owned & Operated Regain Your Independence! $ 200 OFF the purchase of any stairlift One Marina Drive, Lake Mahopac NY 845-628-2333 www.macdonaldmarineny.net SALES • SERVICE • STORAGE
PAGE 20 – MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2023 LEGAL NOTICE OF ESTOPPEL The bond resolution, a summary of which is published herewith, has been adopted on July 5, 2023, and the validity of the obligations authorized by such resolution may be hereafter contested only if such obligations were authorized for an object or purpose for which the Town of Carmel, Putnam County, New York, is not authorized to expend money, or if the provisions of law which should have been complied with as of the date of publication of this notice were not substantially complied with, and an action, suit or proceeding contesting such validity is commenced within twenty days after the date of publication of this notice, or such obligations were authorized in violation of the provisions of the Constitution. A complete copy of the resolution summarized herewith is available for public inspection during regular business hours at the Office of the Town Clerk for a period of twenty days from the date of publication of this Notice. Dated: Mahopac, New York, July 6, 2023. /s/Ann Spofford Town Clerk BOND RESOLUTION DATED JULY 5, 2023. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF AN ADDITIONAL $900,000 BONDS OF THE TOWN OF CARMEL, PUTNAM COUNTY, NEW YORK, TO PAY PART OF THE COST OF THE INCREASE AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE FACILITIES OF THE CARMEL WATER DISTRICTS NOS. 1, 2, 8, 10 AND 13 IN AND FOR SAID TOWN. Class of objects or purposes: Increase and improvement of the facilities of the Carmel Water Districts Nos. 1, 2, 8, 10 and 13 Period of probable usefulness: 40 years Obligations previously authorized: $4,933,890 Amount of additional obligations to be issued: Additional $900,000 bonds New maximum estimated cost: $5,833,890 SEQRA status: Type II Action. 6 NYCRR Part 617.5(c) (2) LEGAL NOTICE OF ESTOPPEL The bond resolution, a summary of which is published herewith, has been adopted on July 5, 2023, and the validity of the obligations authorized by such resolution may be hereafter contested only if such obligations were authorized for an object or purpose for which the Town of Carmel, Putnam County, New York, is not authorized to expend money, or if the provisions of law which should have been complied with as of the date of publication of this notice were not substantially complied with, and an action, suit or proceeding contesting such validity is commenced within twenty days after the date of publication of this notice, or such obligations were authorized in violation of the provisions of the Constitution. A complete copy of the resolution summarized herewith is available for public inspection during regular business hours at the Office of the Town Clerk for a period of twenty days from the date of publication of this Notice. Dated: Mahopac, New York, July 6, 2023. /s/Ann Spofford Town Clerk BOND RESOLUTION DATED JULY 5, 2023. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF AN ADDITIONAL $300,000 BONDS OF THE TOWN OF CARMEL, PUTNAM COUNTY, NEW YORK, TO PAY PART OF THE COST OF THE INCREASE AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE FACILITIES OF THE LAKE MAHOPAC PARK DISTRICT IN AND FOR SAID TOWN. Specific object or purpose: Increase and improvement of the facilities of the Lake Mahopac Park District (Dam improvements) Period of probable usefulness: 30 years New maximum estimated cost: $475,000 Obligations previously authorized: $100,000 (8/26/2020); $75,000 (4/20/22) Amount of additional obligations to be issued: Additional $300,000 bonds SEQRA status: Type II Action FINANCING AVAILABLE WITH APPROVED CREDIT Call today and receive a FREE SHOWER PACKAGE PLUS $1600 OFF With purchase of a new Safe Step Walk-In Tub. Not applicable with any previous walk-in tub purchase. Offer available while supplies last. No cash value. Must present offer at time of purchase. CSLB 1082165 NSCB 0082999 0083445 1-855-916-5473 NEW YORK HOMEOWNERS: HELP IS AVAILABLE EVEN IF YOU COULD PAY CASH ROOFING | SIDING | WINDOWS | DOORS & MORE! Approved applications will have the work completed by a quality repair crew provided by: HOMEOWNER FUNDING. Not affiliated with State or Gov Programs. Contractor License: NY: #2719-h14 888-254-6006 or visit NYProgramFunding.net NEED HELP WITH EXPENSIVE REPAIRS? WE MATCH YOU WITH FUNDING YOU CAN AFFORD. ...but it won’t last! Enrollment is only open during a limited time. Programs, appointments, and installations are first come, first serve. ACT NOW! Next Phase Home Inspection LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 5/3/2023. Cty: Putnam. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to John Delvino, 47 Red Mills Rd., Mahopac, NY 10541. General Purpose Hyelight Coaching LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 4/17/2023. Cty: Putnam. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to Registered Agent Solutions, Inc., 99 Washington Ave., Ste. 700, Albany, NY 12260. General Purpose 207-209 Turk Hill LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 11/1/2022. Cty: Putnam. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 262 Drake Ave., unit 4, New Rochelle, NY 10805.. General Purpose Kareal Holdings LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 5/23/2023. Cty: Putnam. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 24 Jackson Rd., Mahopac, NY 10541. General Purpose LEGAL NOTICES 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 Mahopac News 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 mahopacnews@ halstonmedia.com. For more information, call the editor at 845-208-0774. Contact Us Mahopac News is located at 118 N. Bedford Road, Suite 100, Mount Kisco, NY 10549. You can contact us at 845-208- 0774 or email mahopacnews@ halstonmedia.com. Share Your Milestones Let your neighbors know about the special moments in your life, whether it’s a birth, engagement, wedding or anniversary. Send us a photo and announcement at mahopacnews@halstonmedia. com or mail it to Mahopac News, 118 N. Bedford Road, Suite 100, Mount Kisco, NY 10549. There is no charge for this announcement. Send a self-addressed stamped envelope if you’d like your photo returned.
THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2023 MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 21 Notice of Formation of Kamaru Clothing LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2023- 06-15. Office location: Putnam County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Kate Ruffalo: 161 Croton Falls Road Mahopac NY 10541. Purpose: Any lawful purpose NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY Notice of Formation of A&R 360, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with SSNY on 2023-02-06. Office location: Putnam County. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to Adam Bernier: 90 McManus Rd S, Patterson, NY 12563. Purpose: any lawful Notice of Formation of Frog Hill at Garrison LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with NY Dept. of State: 6/22/2023. Office location: Putnam County. Sec. of State designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: 100 Travis Corners Rd., Garrison, NY 10524, principal business address. Term: until 12/31/2073. Purpose: all lawful purposes. Notice of Formation of Scrumdiddlyumptious LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2023-02-24. Office location: Putnam County. SSNY designated as agent of upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Legalzoom: 7014 13th Avenue Suite 202 Brooklyn NY 11228. Purpose: Any lawful purpose Notice of Formation of Griffin Homes LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2023- 04-16. Office location: Putnam County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Griffin Homes LLC: 332 Rockledge Road Mahopac NY 10541. Purpose: Any lawful purpose Notice of Formation of B&E Gilley LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2023-04-05. Office location: Putnam County. SSNY designated as agent of upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Republic Registered Agent Services Inc: 1434 Western Ave Ste 1 Albany NY 12203. Purpose: Any lawful purpose Securities offered through Cantella & Co., Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Cantella and Co., Inc. does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction. 845-628-5400 SFGtaxes.com | [email protected] 824 Route 6, Suite 4 | Mahopac, NY 10541 from other accountants and tax preparers is our ability to work with you not just on taxes, but on financials, college planning, divorce, retirement planning, changes in life planning... We don’t just process tax forms, we advise on how to handle your income and expenses in the future with personalized recommendations. We help you navigate the tax code, and in the end, help you set sound financial goals. What separates us have never been on that road, especially on a dark and rainy night, it is pretty treacherous.” Franz said with all the commotion of the evening and his adrenaline pumping, the enormity of what had just transpired didn’t hit him right away. “I really didn’t think about it till the next morning,” he said. “I have received so many awards and accolades for a split-second act. The support has been overwhelming, and to be still getting acknowledgment more than a year later feels surreal.” Franz, 33, joined the DEC police force in May 2019. “My father was an outdoorsman and raised us with the values and inspiration to enjoy fishing and hiking and the great outdoors,” he said. “I always wanted to be in law enforcement, and this is the perfect job to combine both my passions.” Franz said after his police academy graduation ceremony he made a touching discovery. “At my graduation ceremony, my father broke down in tears and said this [becoming a DEC police officer] was his lifelong dream job,” he said. “To get that job without ever knowing that it was also my father’s dream job was pretty incredible.” At the board meeting, Franz also received proclamations acknowledging his heroics from the Town Board and County Legislature. “This was just an amazing feat, and this proclamation is for these valiant and courageous actions,” said Town Supervisor Mike Cazzari. FRANZ FROM PAGE 7 PHOTO COURTESY OF KATHERINE SCHAEFFER Congressman Mike Lawler, left, presents DEC police officer Daniel Franz with the Carnegie Medal as Town Supervisor Mike Cazzari, right, looks on. Advertising Deadline The advertising deadline for Mahopac News is the Thursday before the next publication date. Advertisements can be submitted by you as a camera-ready PDF via email at freeman@halstonmedia. com. We also offer our clients a free ad design service. For more information, call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151.
PAGE 22 – MAHOPAC NEWS CLASSIFIEDS THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2023 ORDER ON OUR ONLINE STORE AND PICKUP LO CALLY! BEST PRICES IN THE AREA! PICKUP HOURS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY! www.american-arms.com [email protected] 1928 Commerce St, Suite C Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 NRA Basic Pistol/Personal Protection UTAH Concealed Firearms Course Private Lessons Permit Assistance Refuse To Be A Victim™ Group and Private Classes Gun Sales & Ammunition Gun Accessories FFL Services & Transfers 914-455-4210 One touch of a button sends help fast, 24/7. alone I’m never Life Alert® is always here for me. I’ve fallen and I can’t get up! ® Help at Home with GPS! Help On-the-Go For a FREE brochure call: 1-800-404-9776 Saving a Life EVERY 11 MINUTES Batteries Never Need Charging. ON YOUR INSTALLATION 60% OFF Limited Time Offer! SAVE! TAKE AN ADDITIONAL Additional savings for military, health workers and fi rst responders 10% OFF New orders only. Does not include material costs. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Minimum purchase required. Other restrictions may apply. This is an advertisement placed on behalf of Erie Construction Mid-West, Inc (“Erie”). Offer terms and conditions may apply and the offer may not available in your area. If you call the number provided, you consent to being contacted by telephone, SMS text message, email, pre-recorded messages by Erie or its affiliates and service providers using automated technologies notwithstanding if you are on a DO NOT CALL list or register. Please review our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use on homeservicescompliance.com. All rights reserved. License numbers available at eriemetalroofs.com/licenses/ MADE IN THE U.S.A. New orders only. Does not include material costs. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Minimum purchase required. Other restrictions may apply. This is an advertisement placed on behalf of Erie Construction Mid-West, Inc (“Erie”). 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Approved applications will have the work completed by a repair crew provided by: HOMEOWNER FUNDING. Not affiliated with State or Gov Programs. Use ItchNoMore® shampoo on dogs & cats to relieve secondary dermatits, treat yeast infections, & eliminate doggy odor. At Tractor Supply® (www.happyjackinc.com) BEST SATELLITE TV with 2 Year Price Guarantee! $59.99/mo with 190 channels and 3 months freepremium movie channels! Free next day installation! Call 888-508-5313 DISH TV $64.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo Expires 1/31/24. 1-866-595-6967 DIRECTV. New 2-Year Price Guarantee. The most live MLB games this season, 200+ channels and over 45,000 on-demand titles. $84.99/mo for 24 months with CHOICE Package. Some restrictions apply. 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THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2023 BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 23 For today, retirement and every moment in between. Michael A. Bucci Financial Advisor Tier 4 Planning A financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. 203.302.6744 41 W. Putnam Ave. Greenwich, CT 06830 [email protected] Tier4planning.com CA Insurance #0M83870 The Confident Retirement approach is not a guarantee of future financial results. The initial Confident Retirement conversation provides an overview of financial planning concepts. You will not receive written analysis and/or recommendations. Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC., a registered investment adviser. © 2020 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. (05/19) Confident Retirement approach Tier 4 planning isn’t about getting a new 403(b) or buying financial products. It’s about becoming educated and empowered around the events and decisions in your personal financial life. It’s about being prepared. Maybe it’s time. Call me today for your initial Confident Retirement conversation. Unfortunately, it has become more common for a child, grandchild or other loved ones to be diagnosed with autism, ADHD, bi-polar, schizophrenia, or for them to suffer from a variety of other diagnosed physical and/or mental disabilities that are severe and chronic. Because of this, the use of a Special Needs Trust (SNT) as a planning tool has become increasingly important and often necessary. When a parent, grandparent or other family member or friend wishes to provide for the needs of a disabled person in either his or her Last Will and Testament or in a Trust within a Last Will, or as a separate document, the vehicle that is most often prepared is a third party SNT. Use of the third party SNT allows the disabled person to continue to receive any federal or state aid and government benefits without the aid or benefits being impacted by the assets and/or income generated by the SNT. Additionally, because a third party SNT (unlike a self-settled SNT) is not funded with the assets of the disabled person (savings/recovery from a suit), but with the assets of a third party (parents/grandparents or others), the Estates Powers & Trusts Law provides that upon the death of the trust beneficiary, the trust assets can be distributed to anyone without the necessity of the trust assets being utilized to pay back the state or federal government for the dollar value of benefits provided to the disabled person. This rule does not apply to a trust funded with the assets of a disabled person (a first party SNT), which must provide for the payback of the benefits paid to the government entity. The assets of, or received by, a disabled person should never be used to fund a third party SNT. Additionally, the spouse of a disabled beneficiary or the parent of a minor disabled beneficiary cannot create and fund an inter-vivos SNT trust (one created during their lifetime) and get the protections provided by the Estates Powers & Trusts Law. This is because there are spousal and parental obligations of support to their spouse and/or minor child. However, the spouse or parent can fund and create a testamentary trust (one created in their Last Will and Testament) or an inter-vivos SNT, which is not funded until they are deceased. For example, their Last Will and Testament and/or Revocable or Irrevocable Trust provides for a distribution to the SNT upon their demise. A third party SNT can be testamentary, inter-vivos (created during life with the exceptions stated above), revocable and/or irrevocable. There is great flexibility in how the SNT can be drafted. The funds and income generated by the third party SNT can be used on behalf of the disabled individual to supplement and not supplant government benefits such as Medicaid and SSI (Supplemental Social Security Income). In essence, the trust assets can be used to cover expenses that are not intended to be provided for by Medicaid and/ or SSI. For example, they can be used to purchase a home for the beneficiary, provide for special therapies, wheelchairs, handicap accessible vans, recreational and cultural experiences (vacations, etc.). Payments made in the form of in-kind distributions for food or shelter will reduce SSI payments as they are considered unearned income. However, payments for goods and services other than food and shelter will not reduce SSI income. There is no limit to the amount that can be used to fund the SNT. Additionally, in spite of the restrictions imposed by statute and SSI regulations, third party SNTs generally give the Trustee(s) the power to make distributions to meet even the basic needs of the beneficiary (food, clothing, and shelter), even if it will diminish the receipt of government benefits. When considering an SNT for a loved one, it is important to thoroughly review the present and potential future needs of the disabled beneficiary. A thorough analysis by a qualified and experienced attorney who is familiar with the array of federal and state benefits that may be available is advisable. Anthony J. Enea is a member of Enea, Scanlan and Sirignano, LLP of White Plains. He focuses his practice on Wills, Trusts, Estates and Elder Law. Anthony is the Past Chair of the Elder Law and Special Needs Section of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA), and is the past Chair of the 50+ Section of the NYSBA. He is a Past President and Founding member of the New York Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). Anthony is also the Immediate Past President of the Westchester County Bar Foundation and a Past President of the Westchester County Bar Association. He can be reached at 914-948-1500 or at www. esslawfirm.com. Importance of a third-party SNT Benefit a disabled loved one without impacting government aid ANTHONY J. ENEA GUEST CORNER Lunch & Learn Series Held on the last Wednesday of each month, Lunch & Learn programs at Enea, Scanlan and Sirignano, LLP, shed light on a variety of important elder law and estate planning topics. The free educational program, held at the firm’s White Plains location, is open to the public – though space is limited. Those interested are encouraged to register early by calling 914-948-1500 to reserve their spot. A light lunch and refreshments are included. Future programs include: September 27 LLCs: The Pros, Cons and Estate Planning: For some, an LLC can be a useful tool to pass assets down to loved ones while avoiding or minimizing estate taxes. Discover if an LLC may be right for your estate planning needs as well as how they are used to reduce the risk of personal liability with rental properties. Presentation by Anthony J. Enea, Esq. & Michael P. Enea, Esq. October 25 Understanding the Implications of Gray Divorce: A divorce later in life often adds a level of complexity to the estate and tax plan process. Understand what potential complications may arise and how to address them – from division of assets and tax issues to estate and long-term care planning. Presented by Lauren C. Enea, Esq.
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