North Salem News 03.13.2025

VOL. 10 NO. 20 BALANCED ROCK 2 CLASSIFIEDS 19 LEGAL NOTICES 19 LEISURE 18 OPINION 12 SPORTS 16 Alan Menken Visits pg 3 LITTLE MERMAID Visit News.HalstonMedia.com for the latest news. MARCH 13, 2025 - MARCH 26, 2025 BUYING ONLY 845-628-0362 WE WILL COME TO YOU! 54 WE BUY: YEARS! Gold • Sterling Silver Jewelry • Coins Paintings • Bronzes Clocks • Collectibles Antiques • ETC. Items for sale? Call us! Change up North Salem approves baseball merger with Somers BY TOM WALOGORSKY EDITOR It might have come down to the bottom of the ninth, but now there is at least hope on the horizon for North Salem’s baseball players. After weeks of uncertainty, the Tigers will still have a chance to take the diamond this spring. But now, they will do so as Tuskers. In early February, the district made the decision to cancel the varsity season, citing the “level of experience of returning players and significant injuries for key players in the lineup.” Officials then mulled a merger with neighboring Somers High School, only to announce on Feb. 26 that they would not be pursing the collaboration in the interest of preserving the long-term viability of the North Salem baseball program, and North Salem athletics as a whole. The situation aroused confusion and anger among parents and players - past and present - who spoke out at a pair of well-attended Board of Education meetings last month. The players most directly impacted by the decision were Ryan Denneen and Alex Hoffman, a pair of juniors who played for the varsity team for the past two seasons. With no varsity option available in North Salem, Hoffman and Denneen were told they would have the option to suit up as part of the JV squad. Both players, along with their parents and other concerned community members voiced their disapproval for the district’s decision at the Feb. 26 Board of Education meeting. With a dark cloud hanging over the future of North Salem baseball, a ray of sunshine broke through on March 7 at a special meeting of the Board of Education where Superintendent Adam VanDerStuyf was authorized to sign the letter of intent to merge with Somers baseball. The decision came after registration numbers fell below the levels needed to field a JV team. North Salem will still offer a modified team for 7th and 8th graders for the upcoming season, and older Tiger players will now have the chance to try out for Somers’ freshman, JV, and varsity squads. In addition, VanDerStuyf will be recommending that varsity coaches Rob Gilchrist and Matt Mackenzie join modified coach Skyler Ohrvall to help focus on growing and rebuilding the program.

PAGE 2 – NORTH SALEM NEWS North Salem News USPS #22110 Published Twice Monthly (Except for 3x Monthly in September and October). 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ©2025 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC The Staff EDITORIAL TEAM Tom Walogorsky Editor: 914-302-5830 [email protected] ADVERTISING TEAM Paul Forhan (914) 806-3951 [email protected] Bruce Heller (914) 486-7608 [email protected] Lisa Kain (201) 317-1139 [email protected] Corinne Stanton (914) 760-7009 [email protected] Jay Gussak (914) 299-4541 [email protected] Pam Zacotinsky (845) 661-0748 [email protected] PRODUCTION TEAM Tabitha Pearson Marshall Creative Director/Photographer [email protected] DESIGNERS Bri Agosta Noah Elder Cara Formisano EXECUTIVE TEAM Brett Freeman CEO & Publisher 845-208-8151 [email protected] Deadlines North Salem News Deadline The deadline for advertisements and editorial submissions for North Salem News is the Thursday before the next publication date. For more information, call Tom Walogorsky at 914-302-5830 or email [email protected] Online Follow Us Periodicals Postage Paid at Somers, NY and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to North Salem News at 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 LOCATIONS: Baldwin Place • 44 Route 118 • (845) 628-7900 Croton Falls • 1 Center St • (914) 769-3206 Find out why Joe Ferone of Proper Service needs to be YOUR Go-To Automotive Service Center! YOUR FAMILY CAR CARE CENTER For over 100 years of combined auto experience, Joe Ferone and his sta of Proper Service have been serving the community, creating relationships and building a remarkable company with an amazing team JOE FERONE, owner of employees! BALANCED ROCK MARCH 13, 2025 - MARCH 26, 2025 North Salem Open Land Foundation and Animal Embassy present ‘Life on the Edge’ On Saturday, March 22, the community is invited to join the North Salem Open Land Foundation and Animal Embassy to explore how human actions threaten delicate ecosystems and wildlife. There will be a discussion of habitat loss, the exotic pet trade, and the impacts of introduced and invasive species. This family-friendly event is perfect for children in grades kindergarten and up, offering the chance to interact with live animal ambassadors including the Solomon Islands Monkey-Tailed Skink, South American Chinchillas, and a large Green Iguana. It’s a fun and educational way to learn about the balance between humans and nature! To be held at the North Salem Community Center at 3 Owens Road in Croton Falls on March 22 from 1 to 2 p.m. Members attend for free! Non-member tickets are $10- $15.  Visit www.nsolf.org for registration information. Westchester County Shredding Truck Friday, April 4, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. To be held in the North Salem Town Court/police station parking lot at 66 June Road. The following guidelines must be adhered to in order to utilize the Mobile Shredder Program: Documents should not be placed in plastic bags, but should be in boxes and/or paper bags. All binder clips, large paper clips, three-ring binders, metal of any kind, plastic covers, plastic bags, or any other non-paper material should be removed prior to shredding. These materials can cause damage to the shredding equipment and can also cause dangerous fires in the trucks. Your cooperation in removing these materials prior to shredding is appreciated. Please be mindful to observe all posted signage and directions from staff. DEF may stop shredder services if these guidelines are not followed. Limit of 4 file boxes. Town of North Salem www.northsalemny.org Town Board Meetings The North Salem Town Board will hold their regular meetings on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 7 p.m. at the Town Meeting Hall, 66 June Road, and via Zoom as allowed by New York State.  All meetings are subject to rescheduling upon adequate notice, as circumstances require. CoveCare Center Community Bowling Day Sunday, March 16, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Let’s strike up some fun! Join in for an afternoon of bowling to benefit the programs and services of CoveCare Center. They hope you can spare some time for an amazing cause! To be held at Spins Bowl Carmel. Maximum of 6 players per lane, includes shoe rentals. Sponsorship opportunities available! To register, sponsor or donate, visit www.covecarecenter.org/communitybowling-day-2025 For more information, email [email protected]

MARCH 13, 2025 - MARCH 26, 2025 NORTH SALEM NEWS – PAGE 3 Menken with director Katie Chan Chee Menken with senior Matthew Graham Under the sea! Local legend surprises the cast of “The Little Mermaid” Imagine rehearsing a musical and looking up to see the legendary composer of the very songs you’re performing sitting in the audience. That’s exactly what happened to the North Salem Middle/High School students of “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” during their Saturday rehearsal when North Salem resident Alan Menken, the EGOT-winning composer and conductor, joined them to hear them perform the songs he wrote. The students’ dreams swam into reality when Menken himself watched them bring his iconic music to life under the direction of Katie Chan Chee. When the cast performed “Under the Sea,” Menken was visibly moved, reflecting on the song’s origins with his late collaborator Howard Ashman. Passionate young performers performing the same song that won his first Oscar brought tears to the composer’s eyes. The cast captivated Menken during their performance. He praised the students’ singing, choreography, and costumes, and shared stories about Disney and Broadway from his long career. His visit elevated the production, creating a meaningful moment of artistic connection and inspiring a new generation of performers. Article courtesy of North Salem Central School District. Alan Menken with the cast of “The Little Mermaid” / PHOTOS COURTESY OF NSCSD

PAGE 4 – NORTH SALEM NEWS Contact ANTHONY J. ENEA, ESQ. MANAGING PARTNER • 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 18 consecutive years CALL NEW YORK’S ELDER LAW TEAM 914.948.1500 When did you last update your last will and testament and power of attorney? MARCH 13, 2025 - MARCH 26, 2025 A rendering of the new MS/HS lobby. / PHOTOS COURTESY OF NSCSD A rendering of the PQ library. Building North Salem’s future Plan modernizes schools while addressing critical needs The North Salem Central School District unveiled a comprehensive capital improvement plan at the Feb. 26 Board of Education meeting. The proposal addresses aging infrastructure while transforming underutilized spaces into modern learning environments across all district facilities. The $24.51 million bond proposal represents more than a year of careful analysis and planning by the district’s Facilities Committee, which conducted thorough assessments of both school buildings and the bus garage. Their work began after the 2023 statemandated Building Condition Survey identified 300 areas requiring attention, many involving original building systems that have reached the end of their useful lives. The facilities plan reflects a balanced approach, focusing on three core principles: creating healthy, relevant learning environments, protecting the community’s investment in school infrastructure, and making financially responsible decisions that benefit all stakeholders. The most visible change would be a new entrance facade at the Middle School/High School, enhancing security and the building’s overall appearance. The lobby will be transformed with new seating and workspace areas. The middle school commons will be reimagined with new lighting, ceilings, floors, and, most notably, flexible seating to provide adaptable learning spaces for students and classes. An unused balcony above the main entrance will be enclosed for additional conference and workspaces. The library renovation will provide students with flexible seating options alongside quiet meeting and study spaces to create collaborative learning zones. The driveway and parking lots will be upgraded and redesigned to improve student driver safety and parking capacity. Critical infrastructure improvements include the building roof and electrical systems. Classroom air ventilators will also be repaired or replaced to improve classroom air quality and energy efficiency. At Pequenakonck Elementary School, the plan addresses fundamental infrastructure needs while creating more adaptable learning environments. Original windows will be replaced, and heating and ventilation systems will be updated to improve air quality and energy efficiency. Additional areas selected for repairs and upgrades include the campus driveway, exterior drainage, and the roof. The enhanced library will provide SEE SCHOOLS PAGE 9 A rendering of proposed improvements to the school library.

BY CAROL REIF STAFF WRITER The North Salem Board of Education has gotten its first peek at the school district’s proposed $52,377,964 million budget for 2025-2026. Literacy programs, student support systems, and district operations were among the top areas highlighted in an overview presented by Superintendent Dr. Adam VanDerStuyf at the board’s Feb. 26 meeting. Filling in the details were Lindsay Eidel, assistant superintendent of business and operations; Vincent DiGrandi, principal of the middle/high school; and Dr. Roy Martin, principal of Pequenakonck Elementary School, aka PQ. Costs in the literacy area involve supplies, material, and professional development for Wit & Wisdom, a comprehensive English Language Arts program that builds reading and critical thinking skills, and Arts & Letters, a program that’s currently being piloted in the 6th grade and will be, VanDerStuyf said, “fully rolled out” next year. Also proposed is the addition of an MTSS (Multi-Tiered Student Support) coordinator and the discontinuation of FLES (Foreign Language in the Elementary School) at PQ. “It’s really just a reallocation of a FTE (full-time equivalent) (position),” Martin explained. The MTSS coordinator will lead and develop Academic Intervention Services (AIS) staff and programing and oversee AIS processes and procedures, lead and manage Teaching Assistants who provide targeted intervention, support teachers with using data to create student goals, develop interventions, and progress monitor student growth, oversee student data and support EduClimber implementation, coach instructional practices, lead education support team meetings, and support classroom teachers with academic and behavioral interventions. The intent, Martin said, is to have someone “who can oversee a lot of the goals and programs that we’re putting into place.” “We have lots of new reading and math interventions coming into place. There are practices we are asking people to pick up. We are identifying students differently for MTSS so we really need a person in there who’s going to be boots on the ground,” he explained. “Being in classrooms, making sure that interventions are happening the way they should,” is a big part of it, Martin added. VanDerStuyf noted that there were two sections of FLES (with two teachers) in the 2023-2024 school year. This year, the district “scaled back” to one teacher. New Assistant Principal? The budget creators are also calling for the addition of a second assistant principal at the middle/high school. This will allow, he said, DeGrandi and Assistant Principal Dr. Kathleen Murphy to each focus on certain aspects of “instructional leadership,” a topic that came up both during “Community Conversations” – events held by the district to engage parents, teachers, staff, students, and residents in its strategic planning – and at the school board level. According to DiGrandi’s presentation, the second assistant principal’s boots on the ground roles and responsibilities could include: creating and leading “restorative practices” work, assisting with Dignity for All Students (DASA) and Title IX investigations, making Anonymous Alerts and threat/safety assessments, handling attendance/tardy issues, overseeing student data, and supporting EduClimber -- an interactive district-level to whole-child data management that strengthens multi-tiered support system (MTSS) implementations, including student need identification and intervention effectiveness. They could also assist with academic and instructional practices and help classroom teachers with behavioral interventions. The position will be for 10 months MARCH 13, 2025 - MARCH 26, 2025 NORTH SALEM NEWS – PAGE 5 Meredith Dutra / PHOTO COURTESY OF NSCSD Board of Ed examines proposed budget Dutra appointed director of technology and innovation SEE BUDGET PAGE 9 Showroom - 3 Lovell Street • Somers, N.Y. Call 914-248-5800 * Financing for qualified buyers, on select purchases. See sales associate for assistance. HOURS: MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY 9AM-6PM, THURSDAY 9AM-8PM, SATURDAY 9AM-5PM, CLOSED SUNDAY www.appliancesalesplus.com Do you know the owners of any Big Box Stores? Likely not, but you know this person! The owner of Appliance Sales Plus, Karl Thimm! Karl and his appliance team are your local source right in your neighborhood for appliances, mattresses and more! Don’t make your next purchase from strangers or companies on the other side of the country! SHOP LOCAL AND SAVE! PRE-SEASON GRILL SALE! 12 Months Financing Available Ask for details. Spring is Coming! WEBER GRILLS RIGHT HERE! BUY NOW! We Have The Full Line of 2025 Weber Grills, Including Gas, Pellet, Griddle, Charcoal, Electric, Smokers and More! * Ask for details Delivery and Assembly Available!*

PAGE 6 – NORTH SALEM NEWS MARCH MADNESS FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED CALL TODAY (914) 455-2158 WWW.SPIRELLIELECTRIC.COM [email protected] • LANDSCAPE LIGHTING • POOL WIRING • EV CHARGERS • RING CAMERA LIGHTS • OUTDOOR RECEPTACLES • GENERATOR • TROUBLESHOOTING ALL YOUR ELECTRICAL NEEDS! LICENSED & INSURED RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL $50 OFF YOUR NEXT SERVICE CALL WHEN YOU PRESENT THIS AD Professional Care For Your Home Including: HOME WATCH • KEY-HOLDER CONCIERGE • HANDYMAN ~ Certified, Bonded, Insured ~ 914-763-5671 [email protected] Scan here for more info! MARCH 13, 2025 - MARCH 26, 2025 Bird flu outbreak reported at Lewisboro animal sanctuary BY CAROL REIF STAFF WRITER About 60 birds have either died or been euthanized after an outbreak of avian flu at an animal rescue and rehabilitation facility in Lewisboro. County health officials reported that Animal Nation’s farm sanctuary in the hamlet of South Salem has been closed to the public since the fall and that there is no risk to the general public. The nonprofit organization isn’t allowing any visitors onsite and has suspended volunteer duties. Only essential staff – wearing proper personal protective gear – are caring for the animals at present. That leaves about five people to handle all the caretaking duties. There usually about 55 people. “Every day is very busy. We’re all really tired and really sad,” said Animal Nation’s president and executive director, Patrick Moore. The county is monitoring the situation and supporting any staff member or other person who may have been exposed to the H5N1 virus. They will be tested if they become symptomatic. In a post on its Facebook page, Animal Nation said it was “sadly announcing (that) our farm sanctuary in Westchester County has been exposed to Avian Influenza (H5N1) like many other facilities.” It said it had taken numerous steps to protect the farm and that it’s probable that the birds had been exposed to infected wild birds, most likely Canada geese. The board of directors “acted swiftly once signs arose.” “It started out kind of slow and then, boom, rapid fire,” Moore said, adding that because they were already taking precautions, they were able to catch it quickly. The state Department of Agriculture was contacted for assistance and birds were tested the same day. The results were positive. Because of the outbreak, the sanctuary was placed on “strict quarantine” for at least 120 days. “This means no animal will enter or leave the property” and that only essential staff will be caring for the animals. Animal Nation is working closely with the state Department of Agriculture and the Westchester Department of Health and will “continue to assist wildlife at a separate location” through the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, it said. Saying that it appreciated the county and the state’s assistance, Animal Nation also noted that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and other health experts have “stated (that) the transmission of Avian Flu to humans is rare and of low incidence.” H5N1 is widespread in wild birds worldwide and is causing outbreaks in domestic birds and dairy cattle in the U.S. Raptors, waterfowl, and other aquatic birds have the highest risk for infection. Wild mammals such as fox and coyote that scavenge on bird carcasses are also at risk. Earlier this month, close to a dozen Canada geese found dead in a town park in Mount Pleasant tested positive for bird flu. In January, the body of another of the ubiquitous waterfowl was discovered at Green Chimneys, a farm and wildlife center in Brewster in Putnam County. It too tested positive. Another case was identified in a deceased Canada goose in New City in Rockland County. Bird flu killed 50 chickens and ducks on a farm in Ulster County. And a commercial duck farm -- the last of its kind on Long Island – was forced to euthanize more than 100,000 of the animals after bird flu was detected. Education is Key Westchester County Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler continues to emphasize the importance of remaining vigilant and told folks that the best way to be protected “is to avoid contact with any sick or dying animals.” Health officials advise anyone who’s found a dead bird to follow state DEC guidelines for its safe disposal. They should wear disposable gloves, a mask, and eye protection and avoid direct contact with the animal and its fluids. They need to keep children and pets away, use a shovel, and use soap and hot water to wash their hands and clothing immediately afterward. The carcass should be triple bagged in garbage or contractor bags and placed in an outdoor trash bin. Cases where multiple dead birds have been found in a single location should be reported to the DEC. Animal Nation, like other rescue and rehab groups, has been overwhelmed with reports from concerned citizens as well as police and governmental agencies about everything from dead swans and geese to ducks and songbirds. (Whether all, or any of, these have been proven to be due to avian flu is unknown.) “This isn’t something that we’re used to,” Moore said of the volume of calls recently. The goal is to educate without unduly alarming anyone. All it can do is refer them back to the state DEC protocols. “We’re all trying to do the best we can,” Moore said. Symptoms Avian flu disease can present in a number of ways. These range from no or mild symptoms to moderate and severe -- and sometimes fatal -- ones. Mild signs and symptoms may include eye redness and irritation (conjunctivitis) -- the most predominant among U.S. cases; mild fever (a temperature of 100 F or feeling “feverish.” Fever may not always be present), cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, and fatigue. Less common symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Signs and symptoms of moderate to severe disease are high fever, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, altered consciousness, and seizures. Grateful for Support Animal Nation said it’s been heartened by the “outpouring of love and support” from the community, volunteers, essential workers, and government agencies it’s gotten since its announcement in February. Still, these are stressful times. “When you’re living this it’s beyond sad, it’s scary,” Moore said.

NORTH SALEM NEWS – PAGE 7 845.628.3924 • beeandjay.com Over 60 Years of Excellence CALL TODAY FOR A FREE ESTIMATE Softening. Filtering. Clean Water Solution. March into $pring $avings! $150 OFF INSTALLATION OF A SOFTENER 845-279-9555 • TankRemovalServices.com Before you place your home on the market, contact ENVIROSTAR about replacing your aging underground storage tank (UST). It is required by most insurance companies prior to insuring property. We replace above ground tanks as well! Call us today for a free estimate and evaluation of your current above ground tank. SPRING SPECIAL! $100 OFF ANY PROJECT OVER $2,500.00 With this coupon only. Coupon must be presented at the time of the estimate. Not to be combined with any other offers. Expires 4/30/25. 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! MARCH 13, 2025 - MARCH 26, 2025 Hundreds gathered in Kirby Plaza to speak out about health benefits. / PHOTO: CAROL REIF Taking it to the streets Protestors speak out about Medicaid, Musk SEE PROTESTS PAGE 8 BY CAROL REIF STAFF WRITER Hundreds of people took to the streets in Mount Kisco recently to protest what they see as a direct attack on vital health care benefits. About 250 people crowded into Kirby Plaza on a blustery Saturday to denounce U.S. Representative  Mike Lawler, who represents New York’s 17th Congressional District, for voting in late February for the House Republicans’ budget resolution that they claim will ultimately put Medicaid funding on the chopping block. The March 1 rally was put together by “Fight Lawler,” a group cofounded by Ann Starer of Scarsdale and  Maureen Morrissey  of Mount Kisco. Speaking were Starer, an attorney; Dee Volz, a 102-year-old Peekskill resident; Joe Mayhew, legislative/political coordinator for the Communication Workers of America Local 1103; tenant advocate and local Democratic Party leader  Jessica Martinez of Peekskill; Beth Davidson, a Rockland County legislator who is hoping to oust Lawler; and  Kevin McAvey, a health data strategist. State Assemblywoman and former Ossining town supervisor Dana Levenberg (D-95th AD) was unable to attend but sent along a written statement. Lawler Explains Following the Feb. 25 vote on the budget resolution, Lawler offered an explanation via Instagram. It starts with the process of negotiating a reconciliation bill and focuses on “several key provisions including securing our border, strengthening our military, reining in the size and scope of the federal government, and providing tax relief to millions of hardworking middle-class families,” he said. Lawler said in the video one of his top priorities has been to lift the cap on SALT (State And Local Tax) deductions. “This bill will allow us to do that,” he said, hitting back against opponents. “Democrats will tell you that it’s going to cut Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and take away your health care. They’re lying and nothing can be further from the truth,” Lawler said, promising to “stand up against efforts” to cut vital programs or take away benefits. “It’s very clear, with $36 trillion in debt and a $7 trillion budget we have to rein in the size and scope of government,” he added. In his Instagram post, Lawler vowed that he and his colleagues in Washington will “root out waste, fraud, and abuse wherever it exists within every agency and department as we work to right size the federal government, reduce the cost of living, bring down inflation and the cost of goods and services with it, and provide real and immediate tax relief to you and your families.” Promising to keep constituents “updated as the process unfolds,” he referred to the budget resolution vote as “just a first step in the long negotiation ahead.” According to political experts, “reconciliation” is a legislative process that limits debate time and suspends the Senate’s filibuster rule. This would allow a bill to pass the chamber with a simple majority of 51, rather than the usual 60, votes. Republicans are in control of the House and Senate, meaning they can deploy “reconciliation” to pass bills without any support from Democrats.” Committees are now drafting legislative language reflecting the

PAGE 8 – NORTH SALEM NEWS Community Bulletin Board REVERSE MORTGAGES IS IT THE RIGHT CHOICE? Get the Facts from a local Certified Reverse Mortgage Professional (CRMP) Mario L. Martirano 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE! Call today for more information and free analysis (914)420-1950 [email protected] Mario L. Martirano NMLS#64064 CORP NMLS #115981 1st 2nd Mortgage Company of N.J., Inc. is a Licensed Mortgage Lender, California Department of Corporations, 6038898; Connecticut Department of Banking, Delaware State Bank Commissioner 024396; Florida Ofice of Financial Regulation, MLD553; Georgia Department of Banking and Finance 57630, Hawaii Division of Financial Institutions, HI-115981, HI-860725, HI-1055649; Maryland Commissioner of Financial Regulation, 19861; ML-115981; New Hampshire Banking Department, 18622-MB; New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, 8307281; New York Department of Financial Services, LMBC 110985; New York Department of Financial Services, B501000; North Carolina Ofice Commissioner of Banks #L-218587 ; Ohio Department of Commerce RM.805051.000; Oregon Division of Financial Regulation 115981, Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities, 39187; South Carolina Commissioner of Consumer Finance MLS-115981; Texas Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending, TEXAS MORTGAGE BANKER DISCLOSURE; Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions/ Virginia State Corporation Commission, MC2895; Washington Department of Financial Institution, CL-115981; Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, 115981BA. I DO REVERSE MORTGAGES 845-278-7312 ALL FUEL CO. The Shelley Family Home Heating Fuel 1606 Rte 22, Brewster • Burner Sales, Service & Installation • Tank Removal & Installation • Propane Available for Cooking & Heating Honest and Reliable, 30+ years experience. Local Collector/Seller Putnam/Westchester/Orange/Dutchess and more Call or text: 917-699-2496 • email: [email protected] Hope to hear from you! Thanks! BUYING COMIC BOOK COLLECTIONS! TOP PRICES PAID! INCREASE REFERRALS AND NAME RECOGNITION. Advertise in theNorth Salem News Bulletin Board and reach over 3,500 USPSdelivered mailing addresses every week. CALL 845-208-8151 TODAY! MARCH 13, 2025 - MARCH 26, 2025 PROTESTS FROM PAGE 7 budget resolution’s instructions. Voices Raised Lawler has broken his promise not to “vote for any bill that would cut even a penny of Medicaid,”  Starer charged. “Lawler, who tries to convince people he’s a moderate, one who works across the aisle, is banking on us to listen to what he says but not to notice what he does,” Starer said. “Without adequate health care, people will die.” She noted that there are more than 145,000 people in the 17th CD who rely on Medicaid, half of them children. Starer’s daughter was diagnosed with cancer at 17. “The only silver lining was that she had access to life-saving medical care,” she said. Other families with kids in the pediatric cancer ward at the time were on Medicaid, “without which they would have had absolutely nowhere to go.” Starer’s group plans to host a “Town Hall” this month to further address the situation. “This (budget) bill is a game changer and one that we can’t allow to take effect,” she said. Volz  is an active and engaged member of a senior living community in Peekskill thanks to her family’s help, plus financial support from her pension, Social Security, and Medicaid. “I’m so grateful for Medicaid. If it weren’t for Medicaid, I’d be lying down in the woods,” she said. Volz remembers “sitting around the radio every Saturday night to hear FDR originate Social Security.” “He said that none of us want to see our elderly neglected, ill, or poor,” she recalled, adding that everyone was thrilled and “proud of our nation for the move.” According to Mayhew, Medicaid cuts will affect everyone, regardless of whether they are receiving benefits. That’s because the program reimburses just 70 percent of the cost of care in New York state health facilities. It’s argued that this shortfall puts pressure on health care providers and contributes to inequities in the system. Cuts will cause those rates to drop, but the number of Medicaid patients will stay the same. Hospitals will have to lay off staff to make up the difference, Mayhew said. They will also have to increase charges to private insurers, meaning folks will face larger co-pays. Small and rural hospitals may have to cut services or close altogether, forcing people to go farther for care, Mayhew said, asking listeners to “imagine having a heart attack, being loaded in an ambulance, and instead of going a few minutes to your local hospital, you’re now traveling a few hours.” According to McAvey, the program covers 80 million Americans, including 7 million in New York and more than 150,000 in Westchester, Putnam, and Rockland counties, he said. Around since 1965, the joint state and federal program that provides insurance to “our lowest income seniors in nursing homes, children and parents, pregnant women, and the disabled,” he said. Cutting funding will raise prices, reduce services, and restrict access to health care not only for folks on Medicaid but all 19 million residents in the state, according to McAvey, who claimed he’d “never seen a more brazen example of the cruelty of our nation’s clouded conscious than the bill Mr. Lawler allowed to pass last week in Congress.” “Fight Lawler” said its aim is to not only thwart the congressman’s 2026 reelection bid but squash his other reported political goal – becoming New York’s next governor. Levenberg couldn’t make the rally but sent along a letter that Morrissey read to the crowd. Accusing Lawler of employing “a very dishonest strategy,” Levenberg claimed that he and House Republicans were “gaslighting” the public and “pretending the vote they just took has nothing to do with Medicaid.” The argument that the word “Medicaid” wasn’t mentioned in the resolution doesn’t hold water, in her opinion. “He knows that an instruction to cut $880 billion from areas in the purview of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce IS an instruction to cut Medicaid unless they are also planning to cut Medicare and lying about that too. There’s nothing else they could be cutting in that area that would add up to that amount of money. Even if they cut everything else , they would not come close to $880 billion. And that number did not come out of thin air,” she wrote. Musk Targeted The event was comparable, numbers-wise, to one held earlier in front of a Tesla dealership in Mount Kisco that drew about 300 demonstrators. That Feb. 22 protest was among a growing number of demonstrations targeting Tesla CEO Elon Musk, a senior adviser to President Trump and the de facto head of the Department of Government Efficiency. A Trump initiative, DOGE was established by executive order and is tasked with reducing federal spending. The administration argues that cuts are necessary to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse. Critics say, however, that they could undermine critical services such as Medicaid. Among the homemade placards were ones that read: “Honk if you don’t trust Musk,” and “No one voted for Musk,” “Musk owns Lawler,” and “Boycott Tesla.” It was put together by a coalition of organizations in Putnam and Westchester counties, including Indivisible Putnam Progressives. Media outlets have reported that federal campaign finance records showed that America PAC, a super PAC started by Musk, poured millions into key 2024 congressional races – such as Lawler’s and U.S. Rep. Tom Kean of New Jersey -- in a bid to preserve the House’s Republican majority. Lawler’s campaign received $1.4 million from the PAC, Starer said. When asked to comment on that, and on the Tesla protest in Mount Kisco, Lawler’s chief of staff, Nate Soule responded: “For your reference, Congressman Lawler has not been the direct  recipient of any funds from Elon Musk. No donations from Elon Musk to Mike’s campaign have been recorded by the FEC (Federal Election Commission) for the years of 2021-2025.” He declined to comment on the Tesla rally and later referred questions about the one held in Kirby Plaza to Lawler’s communication director, Ciro Riccardi. Riccardi sent the following statement to Halston Media on March 4. “Unfortunately, some in the media are trying to make Democrats protesting Republicans newsworthy -- it’s a disservice to journalism. Let me be clear: this bill has zero impact on access to health care or benefits for people who rely on Medicaid, Medicare, the VA, or Social Security.”  Why Tesla? One of the protesters at the Tesla even said they weren’t targeting individual businesses, but Musk himself. Tesla was founded in 2003 by  Martin Eberhard  and  Marc Tarpenning.  Musk became CEO in 2008.   An estimated one-third of his fortune consists of Tesla stock, according to Westfair Online. He’s become synonymous with the name. Dan Stoller, one of the organizers, told News 12 that people “are just fed up with what Musk’s doing ... sort of a quiet coup, or not so quiet.” Protestor  Julie Ruben  echoed that. “We are losing our democracy in this country,” she told a reporter, adding: “No one, as far as I know, voted for Elon Musk.” On Feb. 11, 120 people marched outside Carmel Town Hall in Putnam County, where Lawler’s regional office is located. Demonstrations decrying potential spending cuts to federal programs include one held at the courthouse in White Plains and one outside of Democratic Senate Minority Leader  Chuck Schumer’s Peekskill office.

NORTH SALEM NEWS – PAGE 9 4 Woods Bridge Road, Katonah • (914) 232-3033 www.clarkassociatesfuneralhome.com • [email protected] DANIEL B. McMANUS ~ Proprietor • BRUCE E. REISDORF ~ Licensed Manager JOSEPH M. McMANUS ~ Director • RONALD P. CERASO ~ Director • Only 1/4 mile from 684 exit 6. • Only 1 block from the Katonah Railroad Station. • Less than 60 minutes from N.Y. City. • Parking facilities for over 100 cars • Monuments & inscriptions available. FUNERAL PREARRANGEMENT Both pre-payment and no-payment options Serving all Faiths since 1858 • Cremations and Burials 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 MARCH 13, 2025 - MARCH 26, 2025 flexible learning spaces. The multipurpose room will be reimagined with an elevated platform, ideal for presentations, small groups, and community meetings. The district’s transportation fleet requires a reliable home base. The proposed garage improvements include driveway and paving upgrades alongside equipment modernization to ensure continued safe and dependable service for student transportation. The capital project proposal will be presented for community voting on May 20 as Proposition #2. This critical investment of $24.51 million has the potential to modernize North Salem’s school infrastructure to create a dynamic learning environment equipped to support our students for future success. Article courtesy of North Salem Central School District. SCHOOLS FROM PAGE 4 each year. In other words, the new assistant principal will not work during the summer break. Facilities and Technology Changes The plan also reflects the “reclassification” of both the director of facilities and director of technology posts. “For years, those two roles have been categorized budgetarily as consultants,” VanDerStuyf explained. Earlier this year, the district changed the director of facilities to a full-time administrative position. It hired Michael Grundig, who took over from consultant Dr. Joannes (John) Sieverding. Prior to coming to North Salem, he’d been the Yorktown Central School District’s maintenance foreperson and a HVAC technician before becoming its assistant director of facilities. Grundig attended Westchester Community College where he studied mechanical engineering and civil technology. He is married and the dad of two children. The board voted unanimously on Feb. 26 to appoint a full-time director of technology and innovation. Chosen for the post was Meredith Dutra, who is currently employed by Scarsdale Public Schools as an instructional technology specialist. Prior to that she was a K-12 STEM coordinator for the Carmel Central School District and had taught social studies and was a technology leader with the Somers Central School District. Dutra also was high school social studies teacher with the Clarkstown Central School District. Her first official day is April 21. Dutra earned her bachelor’s degree in history at the Ramapo College of New Jersey. She holds a master’s of education/ instructional technology from Pace University and a master’s of educational leadership and administration from Bank Street College of Education. She and her husband, Mike, have two children, Maddie and Wesley. VanDerStuyf drew the board’s attention to the fact that, while the changing over of the two positions from consulting to full-time will increase the budget’s salary line, it will also result in a decrease on the contractual end. Just the Numbers The preamble? Enrollment numbers. This year there are 940 students districtwide. That’s projected to rise slightly to 951 in 2025-2026. PQ’s enrollment, however, is expected to decrease to 441 from the current 446. The middle school’s will go up to 216 from 212 and the high school’s, from 282 to 294. Spending plans are always looked at first from a “fiscally conscious perspective,” so that they keep budget-to-budget expenses under control while meeting the needs of students and also matching “goals we can all support,” VanDerStuyf said. Dollarwise, the proposed $52,377,964 million budget for 2025-2026 represents a 3.64 percent increase over the current $50,536,389 million spending plan. The proposed tax levy of $44,598,468 – calculated by subtracting revenues from expenses – is to go up by 2.9 percent, the maximum allowed under the state tax cap. (Budgetary increases from 2021-2022 to 2025-2026 averaged 3.1 percent. The levy’s fiveyear average increase is 2.34 percent.) How exactly this will impact each individual property owner isn’t known at this point. The North Salem school district is somewhat unique in that it serves four towns, all of which have different tax rates, in two counties. VanDerStuyf pointed out that final assessment rolls don’t come out – and equalization rates aren’t set -- until the summer. The projected expenditures pie is sliced up into 11 different pieces, the biggest two of which are salaries (53.7 percent) and benefits (23.89 percent). From the highest on the list to the lowest are: BOCES (4.6 percent), debt service (4.68 percent), contractual/supplies (2.43 percent), transportation (0.89 percent), special education (4.47 percent), equipment (0.35 percent), technology (0.88 percent), transfer to special aid (0.27 percent), and facilities (3.81 percent). Besides the budget, stakeholders will be asked to vote in May on a $24.5 million districtwide capital project proposition. On the middle/high school list are: interior improvements or upgrades   to the library and quad areas, exterior paving and concrete, ventilation units/systems, roof, and lobby. Projects at PQ include renovating the library and multipurpose room, repairing exterior paving and concrete, upgrading roadway drainage, replacing exterior windows and window/roof flashings; restoring masonry, and upgrading heating systems. The bus garage would benefit too. Proposed are improvements to paving and concrete, a bus lift replacement (The district does the majority of its work on buses inhouse. A new lift will help keep its mechanics safe, VanDerStuyf said.), an interior floor drain replacement, and upgrades to the diesel and gasoline fueling stations. Three trustee seats are also up for grabs. They are currently held by Brandy Keenan, the board’s vice president, and trustees Deborah D’Agostino and Frances Havard. Budget Timeline A presentation on special education and pupil personnel and curriculum was set for Wednesday, March 12. On March 19, covered will be buildings, grounds, transportation, technology, and athletics. The budget recap will be presented on March 26. It will be adopted by the board on April 9. A public hearing is set for May 7 and the budget vote is May 20. BUDGET FROM PAGE 5

PAGE 10 NORTH SALEM NEWS – MARWINTER SPORTS SENDOFF! Congratulations to all of North Salem’s winter student-athletes for another fantastic season! Gabby Auricchio PHOTO: RICH MONETTI Abigail Lehr PHOTO: ROB DIANTONIO PHOTO: TOM WALOGORSKY Carlos Perez PHOTO: ROB DIANTONIO Michael Vilela PHOTO: TOM WALOGORSKY William Sauzo PHOTO: ROB DIANTONIO ZPT

CH 13, 2025 - MARCH 26, 2025 PAGE 11 Erika Saez / PHOTO: RICH MONETTI Ben Guiliano / PHOTO: RICH MONETTI Drew Karam / PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTH SALEM TRACK & FIELD Ismael Jamal PHOTO: RICH MONETTI Albert Brojaj PHOTO: RICH MONETTI Keely Aparicio PHOTO: TOM WALOGORSKY Matthew Graham PHOTO: RICH MONETTI Zoe Elias PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTH SALEM TRACK & FIELD

118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ©2025 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC Brett Freeman, Publisher Tom Walogorsky, Editor Tabitha Pearson Marshall, Creative Director Editorial Office: 914-302-5830 [email protected] 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 North Salem 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 opeds which cannot be verified or are anonymous will not be published. Please send your submissions to the editor by e-mail to [email protected]. For more information, call the editor at 914-302-5830. Opinion PAGE 12 – NORTH SALEM NEWS MARCH 13, 2025 - MARCH 26, 2025 Happily Ever After Quit kicking the can down the road Reform Social Security now or saddle our kids with a fiscal time bomb The ballooning debt may be the greatest existential threat to American life as we know it. It is, without question, an unacceptable burden to leave to our children and grandchildren. Sure, DOGE is finding waste and cost-cutting opportunities. But they’re small change relative to the problem. And the budget numbers being discussed now by Republican Congressional leaders will just continue to pile on more debt. It’s time that our nation’s leaders face our fiscal disaster and stop kicking the can down the road. We have amassed a $36 trillion debt, and it just keeps growing. The deficit for the 2024 fiscal year ending Sept. 30 was $1.8 trillion, despite low unemployment and solid economic growth. Back when I was born in 1949, federal government debt stood at $253 billion, and the budget was balanced, despite recession. When I reached 21 in 1970, the debt stood reasonably at $371 billion, up 47% in 21 years. When the first presidential Baby Boomer, Bill Clinton, reached the White House in 1993, the debt totaled $4.4 trillion, growing moderately to $5.7 trillion by the end of his 8-year tenure. Since then, though, it has exploded, growing over 700% in 24 years. Both parties’ leaders insist on a hands-off policy regarding Social Security and Medicare. To achieve any real fiscal progress, though, we shouldn’t categorize any expense areas as off-limits from scrutiny and reform, except unfortunately for the surging interest expense on debt that must be paid. Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, defense and interest, combined, accounted for 72% of total fiscal 2024 federal government spending, consuming all federal tax revenues. Without program changes, demographics and financial market realities will continue to drive those expense buckets up still further. KEN FREEMAN GUEST COLUMNIST SEE FREEMAN PAGE 13 ‘Show me your papers’ A dangerous demand with a dark history “First they came for the Communists, and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist…” On Feb. 18, in a highly unusual turn, a Westchester County Board of Legislators meeting made international news when Congressman Mike Lawler asked the board’s vice chair, Jose Alvarado, whether he was a citizen. Alvarado, who is Latino, asked what ID papers people like him should carry to protect themselves when confronted by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). His question reflected the real experiences and valid fears of our shared constituents. Still, some dismissed his question as a “political stunt.” The real stunt was Lawler’s tone-deaf reply, through which he hoped to belittle my colleague’s experience. As Americans, we cannot and must not normalize asking residents in our streets for their papers. As a Jew with family who survived the Holocaust, I understand that, even today, asking most Jews to show their “papers” to prove citizenship would provoke anger, outrage and fear. As a student of history, and a neighbor of our local Antioch Baptist Church, a historic Black church, I also know that for the African American community, the long shadow of having to provide “papers” in order to travel, to vote, or to do just about anything, has not yet left. As someone who advocates for the LGBTQ+ community, I know that issues regarding “papers” for our trans citizens are equally fraught, especially now. And, as someone who lives in and represents a community rich with Hispanic immigrants, I am acutely aware that our Hispanic residents, including our citizens, are living in fear. In this same moment, the “Powers that Be” in Washington, D.C. want to disenfranchise potentially millions of Americans by narrowing the list of acceptable “papers” needed to register to vote or even update their registration. For the vast majority of Americans, HR-22 or the socalled Save Act, would mean many, including married women and our veterans, who have risked their life to support our country, will be hard pressed to prove they belong. This “Save Act” purports to address illegal voting by non-citizens. You can visit the conservative Heritage Foundation’s website to see just how very little of that we ERIKA PIERCE GUEST COLUMNIST SEE PIERCE PAGE 14

OPINION NORTH SALEM NEWS – PAGE 13 FACTORY TRAINED SERVICE TECHNICIANS WE SERVICE ALL BRANDS OF COMMERCIAL & HOMEOWNER POWER EQUIPMENT EAST ROAD MOTORS 58 CAROLAN RD. EAST CARMEL, NY 10512 www.EASTROADMOTORS.com 845-225-3503 PICK-UP AND DELIVERY AVAILABLE email: [email protected] * LEAF BLOWERS * LAWN MOWERS * STRING TRIMMERS * CHAIN SAWS * SNOWBLOWERS * GENERATORS * QUADS * SNOWMOBILES SERVICE & REPAIR CHEVY HALSTON (B) 4.61”W X 6.05”H) Newburgh, NY RWHudsonValleyNY.com I-84 | Exit 36B I-87 | Exit 17 MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER TO PLAY THE NEW YORK LOTTERY GAMES. PLEASE PLAY RESPONSIBLY. 24-HOUR PROBLEM GAMING HOTLINE: 1-877-8-HOPENY (846-7369) UP WINTO 500 FREE SLOT PLAY ENTRIES TO WINNEW A NEW MEMBERS NEW MEMBERS Friday, March 28 • 10pm *Actual model and color may vary. MARCH 13, 2025 - MARCH 26, 2025 % of Fiscal 2024 Federal Government Expense Social Security - 20% Medicare - 16% Medicaid - 9% Since Social Security is the largest single government expense category, let’s take a hard look at some ideas for that program, beginning with some historical perspective. Back in 1971-73, Congress increased Social Security payouts three years in a row: +10% in 1971, +20% in 1972 and +11% in 1973. Automatic annual increases based on the cost-ofliving index were then authorized by Congress beginning in 1975. During that period, there were far fewer Social Security recipients and longevity was less than today, limiting the immediate financial impact. By 1977, though, recognizing U.S. demographic realities -- increasing longevity as well as the eventual surge in Social Security recipients due to the 1946-1965 baby boom -- the Congressional Budget Office sounded the alarm. Social Security’s out-of-balance actuarial situation was clear. Unfortunately, our leaders have consistently chosen to ignore the alarm and kick the can down the road for almost 50 years. Average U.S. Longevity (Years) 1960 - 69.7 1970 - 70.4 1980 - 73.3 1990 - 74.9 Millions of U.S. Births 1935 - 2.377 1940 - 2.559 1946 - 3.411 1950 - 3.632 The actuarial imbalance is now growing worse, as average longevity has increased significantly for higher versus lower income Americans, and that difference is widening. Those receiving larger Social Security payments on average are receiving those payments a lot longer than their less affluent countrymen. Average Longevity by Income & Gender Income Tier Bottom 1% Top 1% Here are ideas that I hope will provoke productive debate on this issue The Medicare funding model, both through working years and then as a recipient, provides some conceptual nourishment for Social Security. Just as employers and employees today each contribute 1.45% of one’s compensation to Medicare, with no cap on the amount of taxed compensation, why can’t the 6.2% Social Security rate paid by both employees and their employers be applied to one’s total compensation as well? Today employees and their employers pay the 6.2% Social Security rate on earned income up to $176,100. The CEO earning $10 million reaches his or her Social Security tax cap in the first week of the year! Building further on the Medicare model, its recipients must pay an income-related monthly adjusted amount (IRMAA) for Medicare B once their Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) exceeds a specific level ($106,000 for single filers and $212,000 for joint filers in 2025, based on 2023 income). A variation of that approach for Social Security might be to reduce the Social Security payout for the highest income retirees, perhaps beginning to lower Social Security payments at the same MAGI levels or even at somewhat higher levels. The payout reductions could be scaled up gradually as MAGI increases, just as IRMA Medicare B costs are scaled up gradually. Such changes would leave Social Security tax contribution unchanged for 94% of all Americans (those whose work compensation does not exceed the $176,100 Social Security tax cap) and payouts untouched for the 92% of Americans who currently do not pay the Medicare IRMAA supplemental charges. This would protect middle class Americans during their working years and then those recipients who need and have come to rely on this program to maintain their standard of living in retirement. These suggested changes would undoubtedly upset many of those impacted. Nobody likes to pay more taxes or to receive less benefits. I understand the argument that, based on what someone paid into the system during their working years, they feel entitled to get every dollar coming to them based on the current program model. But the widening longevity gap between upper- and lower-income Americans means that today’s most affluent Americans are receiving a longevity-driven windfall. I also understand local residents’ high cost of living challenge, which Congressman Mike Lawler points to in arguing for an increase in the SALT (State and Local Tax) deductibility cap. Ideally, reform specifics Defense - 14% Interest - 13% Combined - 72% 2000 - 76.5 2010 - 78.2 2020 - 78.8 1955 - 4.097 1960 - 4.258 1965 - 3.760 Men Women 72.7 87.3 78.8 88.9 SEE FREEMAN PAGE 14 FREEMAN FROM PAGE 12

PAGE 14 – NORTH SALEM NEWS OPINION 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. 2024 was a CRAZY YEAR! 845-628-5400 SFGtaxes.com | [email protected] 824 Route 6, Suite 4 | Mahopac, NY 10541 We can help make your taxes less crazy. MARCH 13, 2025 - MARCH 26, 2025 FREEMAN FROM PAGE 13 could reflect regional cost of living differences, just as Medicare payments to healthcare providers differ geographically. Perhaps in high cost of living areas like the New York metro area, there might be a range of employment compensation above the current $176,100 cap that is exempt from the Social Security tax, with the tax then kicking in at an appropriately higher compensation level. Similarly, perhaps the IRMAA-inspired idea of Social Security benefit reductions for those enjoying higher retirement income might begin at a higher income level in high cost of living areas. Most importantly, today’s federal deficit situation and the growing debt are unsustainable. Somebody must eventually pay the piper. For those of us who have most enjoyed the fruits of the American opportunity, it’s time to step up and sustain that opportunity for our children and grandchildren, not shoulder them with an impossible financial burden. Kenneth Freeman was one of the founders of Halston Media. He earned his MBA from Harvard University and served in leadership roles with several Fortune 500 corporations throughout his career. He recently co-authored the book, “Building Wealth Through Venture Capital,” which can be found on Amazon. Democrats must also ‘Fight, Fight, Fight’ Dear Editor, I agree with Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy’s approach to opposing President Trump. The “do-nothing,” “pause,” “waitfor-them-to-fail” reactions are weak and will leave us with the dismantled and likely dysfunctional institutions that may be unable to restore our republic. We can’t take that chance. Trump and his MAGA movement have succeeded in taking control of the House and the Senate, and are hollowing out and replacing leadership and workers within the Departments of Justice, Defense and the FBI. This is dangerous. The actions of Elon Musk and his DOGE agency are inhumane, but I believe the actions of DOGE are performative distractions for the real dangers I listed above that are happening so quickly that Democrats are left like “deer in the headlights,” unable to think and decide on what to do! Thank God for the fair-minded media outlets, which I depend on so much these days! I say we put our stock in people like Sen. Chris Murphy to take the reins! Let’s empower the doers who can get elected. We are in crisis now. Yes we must plan in a clear-eyed fashion, but like our counterparts, we must also “FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT.” I know I’m echoing a Trump slogan in saying “FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT.” We must fight fire with fire. My husband and I have recently taken to listening to conservative talk radio while in the car just to learn about the thinking and the messaging that contribute to the MAGA mindset, to “keep our enemies closer,” if you will. Anyway, I’m a 69-year-old retired teacher. Like so many Americans now, I am afraid for the future, that our grandkids and the children in our local and global communities will grow up in a world that shows inhumanity to those in need, where wealthy leaders reward their wealthy friends so long as they show loyalty to them as they pull the wool over the eyes of the American working class while lining their pockets. I will end by circling back to my initial message: Bravo to Chris Murphy and all those elected officials who have the right stuff, and please... let’s empower the doers who can get elected! -Carol Hoffman, Goldens Bridge LETTER have in this country. Even the most casual students of history know this is a well-worn tool used in many of the worst episodes of world history. It is a tool designed to frighten and subjugate. It is a tool used by those who want to promote xenophobia. On the “mild end” of potential outcomes, we see a depression in voter turnout and people retreating to their homes. On the worst end, we see fascism. Now, no elected official can have the lived experience of every population group they represent, no matter how much of a melting pot we may be. Congressman Lawler is not Jewish, not Black, not Hispanic and not LGBTQ. That is not the issue. The question is whether he stands up for those in his constituency who are. And further, as a duly elected representative to Congress, whether he stands willing to protect our shared democracy. If you are not familiar with Martin Niemoller’s famous quotation, the beginning is up top. It ends with a cautionary tale, very appropriate for our time. “Then they came for me. And there was no one left to speak out for me.” Erika Pierce is a resident of Bedford and a Westchester County Legislator from District 2. PIERCE FROM PAGE 12

OPINION NORTH SALEM NEWS – PAGE 15 JUNK REMOVAL AND DUMPSTERS WE SPECIALIZE IN 8, 10, 12 & 15 YARD DUMPSTERS ON WHEELS & TRADITIONAL DUMPSTERS 10-40 YARD Michael Procopis • 914-703-2626 mvpjunkremoval.com • [email protected] MARCH 13, 2025 - MARCH 26, 2025 Musk’s DOGE slashes fat But entitlements are still the elephant The Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE for short, has been causing lots of chatter lately. The new agency, led by the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, is on a mission to streamline the federal budget to get our country’s fiscal house in order. Government efficiency sounds like an obvious oxymoron, but it is a noble goal that is modestly popular if recent polls are to be trusted. A recent Economist/YouGov poll found that 42% view the department favorably and 38% unfavorably. What’s not to like about the concept? Assemble a team of nerd geniuses and apply cutting-edge AI and software to the federal government to streamline operations and cut fraud, waste and abuse. Trimming the fat of excess personnel in government bureaucracies is something that has been done in the private sector since the beginning of capitalism, whenever that was. I’m a fan of the concept, but the execution has been less than perfect. I wasn’t familiar with the Silicon Valley phrase “move fast and break things” until DOGE got started, but that is part of the process, evidently. Less chaos, more transparency, and a dash of compassion would improve the popularity of the program. So far, $100 billion in cuts have been identified, mostly from layoffs and the elimination of programs and contracts. Musk has set a target of $1 trillion by the end of October. The current federal budget is over $7 trillion, so a hundred billion dollars is a drop in the bucket. Without targeting the major drivers of the budget, his work is merely rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, when it comes to federal budget expenditures, are Medicaid and Medicare, Social Security, defense spending and interest on our rapidly growing debt. According to the Peterson Foundation, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid account for nearly 75 percent of mandatory spending. For the first time in our history, interest payments on our $36 trillion debt will soon exceed our total defense spending. There was a time when fiscally sensible politicians from both sides of the aisle would talk about the debt, the deficit and getting our fiscal house in order. But now, not so much. Any politician who hints at reforming these entitlement programs is immediately eviscerated and kicked to the curb. I just cashed my third Social Security check, so part of this budget discussion has become personal. As a friend of mine observed, “Getting that monthly check was like picking up another retainer client.” It’s a good feeling. But without changes, Social Security will be broke in 10 years. Since my current plans are to live longer than 10 years, I’m an advocate for reform. In 2010, President Obama did what any leader in a tough spot does— he formed a blue-ribbon advisory panel to give recommendations. He formed the Simpson-Bowles Commission, formally known as the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. Their objective was to submit their final report to Congress for an up-ordown vote as long as they received 14 yes votes from the 18 commission members. They received 11. It failed. Since then, there hasn’t been much talk of fiscal reform. The commission’s recommendations for saving Social Security were fairly straightforward. • Gradually raise the retirement age. • Eliminate the income cap on Social Security taxes (currently set at $150,000). • Implement means testing, similar to Medicare, to reduce benefits for high-net-worth retirees. We could also adopt Australia’s model and allow payroll deductions to be invested in private accounts with actual returns—because right now, there’s no return on your Social Security taxes. When it comes to Social Security, the problem isn’t knowing what to do—the solutions are straightforward. What’s missing is the political will to take the first step. Although DOGE has its challenges, maybe it can be the conversation starter we need, provided both sides are willing to engage. At the very least, DOGE could start the conversation—if both sides are willing to have it. Isn’t that the least we should expect? DON SCOTT IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Sports PAGE 16 – NORTH SALEM NEWS MARCH 13, 2025 - MARCH 26, 2025 BY TOM WALOGORSKY EDITOR After having Haldane’s number in their two previous meetings this season, North Salem girls basketball looked poised to play the tape one more time in the sectional semifinals on March 3. Squaring off with their rivals at the Westchester County Center, the Tigers had to contend with a hungry Blue Devil team while missing a key offensive weapon in junior guard Noemi Torres who was out of the lineup with an illness. Torres scored 36 points in the previous game with Haldane on Jan. 31, and her absence was felt. “In the earlier matchups we were able to set the tone on the defensive end and disrupt them from any offensive flow,” explained Coach Elvin Gutierrez.  “Not having our best player on the floor made it difficult for us to set the tone, and it became more of an even matchup where they were able to execute their offense.” Regardless, the squad refused to back down and kept pace with Haldane to take a 22- 20 lead into the half. The second half belonged to the Blue Devils, as they slowly pulled away and withstood pressure from the Tigers in the fourth quarter to take a 48-43 win and close out North Salem’s season. 8th grader Kerri Nemeth led the scoring with 20 points, Connor Meehan James Nemeth, Max Cotrone, and Patrick Dooley Anthony Federice BOYS BASKETBALL Tigers roar at County Center BY TOM WALOGORSKY EDITOR Entering the playoffs as the #2 seed, North Salem’s boys basketball team looked right at home under the bright lights of the Westchester County Center on March 3. Standing across the court were the #3 ranked Keio Academy Unicorns. Within minutes of tipoff in the semifinal matchup, it became clear that the Tigers were not intimidated by mythical creatures or the big stage. After Keio opened on a 4-0 run, North Salem seized control and never looked back, dominating the Unicorns up and down the court and taking a 26-8 lead into the half. The junior tandem of Jameson Juan (18 points) and Max Cotrone (17 points) powered the offense, while sophomore Lucas Virzi had 13 points and senior Justin Major chipped in 7 as the Tigers rolled to a dominant 63-30 win. North Salem was set to square off with Tuckahoe in the Class C title game on Saturday, March 8, after press time for this issue. Justin Major / PHOTOS: TOM WALOGORSKY The Tigers ended their season on March 3. / PHOTO: TOM WALOGORSKY GIRLS BASKETBALL Tigers fall to Haldane in semifinals SEE BASKETBALL PAGE 17

MARCH 13, 2025 - MARCH 26, 2025 SPORTS NORTH SALEM NEWS – PAGE 17 BY MIKE SABINI CONTRIBUTING WRITER The no. 8 seeded BYSNS (Brewster/Yorktown/ Somers/North Salem) knew they were going to have their hands full when they traveled to No. 1 seed and defending state champion Suffern at Sport O-Rama Ice Rinks in Monsey on Feb. 25, in the quarterfinals of the Section 1 Division 1 Tournament.  BYSNS was equal to the task especially Patrick Vaughn, who gave an all-time performance in goal, before Suffern won in overtime 4-3, ending the visitors’ season.  “Patrick did amazing in goal, we have so much confidence in him, and we know if he can see the shot clearly and defensively we can avoid any deflections, he will make the save every time,” said BYSNS coach Ryan Langkafel. “Patrick recorded 50 saves, and that is a testament to his abilities, mindset, and skill to compete in big moments. He is never concerned about that ones that get by, he has a great attitude to just focus on stopping the next shot.” Without Vaughn’s heroics, the Bisons’ valiant effort would not have been possible. “His performance certainly kept us in the game and we are so proud of how he played,” Langkafel said. “It is unfortunate we couldn’t get the result we wanted for him, and the rest of the team, but it was an all- around effort that the team will be proud of, and it is one this program will remember.” As for the team’s performance as a whole, Langkafel was ecstatic about that as well.  “I was so proud of our team’s effort against Suffern,” Langkafel said. “We knew we could compete with them and we had the belief that we could beat them. The players were dialed in to our practices leading up to playoffs and our game plan was set to play against anyone and be successful.” Kaden Krempler and Lucas Salvatore each scored in the first period, with both goals being assisted by AJ Jones, giving BYSNS a 2-0 lead going into the second stanza. “We know Suffern has played in big games so we knew we would have to start the game off strong to send a message to ourselves and them,” Langkafel said. “Getting out to a lead, gave us the opportunity to control the game and manage it. I feel as though we did that very well. It was unfortunate that some penalty calls were made against us and a team like Suffern will capitalize on those opportunities.” Suffern answered with two goals in the second period to tie the game at 2-2 before James Munoz, off an assist from Michael Bonelli, gave the Bisons a 3-2 advantage five minutes and 45 seconds into the final period.  The Mounties, though, rallied to win the game with a goal in regulation and another one in overtime.  “When James scored that third goal, it sparked our team again since we lost some momentum after Suffern tied it up at 2-2,” Langkafel said. “We always believed in ourselves the whole game and that was a moment that we felt the game plan was coming to fruition. It was an amazing moment looking back on it for James. The effort led by AJ Jones, Lucas Salvatore, and Michael Bonelli along with the rest of the team proved their perseverance, and commitment. It proved to everyone that the we can beat any strong team.”  Ruby Molina Coach Elvin Gutierrez talks strategy with the Tigers. ICE HOCKEY BYSNS end season with OT loss to Suffern Lucas Salvatore / PHOTO: ROB DIANTONIO going 10 for 12 from the free throw line, while freshman Maddy Horel had 9 points in the effort. With the season over, Gutierrez took time to reflect on his first year at the helm of the Tigers and looked to the future. “We are a very young team, and losing four seniors last year, we knew we had to start all over and set some groundwork for good habits that will translate into success on the court,” he explained. “I am hoping to continue our quest for improvement day in and day out, as well as for the maturity of a young team growing into their perspectives roles.” North Salem will now bid farewell to seniors Ruby Molina and Lauren Ndreu. BASKETBALL FROM PAGE 16 Maddy Horel Emma Greenberg/ PHOTOS: TOM WALOGORSKY I am hoping to continue our quest for improvement day in and day out.’ - Coach Elvin Gutierrez Kerri Nemeth

PAGE 18 – NORTH SALEM NEWS LEISURE NO NEWS... 1. Clip the short form on the page 2. Fill out the information. 3. Mail it to P.O. Box 864, Mahopac, NY 10541 4. Or visit www.halstonsubscribe.com 5. Or Scan our QR Code to Subscribe. We need you to subscribe. It’s FREE & It’s Easy! is NOT necessarily good news! # 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 North Salem News YES, I really enjoy North Salem News 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 for TAPinto E-News) (Optional) Mail to: P.O. Box 864 Mahopac, NY 10541 While we need your Full Support to keep this newspaper strong, we include the option for Basic Support because we don’t want financial reasons to get in the way of our readers receiving this newspaper. Basic Support vs. Full Support Basic Support Full Support $100 $50 $20 other or visit www.halstonsubscribe.com OR or visit www.halstonsubscribe.com Checks payable to Halston Media LLC. Please include this form in your envelope. Please include the following additional papers as part of this subscription: The Somers Record Mahopac News Yorktown News The Mt. Kisco-Bedford Times The Katonah-Lewisboro times CROSSWORD SUDOKU To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle! CLUES ACROSS 1. Take heed 5. One’s superior 9. Prepped meat 11. Tighten anew 13. Type of textile fiber 15. Animalistic 16. When you hope to get somewhere 17. Offender 19. Former NYC mayor Ed 21. Type of cryptocurrency 22. Mauna __, Hawaiian volcano 23. Herring-like fish 25. Popular PBS program 26. Congressman (abbr.) 27. Flightless Australian birds 29. Defrosted 31. Prior Yankee sensation Kevin 33. Nasal mucus 34. Some are southern 36. A place to construct 38. Popular beer brand 39. Shouts of farewell 41. Network of nerves 43. Make a mistake 44. Showed old movie 46. Body parts 48. A divisor 52. Congressional investigatory body 53. Papers 54. Most unnatural 56. Judge the worth of something 57. Makes sounds while sleeping 58. Which 59. Hungarian Violinist CLUES DOWN 1. Pages 2. Head pain 3. A loud utterance 4. Large brown seaweed 5. Hulu’s chef Carmine 6. Greek mountain 7. Made final 8. Bar 9. Tai subgroup 10. What you eat 11. Teaches again 12. Small constellation 14. Type of berry 15. Cows fattened for meat 18. A way to hoof it 20. Exaggerated a role 24. About two 26. Long upholstered seat 28. What employees earn 30. Fiber from a coconut husk 32. Digits 34. Polish by rubbing 35. Liquid body substances 37. Furniture with open shelves 38. Edible part of a chicken 40. Satisfy 42. Tool used to remove 43. Icelandic poems 45. Swiss village 47. Drunks 49. Evergreen plant genus 50. Light precipitation 51. Ribosomal ribonucleic acid 55. An informal debt instrument For puzzle solutions, please see theparamountrehab.com MARCH 13, 2025 - MARCH 26, 2025

CLASSIFIEDS NORTH SALEM NEWS – PAGE 19 PUZZLE SOLUTIONS FOR THE WEEK OF 02/27/25 Selling Something? Looking To Buy Something? Having An Event? Reach Thousands of our Readers at a Low Cost! [email protected] Email: Tag/Garage/Estate Sale? Call: 914-302-5628 or email [email protected] 25 words/5 papers/$55 total* *This is the cost for base ad. Additional add-ons are extra. Call us to place your upcoming sale in our Classifieds! Looking To Hire? Help Wanted? Reach Thousands of our Readers at a Low Cost! [email protected] or Call: 914-302-5628 Email: MARCH 13, 2025 - MARCH 26, 2025  CASH PAID  FOR ALL JEWELRY! Estate Jewelry Costume Jewelry Handbags Watches Perfumes Vintage Clothing Books Furs  Religious Medals CAROL: 914-261-6464  CLEANING SERVICES Professional and Reliable Cleaning Service for any Kind of House, Condo or Apartment.  Leave the Cleaning to Us! Call Lukas for a Free Estimate: 845-915-0144 WESTCHESTER COUNTY LIQUOR LICENSE Notice is hereby given that an alcohol beverage license NA0340-24-111592 , has been applied for by the undersigned to sell Liquor, Beer, Cider, and Wine in a Restaurant, licensed under the Alcohol Beverage Control Law at 3673 Hill Blvd Jefferson Valley, New York 10535 - On-Premises Consumption Liquor License for Robert SMZD Corp / dba, FRANKIE & AUGIE'Z NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Town Board of the Town of North Salem will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at 7:00pm, or as soon thereafter as possible, at the Town Meeting Hall, 66 June Road, North Salem, New York (and via zoom), to consider a local law amending the Code of the Town of North Salem by adding Chapter 27 entitled ALARMS. Comments submitted in writing prior to the Public Hearing will be read and entered into the record. A copy of the complete proposed Local Law may be viewed in the office of the Town Clerk at 266 Titicus Road, North Salem, NY 10560 or on the Town website at www.northsalemny.org At said hearing, all interested parties may attend and will be heard.  The Town of North Salem is committed to equal access for all citizens.  Anyone requiring accommodation to attend or participate in this meeting is urged to call the Town Clerk’s office in advance at (914) 669-5577. Zoom Information: Call in number:  929-205-6099 Meeting ID:  9142612636 Zoom link:  https://zoom.us/j/9142612636 BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF NORTH SALEM Maria C. Hlushko Town Clerk BUYING JEWELRY! INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT? Don’t Accept the insurance company’s first offer. Many injured parties are entitled to major cash settlements. Get a free evaluation to see what your case is really worth. 100% Free Evaluation. Call Now: 1-888-454-4717. Be ready with your zip code to connect with the closest provider ATTORNEY DIVORCE $389 - Uncontested divorce papers prepared. Only one signature required. Poor person Application included if applicable. Separation agreements. Custody and support petitions. 518-274-0380 GOT AN UNWANTED CAR??? Your car donation to Patriotic Hearts helps veterans find work or start their own business. Fast free pick. Running or not! Call 24/7: 1-888-251-3135. AUTO DONATIONS We buy 8,000 cars a week. Sell your old, busted or junk car with no hoops, haggles or headaches. Sell your car to Peddle. Easy three step process. Instant offer. Free pickup. Fast payment. Call 1-855-403-3374 AUTOS WANTED We Buy Houses for Cash AS IS! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-888-704-5670 BUYING / SELLING AFFORDABLE TV & INTERNET. If you are overpaying for your service, call now for a free quote and see how much you can save! 1-855- 399-2803 TV / INTERNET/ PHONE Privacy Hedge! Arborvitae 6-foot Reduced to $125/each. Free Installation, Free Delivery. Fast growing, High-quality Beautiful & Bushy! Order now to reserve for early Spring delivery. LowCostTrees.com 518-536-1367 FOR SALE HEARING AIDS!!  High-quality rechargeable, powerful Audien hearing aids priced 90% less than competitors. Tiny and NEARLY INVISIBLE! 45-day money back guarantee! 855-819-7060 HEALTH ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! Discover Oxygen Therapy That Moves with You with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. FREE information kit. Call 1-855-399-2719 Attention: VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! A cheaper alternative to high drugstore prices! 50 Pill Special - Only $99! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW: 1-855-399-2582 SAVE ON YOUR TRAVEL PLANS! Up to 75% More than 500 AIRLINES and 300,000 HOTELS across the world. Let us do the research for you for FREE! Call: 877 988 7277 TRAVEL SERVICES Do you know what’s in your water? Leaf Home Water Solutions offers FREE water testing and whole home water treatment systems that can be installed in as little one day. 15% off your entire purchase. Plus 10% senior & military discounts. Restrictions apply. Schedule your FREE test today. Call 1-866-247-5728 Get DISH Satellite TV + Internet! Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 On-Demand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-866-782-4069 Do you need a Roof or Energy Efficient Windows & Help paying for it? YOU MAY QUALIFY THROUGH NEW RELIEF PROGRAMS (800) 944-9393 or visit NYProgramFunding.org to qualify. Approved applications will have the work completed by a repair crew provided by: HOMEOWNER FUNDING. Not affiliated with State or Gov Programs. HOME IMPROVEMENT Get Boost Infinite! Unlimited Talk, Text and Data For Just $25/mo! The Power Of 3 5G Networks, One Low Price! Call Today and Get The Latest iPhone Every Year On Us! 844-329-9391 MISCELLANEOUS CLEANING SERVICES IF YOU HAD KNEE OR HIP REPLACEMENT SURGERY AND SUFFERED AN INFECTION between 2020 and the present time, you may be entitled to compensation. Call Attorney Charles H. Johnson 1-800-535-5727 AGING ROOF? NEW HOMEOWNER? STORM DAMAGE? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-888- 920-9937

PAGE 20 – NORTH SALEM NEWS EXPERT CARE FOR WESTCHESTER POWERED BY NY’S MOST AWARDED HEALTH SYSTEM Northwell is proud to deliver exceptional, innovative care right in your community. Get easy access to primary and urgent care, specialty services like OB/GYN, cardiac and neurosurgery, and everything in between. It’s all here—and it’s all for you. Learn more at Northwell.edu/Westchester. To speak to a care navigator, call (914) 418-CARE 2341754a_2024 Westchester_Local_Campaign_North Salem News_Somers Record_Yorktown News_Mount Kisco Bedford Times_KatonahLewisboroTimes95x1225FPMARCH 13, 2025 - MARCH 26, 2025