BY EMILE MENASCHE EDITOR When Supervisor Tom Diana died suddenly last week at the age of 66, he was about to embark on the next chapter in a lifelong love story with his hometown of Yorktown. Born and raised in Shrub Oak, Diana had risen from the Town Board’s deputy supervisor to the town’s top spot in 2023 following then-Supervisor Matt Slater’s election to the New York State Assembly. Last week’s inauguration came after the self-described “Oakey from Shrub Oak” decisively won reelection. For his colleagues in local government, and his many friends around Yorktown and beyond, Diana’s passing still feels “surreal,” said his fellow Town Board member Ed Lachterman, who was appointed deputy supervisor on Jan. 1 and now must step into his close friend’s shoes as acting supervisor. “Tom was always proud of being an ‘Oakey from Shrub Oakey’ and he was truly proud of being from the Town of Yorktown,” Lachterman said. “He was as much a part of Yorktown as Yorktown was a part of him. However, I had never seen him as proud as the moments before his first meeting as the duly elected supervisor. Before starting the meeting, he showed me the election certification certificate for his election, which was beautifully framed by his wife Donna for his office. “I have never known Tom to look for any type of approval,” Lachterman added. “But this overwhelming election to office and the realization that he would be able to continue to serve his town was one of his proudest achievements.” Thomas Paul Diana grew up in Shrub Oak at a time of growth and change as Yorktown evolved from its relatively rural mid-century roots to become home to a thriving mix of commuters and local business owners. When he passed, he still lived in the house he grew up in, which was built by his father and uncle. “My mother (Maurine Audra Power Diana) and father (Henry Paul) grew up in Shrub Oak and my grandparents came here in about 1910,” Diana told Yorktown News before the election. “My parents attended Lakeland schools, as did I and my kids.” Diana graduated from Lakeland in 1975. Before going into politics, he spent decades in law enforcement. He served as a Putnam County sheriff ’s deputy, then transferred to the Yorktown Police Department where he worked as a member of the K-9 unit. After his time with Yorktown PD, he crossed the town line to Cortlandt where he worked as a patrol commander sergeant before finishing his law enforcement career in 2005 with the Westchester County Police Department. “I had a wonderful 25-year career as a police officer, a number of years right here at the Yorktown PD,” Diana recalled last fall. Yorktown Police Chief Robert Noble said Diana’s background in law enforcement gave him a special bond with the members of the department. “A former member of the Yorktown Police Department and retired member of the Westchester County Police Department, Tom Diana never lost that mentality to help and serve others before himself,” Noble said. “The town of Yorktown lost a giant. All of us at the Yorktown Police Department mourn his passing and stand ready to support his family and friends in the challenging days ahead.” Assemblyman and former Yorktown Supervisor Matt Slater called Diana’s passing a “profound loss.” “Supervisor Tom Diana was a true public servant who was proud to call Yorktown his home,” Slater said. “He was a terrific police officer and dedicated himself to serving the people of Yorktown on the Town Board. This is a true tragedy and a Police from throughout the area escort Supervisor Tom Diana to his final resting place. PHOTOS: SOPHIA CASELNOVA CLASSIFIEDS 39 LEGAL NOTICES 35 LEISURE 29 OPINION 10 SPORTS 22 TOWN GREEN 4 pg 20 REMEMBERING TOM DIANA VOL. 12 NO. 42 Visit News.HalstonMedia.com for the latest news. JANUARY 11 – JANUARY 24, 2024 Yorktown mourns loss of Supervisor Tom Diana SEE DIANA PAGE 8 Thanksgiving is a special day to count our blessings and all things we are grateful for. Wishing you all an abundance of Joy and Happiness this Thanksgiving! Owned by a subsidiary of Anywhere Advisors LLC. Pauline Angrisani 845.664.4579 (m) Real Estate Salesperson [email protected] www.paulineangrisani.com LET’S JUMP INTO THE NEW YEAR TOGETHER! Now is the Time to Act. Let’s Get Together to Discuss the Spring Market. Call Today For a No-Commitment Consultation! Loyalty ~ Reliability ~ Honesty ~ Commitment Lower Hudson Valley Regional Office | 366 Underhill Avenue Yorktown Heights, NY 10598
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JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 24, 2024 YORKTOWN NEWS – PAGE 3 Eric Marotta, age 12, gets ready to throw a snowball... at his mom! PHOTO COURTESY JULIE MAROTTA Baily says it’s sweater weather! PHOTO COURTESY MELISSA MEDWIND Francesco Notaristefano Jr and TJ Sammon get ready for another downhill run. PHOTO COURTESY FRANCESCO D. NOTARISTEFANO Orio the cat looks out at the snow. PHOTO COURTESY HECTOR RIVERA Four-month-old cockapoo Teddy enjoys his first snow at the doggy park in Shrub Oak. PHOTO COURTESY SARA TEGAN Snow way! With a blanket of snow covering Yorktown over the weekend, it was time for sleds, snowballs, and fun. We asked our readers to send some pictures of their frolics among the flakes. Todd Bold’s furry friend patiently watches him shovel snow. PHOTO COURTESY TODD BOLD Chelsea and Gus find shelter in the snow. PHOTOS COURTESY EILEEN BOYE Hailey (9) and Mason (6) Morris of Yorktown PHOTO COURTESY LESLIE MORRIS TRUSTS & ESTATES • WILLS • PROBATE • ELDER LAW • GUARDIANSHIPS • REAL ESTATE LAW HONOR, INTEGRITY, LAW OFFICE OF COMPASSION, AND DIGNITY ANDRES D. GIL, PLLC 845.940.1110 Timely Professional Service
PAGE 4 – YORKTOWN NEWS Periodicals Postage Paid at Somers, NY and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Yorktown News at 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 (ISSN 2329-8693) Published Weekly by Halston Media, LLC at 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ©2024 Halston Media, LLC The Staff EDITORIAL TEAM Emile Menasché Editor: 845-208-0774 [email protected] ADVERTISING TEAM Paul Forhan (914) 806-3951 [email protected] Bruce Heller (914) 486-7608 [email protected] Lisa Kain (201) 317-1139 [email protected] Corinne Stanton (914) 760-7009 [email protected] Jay Gussak (914) 299-4541 [email protected] Pam Zacotinsky 845-661-0748 [email protected] PRODUCTION TEAM Tabitha Pearson Marshall Creative Director/Photographer [email protected] DESIGNERS Noah Elder Bri Agosta Haven Elder Jacob Elcer EXECUTIVE TEAM Brett Freeman CEO & Publisher 845-208-8151 [email protected] Deadlines Yorktown News The deadline for advertisements and editorial submissions for Yorktown News is the Thursday before the next publication date. For more information, call Tom Walogorsky at 914-302-5830 or email [email protected]. Subscribe To request Yorktown 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. JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 24, 2024 SCAN HERE FOR MORE INFO! ENJOY 0 DOWN, 0% FINANCING! CALL US TODAY! ACT NOW BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE! LIMITED TIME OFFER 845-600-8004 | www.bellmech.com CALL BELL before the Winter Spell! Heat pumps are a cleaner & healthier alternative to traditional heating & cooling systems. This all in one system will eliminate your need for fossil fuel and help you save thousands. Learn more about rebates & financing options! EXCLUDES SERVICE CONTRACT • EXP 1/30/24 Coupon must be presented at time of service. Cannot be combined with any other offer. $50 OFF ANY OF OUR SERVICES UP TO SAVE THOUSANDS in Federal, State and Local Incentives on your new HEATPUMP PROJECT Correction In our Dec. 14 front-page article “Festival of Lights in Yorktown,” we misidentified Perry Gusikoff of Yorktown Autobody as Perry Gustos. We apologize for the error. Senior Committee Meeting Cancelled Yorktown Senior Advisory Committee meeting for Friday, Jan. 19 has been canceled due to the untimely passing of Supervisor Tom Diana. The next meeting will be Friday, Feb. 16 at 1 p.m. in the Yorktown Town Hall meeting room. Softball Umps Wanted Thinking of retiring from playing softball but want to stay close to the game? Want to make some extra money while still playing? Become an umpire in a local league and earn money while keeping in touch with your passion. Yorktown Sports Association needs umpires for modified and slow-pitch adult leagues on Sunday mornings and/or weeknights, with a flexible schedulbe. Training is available. YSA has taken special pride in providing a safe, friendly, fun atmosphere for the past 50 years. For more info, email info@ysaleagues. com or call 914-962-8390 x 10. Westchester Children’s Chorus The Westchester Children’s Chorus has launched a Northern Westchester branch based in Yorktown. The award-winning organization held its auditions on Jan. 9 but is still open to new members. Singers in grades 1-12 are eligible. For more information, email [email protected] or visit wcchorus.org. Martin Luther King Jr. Day “Beyond the ‘Dream’” On Monday, Jan. 15, from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., Race Amity of Northern Westchester & Putnam and Yorktown for Justice will celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy as a radical visionary and American icon with a candid, in-person discussion of his life, history and mission. The event takes place at Grace Lutheran Church (3830 Gomer Street, Yorktown Heights) and will explore some of King’s most powerful works and will feature learning, music, and refreshments. Donate Blood With supplies short, the New York Blood Center is holding a series of blood drives at Old Virtual Reality space at Jefferson Valley Mall (650 Lee Boulevard, Jefferson Valley). Upcoming dates include Monday, Jan 15; Monday, Jan 29, and Monday, Feb 5, all from noon - 6 p.m. Other upcoming mobile blood drives include Wednesday, Jan. 24, noon - 6 p.m. at Austin Road Elementary School, 390 Austin Road in Mahopac, and Wednesday, Feb. 14 at Grace Lutheran Church, 3830 Gomer Street in Yorktown Heights. Visit donate.nybc.org/donor/schedules for more informaiton. TOWN GREEN SEE GREEN PAGE 32
JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 24, 2024 YORKTOWN NEWS – PAGE 5 Dear Friend, Let me start by explaining the photo in this letter. You know, when I meet people in town they usually say, “oh yeah, I know you, you’re Dr. Gertner. I’ve seen stories for years...” Well, that’s me. I’m the guy in the picture with my amazing family. “When I was in college I was injured playing football. I began developing severe and constant pain in my neck and lower back. After chiropractic, and PT were not effective in relieving my symtoms... I had surgery. Over the next 20 years I had surgery 3 more times, but I still suffered with horrible pain. I was referred to Dr. Gertner by a friend. On the first visit he performed a computerized diagnostic scan that located my problem. I had a pinched nerve. After only a few visits most of the pain in my neck and back was gone for the first time in decades. I fell like I have my life back!” –Rob C Now let me tell my story. When I was in chiropractic school in Atlanta, Georgia, I had a severe injury to my lower back. For over a year I suffered with horrible pain. I was getting adjusted three times a week by traditional chiropractors without any results. I was less than a month away from graduation and I became very frustrated. For the last 8 years I had studied to become a chiropractor, and now my life was put on hold by a condition that chiropractic is supposed to treat. A colleague of mine introduced me to a doctor who specializes in an unique type of chiropractic called NUCCA. In the entire world there are less than 200 NUCCA doctors. NUCCA can be considered to be like “engineering of the spine,” specializing in spinal correction without surgery. The NUCCA correction gently restores the skull, spine, and pelvis back to its proper posi tion. This takes pressure off the nerves and allows the body to return to its natural, healthy state. Patients are typically seen 1/3 as often as traditional chiropractic and most patients receive permanent relief. Immediately after the first visit I felt relief, and in one week I was completely out of pain. I spent the next two years working as an intern in that Atlanta office. In 2002 I returned home to NY. In the last 21 years we have quickly become the busiest NUCCA office worldwide. It is common for patients to travel well over an hour each way for care. We have seen patients that travel from all over the world, as well as 48 of the 50 United States. It’s strange how life is, because people now come to see me with all types of problems. With this NUCCA procedure I have tremendous results with the type of patients that visit traditional chiropractors like neck pain, back pain, and headaches, but the majority of my patients have more severe neurological conditions such as Fibromyalgia, Trigeminal Neuralgia, MS, Parkinson’s, and Seizures, just to name a few. I explain to my patients that I am not curing them of anything, but the NUCCA procedure is able to help alleviate many of the symptoms associated with the disease. Here’s what some of my patients had to say: “I used to suffer with severe facial pain called trigeminal neuralgia. I’ve seen my MD, Neurologist, and Acupuncturist with limited results. I travel from East Hampton, LI because this is the only treatment that has helped me” – Pat G “For the last few years I have suffered with MS. I’ve been suffering with tremors, poor circulation, neck and back pain, loss of coordination, fatigue, asthma and insomnia. I have been under care for six months and without medication, Dr. Gertner has helped me control my MS. My tremors are gone and I am able to keep my hands steady. I am also seen great improvements in all my original symptoms including asthma – all without drugs! –Don O Several times a day patients thank me for helping them with their health problems. But I can’t really take the credit. I’ve never healed anyone of anything. What I do is make a specific spinal adjustment to remove nerve pressure, and the body responds by healing itself. The power that made the body, heals the body! We get tremendous results. It’s as simple as that! Make A Believer Out Of Me Offer – You shouldn’t go bankrupt to find out the solution to your health problems. If you bring in this article, you can receive my computerized diagnostic test and new patient exam with x-rays if needed for $27. This exam could cost you $300 just for the computerized test alone. But, please call right away because this offer expires on January 31, 2024, and I don’t want you to miss out. Why am I doing this? My purpose is to get as many people well through NUCCA chiropractic care as I possibly can. I want to become your chiropractor if you need me. If after the exam I think I can help you I’ll tell you, If not I’ll personally refer you to the appropriate healthcare professional. Satisfaction... Please, I hope that there’s no misunderstanding about quality of care. You’ll get professional care that’s affordable. My qualifications... I graduated from Hofstra University before finishing my Doctorate at Life College in Marietta, GA. I’m Board certified in the state of New York, and by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners. I’ve been entrusted to take care of more than 10,000 patients... newborns, pro athletes, and celebrities that you may know, and I have delivered over 250,000 spinal corrections. My assistants are Diana and Sharee and they are great people. Our office is both friendly and warm and we try our best to make you feel at home. Our office is called Upper Cervical Chiropractic of New York and is conveniently located at 311 North St in White Plains. Our phone number is 914-686-6200 or you can visit our website at www.nuccadoctor.com. Call today for an appointment to start getting well! Thank You. George Gertner, DC Do you have a pinched nerve? WE CAN HELP!
PAGE 6 – YORKTOWN NEWS JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 24, 2024 BY EMILE MENASCHE EDITOR Next month, voters in the Yorktown Central School District will decide on a pair of funding propositions to determine whether – and to what extent – the district will implement up to $57 million in capital improvements to its facilities over the next several years. On the ballot on Tuesday, Feb. 13, will be two funding propositions: The first is a $46 million bond that district officials say will bring no tax increase; the second is a proposal to raise $11 million through what the district calls a “modest” tax hike. This second proposition will only go into effect if voters approve the first. If approved, district officials said the capital project is expected to break ground in 2025 and would add classrooms to YCSD’s elementary school buildings, modernize learning spaces throughout the district, enhance its athletic facilities, and improve security. School officials said the upgrades are necessary due to rising enrollment, changing educational needs, and the aging of many of the facilities. The district has posted a detailed explanation of the projects with cost and timelines at yorktown.org/capital-bond-project. The district has scheduled a series of in-person and virtual information sessions, beginning on Saturday, Jan. 13 (Ed note: see Capital info schedule for dates and times.) The first proposition – the one said to have no tax impact – will add classrooms and other learning spaces at Brookside, Crompond, and Mohansic elementary schools and include renovations to Mildred E. Strang Middle School, Yorktown High School, and the athletic fields. At a recent school board meeting outlining the capital project, Superintendent Dr. Ron Hattar said the schools are already nearing capacity. With Yorktown’s population expected to grow through new housing developments like Underhill Farm, district officials believe the student population will only get bigger over the next five years. Hattar said a major priority will be expanding and modernizing the three elementary schools. If the first proposal is approved, each school will receive six new classrooms, along with dedicated space for special education and small group instruction and security upgrades at the main entrance. “If that work doesn’t get done and the construction projects in town and the enrollment growth that we’re anticipating are realized, we’re out of capacity at that point,” Hattar said at the Board of Education meeting. District officials said Brookside and Mohansic are both short three general education classrooms and two special education classrooms and lack space for pull-out instruction, such as speech services, with sessions sometimes held in hallways or cramped spaces. According to the district’s website, the goal is to “provide additional space and resources to accommodate student needs and the growing student population, ensuring that every child continues to have access to the high-quality education that has become synonymous with Yorktown.” Proposed improvements to Strang Middle School include upgrades to classrooms as well as the building’s science rooms, home and careers classroom, cafeteria, and main lobby. The bond project will also provide funds to “completely renovate” all music and art classrooms at both the middle and high schools. “These renovations will provide our talented musicians and artists with state-of-the-art facilities to practice and showcase their talents,” the district’s proposal states. “Additionally, the Yorktown schools to put capital plan funding before voters District will host info sessions beginning Jan. 13 Artists renderings show proposed updates to music and academic classrooms. PHOTOS COURTESY YORKTOWN CSD SEE YCSD PAGE 7 Starting our 44th year serving Yorktown children Family Owned And Operated, Owners Always On The Premises. WWW.PIEDPIPERSCHOOLYORKTOWN.COM 2090 Crompond Road - Yorktown Heights For more information call 914-962-5196 or 914-815-5281 PRESCHOOL • Ages 18 months to 5 years • Operating Hours 7am to 6pm • New York State Certified Curriculum • Before & After Care Available BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL ADVENTURES • Ages 18 months to 10 years • Large indoor and fenced in outdoor playgrounds • Homework Assistance • Bus Transportation Provided By The Yorktown School District • Food and drinks provided Happy Holidays from the Pied Piper Family! Enrollment Opens Feb 1st For The 2024-2025 School Year SUMMER CAMP • Ages 18 Months To 10 Years • Flexible Days, Weeks & Times • Indoor Air Conditioned Playground • Weekly Themes And Activities Including Sports, Arts & Crafts, Music, Cooking And Theatre. • Bls, Cpr, Rit First Aid, Epipen & Mat Certified Check out our new website. Call today and sign up for a tour. Our family can’t wait to meet your family! Receiver of Taxes 914-962-5722 x212 363 Underhill Avenue 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 Monday through Friday TOWN OF YORKTOWN School Tax Bill for Year 2023-2024 The Second Half of the school taxes are due and must be paid no later than January 31, 2024. (Last day to pay without penalty). Please note that only one (1) School Tax Bill is mailed to each resident. The bill was mailed on September 1, 2023. Each bill has two perforated payment stubs located at the bottom of the statement which are to be used for payments. Please call the Tax Office if you have not received your bill. Payment options: ➢ Payment in person: Town Hall Hours 8:00 am – 4:00 pm Drop box (gray box) available in back by the Town Hall entrance. ➢ Payment by mail Please be sure that all envelopes are postmarked by an official United States Post Office no later than January 31, 2024. ➢ On-line check/credit card payments Please refer to the “Tax Receiver” website at www.yorktownny.org to make payments on-line. Taxes must be postmarked no later than January 31, 2024
JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 24, 2024 YORKTOWN NEWS – PAGE 7 Capital project info sessions The Yorktown Central School District has organized a series of informational sessions regarding its proposed capital project. These sessions, led by district administrators, aim to provide comprehensive details about the project and offer an opportunity for questions following the presentations. · Saturday, Jan. 13, 10 a.m. – MESMS Cafeteria · Tuesday, Jan. 16, 7 p.m. – MESMS Cafeteria · Monday, Jan. 22, 7 p.m. – MESMS Cafeteria (during the Board of Education meeting) · Thursday, Jan. 25, 10 a.m. – Virtual Session (the link will be accessible on the district’s website on the morning of the meeting) · Thursday, February 1, 10 a.m. – Virtual Session (the link will be accessible on the district’s website on the morning of the meeting) · Monday, Feb. 5, 7 p.m. – MESMS Cafeteria (during the Board of Education meeting) · Thursday, Feb. 8, 7 p.m. – MESMS Cafeteria These sessions offer community members an opportunity to engage with the district and gain insights into the proposed project. The bond vote is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 13, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at French Hill School, 2051 Baldwin Road. Article courtesy Yorktown CSD science research room at Yorktown High School will be upgraded to a larger space that will provide our students with the necessary facility and resources so they may continue to conduct cutting-edge scientific research.” District officials said the current proposal took into account a June 2023 community survey that showed an “overwhelming desire” for investment in safety and security, expanded educational spaces, and updates to existing spaces with no or minimal increase to the tax burden. The following is a breakdown of proposed renovations in Proposition 1 as provided by the school district: Proposition 1 Brookside Elementary School ($9,540,244) • Two-classroom kindergarten addition • Four-classroom third-grade addition • Dedicated special education and small group instruction space • Main entrance security upgrades Mohansic Elementary School ($7,127,470) • Two-story, six kindergarten classroom addition • Dedicated special education and small group instruction space • Main entrance security upgrades Crompond Elementary School ($5,938,850) • Two-story, six-classroom addition • Dedicated space for special education, small group instruction, and offices • Main entrance security upgrades Mildred E. Strang Middle School ($13,724,076) • Renovations to art and music classrooms; home and careers classrooms; and science labs • Replacement of original classroom casework • Upgrades to the main lobby and cafeteria • Renovation of old amphitheater • Removal and replacement of doublestacked lockers • New outdoor basketball and/or pickleball courts for physical education and recess • Enhanced site security lighting • Main entrance security upgrades Yorktown High School ($9,664,360) • Renovations to music wing and art classrooms • Convert robotics lab to science research room; move robotics into current science research room • Add air cooling to music wing • New synthetic turf baseball and multipurpose field • Enhanced site security lighting • Main entrance security upgrades Proposition 2 A second proposition, contingent on the approval of the first, would bring an additional investment of $11 million. This funding would go to improvements to the cafeteria and kitchen at Mohansic Elementary, the construction of another synthetic turf field with a concession/restroom facility, and new scoreboards and upgraded lighting at the athletic complex. According to the district, this proposition would raise homeowners’ taxes by $70 to $83 per year depending on STAR exemptions. Here are some specific numbers provided by the district: Mohansic Elementary School ($1,871,599) • Renovation of cafeteria, servery, and kitchen YCSD Emergency Operations ($491,470) • Installation of a generator at Yorktown High School for backup power to fire alarm, emergency lighting, IT/server equipment, and kitchen equipment refrigeration YCSD Athletic Complex ($8,586,931) • Second multi-purpose synthetic turf field • Concessions and restroom facility • Concrete sidewalks and paved access drive • Scoreboard • Athletic field lighting YCSD FROM PAGE 6 Contact ANTHONY J. ENEA, ESQ. Managing Member • Fluent in Italian 914.948.1500 WHITE PLAINS • SOMERS • WWW.ESSLAWFIRM.COM • Asset Protection • Elder Law • Medicaid Applications (Nursing Home/Home Care) • Guardianships (Contested/Non-Contested) • Wills, Trusts & Estates Past Chair of Elder Law Section of NYS Bar Association “Super Lawyer” In Elder Law for 16 consecutive years CALL NEW YORK’S ELDER LAW TEAM 914.948.1500 When did you last update your last will and testament and power of attorney?
PAGE 8 – YORKTOWN NEWS JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 24, 2024 We see you here. The things you love doing are more than just passions. They’re what make you “you.” This is why at The Bristal, our expert team members dedicate their time, attention, and energy to creating customized social activities that ensure each resident continues being the unique person they are. And, in the process, create the one-of-a-kind community we are, too. Schedule your visit today and see for yourself. THE BRISTAL AT ARMONK | 914.266.3550 THE BRISTAL AT WHITE PLAINS | 914.485.7020 thebristal.com Licensed by the State Department of Health. Eligible for Most Long Term Care Policies. Equal Housing Opportunity. Independent Living | Assisted Living | Memory Care BY EMILE MENASCHÉ EDITOR With the sudden passing of Supervisor Tom Diana, Deputy Supervisor Ed Lachterman will step into the town’s top leadership role on an interim basis while town officials look for a way forward and decide whether and how to fill the vacancy on the Town Board. “Right now the focus will be laying Tom to rest and being there for his wife and family,” Lachterman said. “Since Tom appointed me as his deputy supervisor, I will step in as the acting supervisor for 30 days. During that time, there is a prescribed process for moving forward with an appointment or election of a supervisor. Fortunately, part of Tom’s legacy is the team that he built during his eight-plus years of service in town government. The town has the right people in position to keep Yorktown as the best place to live.” Diana, himself a former deputy supervisor, stepped into the role of supervisor in January 2023 when thenSupervisor Matt Slater took office as a state assemblyman. Last year, the Town Board appointed Mary Capoccia to fill the vacant seat on the board on Jan. 19, 2023. Officials said at the time that the appointment needed to be made before mid-February. Based on a law adopted in 2014, the Town Board may appoint somebody to fill a vacancy on the board within 30 days. If it doesn’t decide within 30 days, it may then call for a special election to fill the vacancy. The board is not required to fill the vacancy, however. Lachterman tapped to fill in as supervisor profound loss for our community. My prayers are with his wife Donna and his family.” Newly inaugurated Councilman Patrick Murphy said he and Diana became close friends during the campaign last year. “I was looking forward to working with him and under his mentorship,” said Murphy. “He was looking forward to his term as supervisor and was especially looking forward to having more time with Donna and his family. This loss creates a deep void.” Whether as a board member or as supervisor, Diana said that his time in town government was rewarding. “I love this town, the people in it, and the job as supervisor,” Diana said before the November election. “Being named the No. 1 safest town in the USA is one of the things I am most proud of. There are numerous things that give me a great feeling of accomplishment, like the revamping of the Town Hall entrance and police department/court entrance, which have been neglected for too long. Others that are noteworthy are the Pines Bridge monument, the opening of Uncle G’s, and The Links/Par3 Golf restaurant and course, to name just a few. We continue the job of road repaving, drainage work, water relining, meter repairs, and replacement, again just to name a few.” Diana’s colleagues in the town government recall a colleague who took his responsibility very seriously, yet did so with a smile on his face. “Serving with Tom was fun, interesting, and educational,” Councilman Sergio Esposito said. “He took his position very seriously and came to work with a passion and love for this town that was self-evident. When he was elected town supervisor you could see how proud he was by the joy on his face, by the way he spoke, and by how he carried himself.” Councilwoman Luciana Haughwout said Diana always came to work bringing positivity and goodwill. “Tom Diana embodied the very essence of leadership, compassion, and love,” Haughwout said. “Throughout his years of service, he exemplified unwavering dedication to our town and a genuine commitment to the well-being of everyone around him. His presence illuminated every room he entered, and his absence leaves an irreplaceable void in our hearts. Yet, as we grieve his loss, let us also celebrate the countless moments of joy, inspiration, and wisdom that he shared with us. His legacy of leadership, compassion, and love will continue to shape our Town of Yorktown and our lives for years to come.” Town Clerk Diana Quast said Diana was easy to work with because he treated everyone with equal respect. “I have known Tommy Diana since 2015 but it wasn’t until he stepped in as supervisor in 2023 that we began a real working relationship,” Quast said. “He was always responsive, respectful, and easy to talk to with not just myself, but my entire staff. I will miss that camaraderie. He was so pleased to have been elected to his first full term as supervisor by the Yorktown residents and was looking forward to a positive, productive two years. We have lost a true Yorktowner and a dedicated public servant. I will miss him greatly.” “Tom will be sorely missed, but we will always have reminders of his contributions to the town to help keep his memory alive,” Lachterman added. “He was a true servant of the people and I am sure that God will hold him close and look over his loved ones in honor of his way too short time on Earth.” “Rest easy Supervisor Diana,” Noble said. “We have the watch from here.” Visitation was held on Monday, at Yorktown Funeral Home in Shrub Oak. A funeral mass was held Tuesday at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, also in Shrub Oak. Sophia Caselnova, Brett Freeman, and Bob Dumas contributed to this article DIANA FROM PAGE 1
JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 24, 2024 YORKTOWN NEWS – PAGE 9 BY EMILE MENASCHÉ EDITOR Lakeland school officials are pushing back against a viral video shared by conservative influencer Libs of TikTok that purports to show a middle school teacher exposing students to adult content and doing nothing to correct the situation. The 10-minute video was posted by X user SageOps, whose handle says was director of undercover operations for activist organization Project Veritas from 2018-2021. It captures a September 2022 hidden camera conversation between an unnamed parent and Copper Beech Middle School science teacher Steven Trinkle about a personality test given to students, that, the parent says, exposed her child to adult content online. The produced video, complete with music, is edited to show screenshots of this content. The parent, who is not identified in the video, calls the online personality test “very disturbing” and goes on to say it was only “made for use for adults” and told her son “what his sexual inclinations would be.” Some critics of the video have identified the parent, but it has not been independently confirmed at this time. School officials said the video was not an accurate representation of the conversation between the parent and Trinkle. “It has come to our attention that a produced TikTok video surfaced on January 5, 2024 that appears to show selected excerpts from a meeting between a parent and District staff from the last school year, 2022-23,” Lakeland Schools Superintendent Dr. Karen Gagliardi said in a written statement. “The content suggests that material harmful to minors was shared with students intentionally as part of our science curriculum and was not addressed. This is not accurate.” Gagliardi said the school did respond to parents’ concerns and launched an investigation. She acknowledged that the website in question did contain links to inappropriate content but said “the sub links were not shared intentionally or as part of the curriculum.” “It was further determined that a linked test review video was not age-appropriate,” she added, noting that links on internet sites change over time. In a letter to Yorktown News, parents Suzanne and Joe Ascanio called the attack on Trinkle politically motivated and linked it to the conservative organization Save our Schools. “Our family is in shock that a beloved veteran teacher such as Mr. Trinkle would be placed on the defensive by [a parent] who has long aligned herself with and been a leader of Moms for Liberty/Save our Schools, Libs of TikTok, etc.,” they wrote. “This is a political attempt to vilify and bring down a respected veteran teacher, which is one of the first and foremost goals of these groups. They mean to make an example of a teacher, scapegoat them publicly into shame, or force them to resign or be fired.” According to Libs of TikTok, school officials failed to act after the content was brought to their attention, a claim Gagliardi rejects. She said the administration met with the parent, involved staff, and its technology department and worked with the district’s internet filtering vendor to immediately block the sites. Lakeland also “thoroughly reviewed” the instructional material and related websites. “Administration and staff handle issues with care and confidentiality when expected,” Gagliardi said. “We do not condone the use of any material not suitable for its age-appropriate audience. Since further enhancing vendor filtering and strengthening internal processes, that issue has since been resolved.” Asked on Tuesday if the district had sent an email to all parents after the incident first came to light, district Director of Communications Heather Novak said: “An en masse email was considered, but after the investigation, it was determined that it was not warranted in this instance for this case.” In her statement over the weekend, Gagliardi emphasized internet safety. “The Lakeland Central School District recognizes that instructional integrity and the proper use of the internet is central to educating our students in a safe and meaningful way,” Gagliardi added. “Administration and staff take all matters seriously. When an issue arises, it is handled promptly and appropriately, and can only serve to enhance the processes in place for filtering, vetting, uses of the Internet, and staff awareness.” Lakeland officials refute ‘inappropriate content’ claims in viral video BY SOPHIA CASELNOVA STAFF WRITER Superintendent Karen Gagliardi provided a 2024-2025 budget development overview at the Lakeland Central School District’s Board of Education meeting on Jan. 4. In the presentation, Gagliardi listed some of the planning considerations for the new school year, including class sizing, ongoing improvements for safety and security, and energy efficiency. It also listed operational efficiency of the bus fleet and long range financial stability. She said that each year, the board approaches the planning process with a list of known considerations. So far, there is a five percent projected increase in health insurance rates, a 9.75 to 10 percent projected range for Teacher Retirement System (TRS) rates, an increase in labor and transportation costs, ongoing capital and energy performance projects, and a 15.2 percent blended rate in employee retirement system. According to the presentation, Lakeland presents budget SEE LAKELAND BOE PAGE 31 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!
PAGE 10 – YORKTOWN NEWS JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 24, 2024 118 N. BEDFORD ROAD, SUITE 100 MOUNT KISCO, NY 10549 ©2024 HALSTON MEDIA, LLC Letters to the editor and op-ed submissions may be edited. The views and opinions expressed in letters and op-eds are not necessarily those of Yorktown 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 (914) 302-5830 BRETT FREEMAN, PUBLISHER EMILE MENASCHÉ, EDITOR TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL, CREATIVE DIRECTOR Editorial Office: (914) 302-5830 [email protected] Yorktown News mourns the passing of Town Supervisor Tom Diana. We send our sincere condolences to all of his family, friends and colleagues. -From all the Staff at Yorktown News & its Parent Company, Halston Media In Memoriam Tom Diana being sworn in surrounded by his family. PHOTO: SOPHIA CASELNOVA Last month I sent a directive to our regular columnists that this newspaper is banning all mentions of “Biden” and “Trump” in 2024. Half our audience hates Biden; the other half hates Trump. There is absolutely nothing new that a community newspaper can bring to light about presidential politics, so there is no reason to discuss it. Being non-partisan remains an important part of our business model and turning off half our audience is not something I choose to do. I will apply this same standard to our letter writers. If you want to write about Biden or Trump, please send it elsewhere. Every national outlet, from The New York Times to the New York Post, from The Wall Street Journal to The Washington Post, is associated with a political party. On TV and the Internet, the partisanship is more pronounced. The outlets all create their own ecosystems, where one side declares a political event to be a scandal and the other side declares it a conspiracy theory. The allegations against the politicians they seek to protect are always unproven, whereas the opposing politicians have always perpetrated the next Watergate. As a news publisher, I’m always astonished by the editorializing and analyses by so-called “objective” national outlets. They can afford to sell newspapers that way, as they have millions of potential subscribers. On the hyper-local level, non-partisanship is key. Of course, every journalist approaches his or her job with their own preconceived notions and world views, which is why diversity of thought is so important in a news room. At Halston Media, a free flow of ideas is essential. Some people on our staff (including me) are more opinionated than others. We do have one person on our staff who holds his cards so close to the vest, I’m convinced he’s either a member of the Whig or Bull Moose Party. It would be playing Russian Roulette if I had to guess which way this person pulls the lever in the voting booth. But I digress. Going back to our new policy about Biden and Trump, it isn’t just about not annoying half our audience. This paper’s New Year’s resolution No mention of Biden or Trump in 2024 Lakeland should stop placating these agendafilled parents Dear Editor, For those not familiar, Libs of TikTok is a national social media account that thrives on dangerous conspiracy theories and hate speech. Its founder is especially known for targeting educators, medical providers and the LGBTQ+ community. The site has been linked to harassment as well as death and bomb threats to teachers, public schools, libraries and hospitals. Not long ago, USA Today ran an article with the headline, “When Libs of TikTok posts, threats increasingly follow.” You might wonder what this has to do with our community. Unfortunately, for the Lakeland Central School District, a lot right now. A local parent, well-known for her relentless attempts to undermine our educators by painting them as indoctrinators and groomers, has sadly brought Libs of TikTok to our front door. This person secretly took video of a meeting between herself, a beloved teacher and a dedicated administrator. While this may be legally allowed under New York’s one-party consent law, it’s certainly not ethical. The issue she raised with them back in September 2022 was absolutely legitimate. Students inadvertently had access to a site with links containing inappropriate content. As Superintendent Dr. Karen Gagliardi noted in a recent email, “the district’s technology department contacted our internet filtering vendor, immediately blocked the sites, and the vetting process of instructional material, including Internet sites, was thoroughly reviewed.” What should’ve been a normal concern raised by a parent, and thoughtfully addressed by the district, has now been weaponized. Through the magic of video editing, this parent created a dangerous false narrative that suggests the content was intentionally taught as part of the district’s curriculum and was “covered up” by the administration. This fabricated nonsense was then posted on the aforementioned hate site, Libs of TikTok. If anyone actually watches the video with a critical eye, they’ll see right through the deception. But, Libs of TikTok caters to those who don’t think, but react. And, this is where it gets dangerous. From that USA Today article: “Philadelphia. Boston. Pittsburgh. Washington, D.C. Akron, Ohio. Threats hit hospitals and medical clinics, and some temporarily evacuate their patients while law enforcement assesses the danger. Then LETTERS BRETT FREEMAN PUBLISHER’S MEMO SEE FREEMAN PAGE 12 SEE LETTERSPAGE 11
JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 24, 2024 OPINION YORKTOWN NEWS – PAGE 11 LETTERS FROM PAGE 10 comes summer and fall 2023, at least two dozen public schools and libraries start receiving bomb threats. In California, Colorado, Oklahoma and Wisconsin, they cancel classes and evacuate students. These cases, and many more, share a common link: The victim of each threat had also been targeted, in the days before, by the enormously popular conservative social media channel Libs of TikTok.” That’s what this parent has brought to our community, to our schools, to our educators and ultimately to our children. A very brave but also scared teacher recently posted about this incident on Facebook. It’s a beautiful statement and it’s clear she’s understandably worried about her colleague, her own career and the entire teaching profession. It’s incredibly sad that she felt she couldn’t name the teacher in her post because she rightfully didn’t want to attract “more unwelcome attention” to him. Similarly, we don’t want to name her in this letter. Yet, both of these teachers, and so many educators, deserve to be publicly celebrated and rewarded, not threatened and pushed out of a profession they love. For far too long this parent, and a small group of others like her, have been calling the shots. We appreciate that the district is standing up now, but they’ve entertained this band of bullies for years. If Lakeland wants to show it values its educators, it will stop placating these agenda-filled parents and publicly push back on their attacks on our teachers, administrators and the entire public education system. We also call on legislators to address flaws in the one-party consent law. There are exceptions under the legislation in which a person can be found guilty if they record another party “for the purpose of degrading or abusing a person” and at “a place and time when such person has a reasonable expectation of privacy.” At a time when our educators are under attack, and many are exiting the profession out of legitimate fears around personal safety, there must be an avenue to help protect them from bad-faith actors who smear professionals, not in the best interest of students, but in an effort to boost their own profile. It’s not an exaggeration to say public education is under assault and teachers are taking the biggest blows. We all need to put an end to it. -Karen Pressman and Jessica Mayes Board of Directors of Lakeland RISE (Residents in Support of Education) In support of teacher vilified by parent who sent video to Libs of TikTok Dear Editor, Our family is in shock that a beloved veteran Lakeland Central School District teacher would be placed on the defensive by a parent, who has long aligned herself with and been a leader of Moms for Liberty/Save our Schools, Libs of Tiktok, etc. The undercover video published by Libs of TikTok is a political attempt to vilify and bring down a respected veteran teacher, which is one of the first and foremost goals of these groups. They mean to make an example of a teacher, scapegoat them publicly into shame or force them to resign or be fired. It is a clear and primary goal of these extremist groups. It is vile and disgusting and transparent what the parent is doing, and the fact that she recorded this meeting and posted it publicly is reprehensible. We are behind the teacher 1,000% and are taking this to the Board of Education and Lakeland Federation of Teachers, and the teacher will be supported and protected, publicly, because the parent made this so very public. We need to make our support of him loud and clear. -Suzanne and Joe Ascanio Parents of two Lakeland students Thank you for generosity of Yorktown Elks Dear Editor, Yorktown Community Help, established in the mid 1960s as an entirely volunteer food pantry dedicated exclusively to Yorktown residents, depends on the generosity of its financial donors. In my role as a director of the Yorktown Community Help Food Pantry, and as a volunteer with the organization for the past 25 years, I have witnessed countless charitable kindnesses. All donations, both large and small, are critically important in support of our mission. In recent years, we have experienced increased financial strains due to higher demands, higher food prices and decreasing contributions. A few months ago, I mentioned these concerns in conversation with Mary DeSilva, whom I had worked for prior to her retirement from the Senior Nutrition Center. Mary and her husband Rich are both longtime senior officers of the Yorktown Elks Lodge, which has been a benefactor of the pantry in the past. So I wasn’t too surprised when I bumped into Rich recently and he told me to come by the Lodge to pick up a donation. But I was NOT prepared for the amount of the check presented to me that night – $6,000! Mary had silently made note of our earlier conversation, and she and Rich championed our cause to their executive board. I am humbly thankful for the generosity of our local Elks Lodge, and for Mary and Rich DeSilva’s efforts on our behalf. -David Humphrey Yorktown Community Help SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO VISIT ONE OF OUR SHOWROOMS TODAY! Your Bath. Your Kitchen. 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More often than not, anyone who writes about Biden or Trump in our opinion pages is simply regurgitating what they heard the night before on CNN or Fox News. The best national political columnists have actual national sources. In his memoir, “The Prince of Darkness,” the late great syndicated columnist Robert Novak spoke about having sources and targets, and if you weren’t his source, you were his target. He also spoke about getting hammered with his sources with drinks over lunch, which is how he loosened the lips of national politicians and had the inside track inside the Beltway. Nobody could ever accuse Novak’s columns of being boring. So, short of actual scoops from our columnists or original analyses from our letter writers (or short of Biden or Trump visiting Northern Westchester or Putnam County), there is no place in these opinion pages for commentary on Biden and Trump. Additionally, as part of our New Year’s resolution, I call on our columnists and letter writers to stick to issues instead of accusing Republicans of this and Democrats of that (which is boring and often a generalization). Spend 20 minutes with someone from the opposing political party, and I promise that you’ll discover areas of agreement on the most important issues of the day. Instead of writing that “Republicans want to kill Social Security” or “Democrats want open borders,” I call on our contributors to instead write about why they think Social Security is something that should be preserved (or not) and why our immigration policy is broken (or not). And of course, with those two topics, there is a lot of nuance inbetween. I also remind all our contributors that you catch more flies with honey. Writing an opinion piece shouldn’t just be about serving red meat to the converted; it should also be about convincing those who may disagree with you. Most importantly, if you can bring all of these issues back to how it impacts your local community, even better. Especially in your hometown community newspaper. Happy New Year! FREEMAN FROM PAGE 10 Writer’s Note: After I submitted this column, I received the terrible news that Supervisor Tom Diana passed away. I’ve known Tom a long time and he always greeted me with a huge smile and a pat on the back. He was a good friend, and my heart is broken by his passing. I send my deepest condolences to his wife Donna and the entire family. Perhaps we can blame it on my advancing years, but whatever the reason, I find myself resistant to change. I have written a New Year’s column dedicated to you, our readers, for the past 12-plus years and even though it’s now almost halfway through January, I insist on keeping up my New Year’s column tradition. So, without further ado, here is the column that I, under the old schedule, would have published for you almost two weeks ago: This past New Year’s Eve, as Auld Lang Syne was sung, I was struck by the mixed messages the song seems to portray. “Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?” I respectfully disagree with the sentiment expressed by this initial line. Old acquaintances should be cherished and remembered. The chorus brings into focus the song’s main sentiment: “For auld lang syne, we’ll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne, and surely you’ll buy your pint cup! And surely I’ll buy mine! And we’ll take a cup o’kindness yet, for auld lang syne.” When this Scottish song and dance was originally performed, it was customary that people sung it while holding hands in a circle. As the last verse begun, everyone crossed their breast, so the right hand reached out to their neighbor on the left and vice versa. As the tune ended, everyone rushed in and then out, reestablishing the circle. This joyous experience evoked many important emotions. As one year leads into the next, we lament the passage of time and, hence, our lives, but also enjoy and celebrate the community of friends and family who comprise the fabric of our lives. It is a moving experience, beautifully blending the individual and the community. Having celebrated the end of the year, and the beginning of the next, let us recognize the fact that every new year presents us with opportunities and fresh starts. Mistakes can be remedied, dreams fulfilled and wounded relationships healed. In a real sense it is that very sentiment that is behind the old tradition of setting a “New Year’s resolution.” We all, at one time or another, have asked ourselves the question: what can I do in the New Year that will somehow make my life better? Even though these self-improvement promises are made with the best of intentions, they usually die a quick, quiet death. But that doesn’t have to be the case. Yes, I know it’s almost halfway through January and if you made a resolution, it’s probably long since abandoned. However, there is no rule A year of possibilities JAMES MARTORANO MY PERSPECTIVE SEE MARTORANOPAGE 14
JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 24, 2024 YORKTOWN NEWS – PAGE 13 Read your local news online now! Scan Me!
PAGE 14 – YORKTOWN NEWS OPINION JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 24, 2024 made of. George Lucciola, Agent 1885 Commerce Street Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 Bus: 914-962-3030 [email protected] elping out roud to ommunity tarts with ghbors who care. That’s what our town is made of. 1201196 State Farm, Bloomington, IL George Lucciola, Agent 1885 Commerce Street Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 Bus: 914-962-3030 [email protected] State Farm® has a long heritage of helping out in the community. That’s why I’m proud to support Yorktown Youth Sports. Get to a better State® . e of. George Lucciola, Agent 1885 Commerce Street Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 Bus: 914-962-3030 [email protected] g out o yho That’s what our town is made of. 1201196 State Farm, Bloomington, IL George Lucciola, Agent 1885 Commerce Street Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 Bus: 914-962-3030 [email protected] State Farm® has a long heritage of helping out in the community. That’s why I’m proud to support Yorktown Youth Sports. Get to a better State® . Community starts with neighbors who care. That’s what our town is made of. State Farm® has a long heritage of helping out in the community. That’s why I’m proud to support Yorktown. Get to a better State®. DR. AMANDA WIECHERT, DMD & DR. FELICIA NICOLAS, DDS. 1855 COMMERCE STREET YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NY 10598 (914) 302-7717 www.northeastdentalny.com [email protected] Dentistrywith the personalizedtouch EXPERIENCETHENORTHEAST DENTAL DIFFERENCE Long-time Yorktown dentist Dr. Amanda Wiechert founded Northeast Dental in 2014, with the idea that patients should be #1. We know that life can be hectic, and our team goes the extra mile to make patients’ care convenient, comfortable, and reliably high in quality. Kids Welcome! that you can’t make a new personal commitment, even at this late date. But what should it be? There are many things we can do to enhance our experience of 2024, both individually and as a society. I still recall the New Year’s resolution I made back in 1969, to improve my level of consciousness. Right after the first of the year, I signed up for a program, which consisted of a series of lectures and workshops in lower Manhattan. The self awareness movement that ran the course was the product of merging gestalt therapy, meditation and Zen. The sessions taught simple things: how to experience the mere act of breathing and how to cut out worries of the past and future, in short, how to be “truly alive and present in the now.” I had an advantage at the time since my background encompassed many of the traditions responsible for the movement. Buddhist psychology, phenomenology, existentialism, transcendentalism and humanism were all familiar to me as I set my sights in the late 1960s on becoming a philosophy professor. That particular “movement” eventually waned, but every decade or so a new book dramatically claims to hold the secret of “really experiencing” life. Jon Kabat-Zinn is a prominent author who cashed in on our insatiable desire to get more out of living while worrying less. Repackaged as “Mindfulness,” Kabat-Zinn, during a 60 Minutes interview, succinctly described the essence of his message: “When your alarm goes off and you jump out of bed, what is the nature of the mind in the moment? Are you already like, “oh my God,” your calendar pops into your mind and you’re driven already, or can you take a moment and just lie in bed and feel your body breathing. And remember, “oh yeah, brand new day and I’m still alive.” So I get out of bed with awareness, brush my teeth with awareness. When you’re in the shower next time, check and see if you’re in the shower.” Considering Jon KabatZinn’s message and weighing the lessons of an extremely difficult 2023, I would like to share with you my thoughts on the New Year’s resolutions I believe we need to entertain in 2024, both on a personal and societal level. From an individual perspective we need to slow down, take a deep breath and just appreciate the magic of being alive. I once came within a hair of drowning. Flailing helplessly as an undertow pulled me out to sea, I was convinced I wasn’t going to make it. When I survived, I made a personal pledge to live my life as fully and as authentically as possible. My mantra became: never take tomorrow for granted. I don’t. With that in mind, we should make it a point to be in touch regularly with relatives and friends! Although it may be the natural byproduct of living into my 70s, this past year I witnessed many of my relatives, friends, colleagues and acquaintances pass away much too young. How often do we wish we could go back in time and say the loving and wonderful things that are too often left unsaid? Today, I never miss an opportunity to tell people that I appreciate them, and how much they mean to me. Now, if you hear from me, it doesn’t mean I think you are about to leave the planet. It just means I cherish our friendship. We need to come together as a community. One of the most alarming changes I have observed during my lifetime is the dramatic rise in the level of contentiousness in our public discourse. Sometimes, in the heat of battle, we forget that we are all in this together. It is important, in 2024 (and every year), that we recognize all we have in common and appreciate the opinions and points of view of everyone, including those we disagree with. It is our responsibility as citizens to work together to make our town, our county, our state, our country, a better place. In a similar vein, it is also critical that we stand firmly against any hateful or dismissive rhetoric or actions. Democracy is not a spectator sport. In 2024, we need to take an active role in supporting a robust dialogue among all the stakeholders while at the same time making it clear that there is no room for calls to hate or violence. Recently, I watched, and thoroughly enjoyed, a Netflix colorized special on World War II. I was struck by how easy it was for hatred and prejudice to spread worldwide, like a pandemic of the soul. We need to commit ourselves to the simple principle that everyone, no matter where they’re from, their religion, race, or ethnic background, needs to be treated with fairness and compassion. So, my friends, as you can see, 2024 offers us many opportunities for growth both personally and collectively. If it seems like I’ve presented too many dictates, let me narrow it down. Personally, the most important lesson that I gleaned from the Old Scottish song is the instruction that we join hands and even join in the famous chorus: “For auld lang syne, we’ll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne, and surely you’ll buy your pint cup! And surely I’ll buy mine! And we’ll take a cup o’kindness yet, for auld lang syne.” A belated Happy New Year to you and your families and may your 2024 be full of cups of kindness! MARTORANO FROM PAGE 12 Advertising Deadline The advertising deadline for Yorktown 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.
JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 24, 2024 YORKTOWN NEWS – PAGE 15 I f you are like me, Jan. 1 comes with lofty goals, such as elimination of cheese and fried food from my diet, and a resolution of exercising at least four days a week. I’m hopeful I’ll make it six weeks! A more permanent goal, and one with very longterm benefits, might be getting your affairs and estate plan in order. Here are a few questions to get you started: 1. Have you created an inventory of all your assets, accounts, safety deposit boxes, retirement accounts, beneficiary designations and digital assets? Throughout your life, you have accumulated a variety of assets that are held and titled in different ways. Creating an inventory of all your assets will not only help you prepare to meet with a financial advisor or estate planning attorney, but will also be invaluable to your family and/ or spouse in the event you are unable to handle your own finances or pass away. 2. Have you reviewed your monthly income needs and created a budget for your expenditures? Does your monthly income cover your expenses? Are you able to save money for retirement, household projects and/or your children and grandchildren? Discussing a budget with your spouse and a plan for your future with your trusted advisors is an excellent way to start the new year. 3. Have you met with an Estate Planning and Elder Law Attorney? Ensuring your estate planning documents are valid and updated can have life-long benefits. Making sure that you have designated an agent to make medical decisions for you in a Health Care Proxy, along with an agent(s) to make financial decisions for you in a Power of Attorney, in the event you are unable to make said decisions yourself. Your Last Will and Testament and if you prefer, a Revocable Living Trust, should be created or updated so as to ensure you have taken advantage of all estate planning options available to you and have properly named the beneficiaries, executors and/or trustees in accordance with your wishes. If your assets are held in a revocable and/or irrevocable trust, upon your death, your loved ones will avoid the need of a probate proceeding. Having a trust can also allow for ease of transition to those you want handling your affairs in the event you become incapacitated and can no longer manage your affairs. In addition to avoiding probate, an Irrevocable Medicaid Asset Protection trust can be used in order to do Medicaid Planning, and thus protect your assets from the cost of long term care. 4. Have you engaged in long term care planning? Understanding and planning for the cost of long-term care will help you determine if and how you will be able to pay for the cost of your long-term care, in the event you need assistance in your home (a home health aide) or in a facility (assisted living facility or nursing home). Paying for long-term care can be done in a variety of ways, including by using your life savings, using long-term care insurance, or taking steps to become eligible for Medicaid benefits. Having a conversation with an Elder Law attorney may be beneficial to determine what your exposure to the cost of your longterm care is, and what steps you can take to minimize said exposure. Happy New Year and Happy Planning! Lauren C. Enea, Esq. is an Associate at Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP. She concentrates her practice on Wills, Trusts and Estates, Medicaid Planning, Special Needs Planning and Probate/Estate Administration. She believes that it is never too early or too late to start planning for your future and she enjoys working with individuals and families to ensure that their estate and long-term care plan best suits their needs. Ms. Enea is on the executive committee of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) Elder Law and Special Needs Section and is also the Co-Editor of the NYSBA Elder Law and Special Needs Section Journal. She is admitted to practice law in New York and Florida. She can be reached at 914-948- 1500. LAUREN ENEA GUEST CORNER New Year’s Resolutions Estate Planning Edition Having a conversation with an Elder Law attorney may be beneficial to determine what your exposure to the cost of your long-term care is, and what steps you can take to minimize said exposure.’ -Lauren C. Enea, Esq. Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP FOCUS ON ELDER LAW
PAGE 16 – YORKTOWN NEWS OPINION JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 24, 2024 Will Rogers never met a man he didn’t like and suburban shoppers never saw an empty storefront they did like. Vacant venues that once contributed to the local economy and to consumer culture are the bane of any proud municipality that is understandably shy about smiling broadly when some of its teeth are missing. Shuttered stores are not unique to any community. They’re everywhere. Ask a random citizen why that is, and you’ll hear responses that put the blame on everything from predatory discount chains to prohibitively pricey rents, to elected officials, to the world’s most powerful unelected official, Jeff Bezos, who delivered the world Amazon. Never is the fickle finger of blame for dormant stores pointed inward, as in, “They’re empty because not enough people like me spent our money there.” But the question remains: Is it strong stores that close weaker stores, or is it shoppers who don’t shop there? Rather than crack wise by telling complainers about empty storefronts to look in the mirror to identify at least one cause of the closures, I decided to do a little digging into the causes. These days, thanks to our all-knowing answer machine, AI, a few keystrokes gets you an instant (if superficial) education in whatever it is you want to know. Shopping Nostalgia Before we hear what ChatGPT has to say about why storefronts go silent, you might be interested in a few remarks I found in a 23-yearold book titled “Going Shopping: Consumer Choices and Community Consequences,” by Ann Satterthwaite (Yale University Press, 2001). Here’s an excerpt from the book’s synopsis … “Shopping used to be a friendly business: shoppers and clerks knew each other, the country crossroads stores and downtown markets were social as much as economic hubs. Shopping was meshed with civic life—post offices, town halls, courts, and churches. In place of this almost vanished scene have come superstores and the franchises of international companies staffed by pressured clerks in featureless commercial wastelands. Shopping and community have been savagely divorced.” The moral of that trip down memory lane in “Going Shopping” is that things change, including the rituals of consumerism. To bemoan that evolution is as helpful and forward-looking as wondering whatever happened to those cows of yesteryear that used to moo around the pasture that was turned into the grounds of the local high school. (You might say the bovines graduated from graze school.) Satterthwaite speaks of “the inherent volatility of retailing,” noting that “Customers’ needs and desires are swayed by unpredictable changes in fashion (and) unpredictable pressures from peers and advertisers. Overstored She wrote, “In the 1980s and 1990s, when retailing was on a high, malls of every size, outlet villages, and commercial strips were popping up everywhere. By the start of the 21st century, the US was supersaturated with stores. With 20 square feet of retail for every person, it was not surprising that stores were in and out of bankruptcy and the 20 to 30 percent of retailing was estimated to be redundant.” That is a market condition known, in trade jargon, as overstored. AI Addresses Empty Stores To gain a more current overview of retailing, I turned to the AI app ChatGPT. I asked it to discuss reasons for the storefront vacancies in medium-size American suburbs like the Hudson Valley. What follows is some of what ChatGPT had to say, lightly edited by yours truly… admittedly, it tends toward the generic and even naive, but it’s worth noting if only to stimulate further conversation among stakeholders, which includes those who pay taxes, those who operate businesses and those who govern. “The sight of empty storefronts has become a cause for concern and contemplation. The allure of our suburbs has long been defined by its friendly neighborhoods, convenience and a unique blend of local businesses. However, the growing number of vacant commercial spaces has become a pressing issue that demands our collective attention. Silent storefronts Transforming vacancies into opportunities BRUCE APAR BRUCE THE BLOG SEE APARPAGE 17 Glasses & Contact Lenses Cortlandt Town Center 3145 East Main Street Mohegan Lake, NY (845) 823-4063 * Valid only at the Mohegan Lake location. Cannot be combined with other discounts, coupon or insurance plans. See associate for details. Offer Expires 12/31/24 Coupon code: YTNEWS502510 Visit americasbest.com to book your eye exam. 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
JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 24, 2024 OPINION YORKTOWN NEWS – PAGE 17 APAR FROM PAGE 16 Online Browsing “There isn’t a solitary cause behind this phenomenon, but rather several socioeconomic shifts. The advent of online shopping has undeniably altered the way people make purchases. The convenience of browsing and buying from the comfort of one’s home, coupled with the allure of competitive pricing, has significantly impacted foot traffic in brick-and-mortar stores. “The economic ramifications of the pandemic have been profound. Small and medium-sized businesses faced unprecedented challenges, navigating shutdowns, restrictions and shifts in consumer behavior. Many of our local enterprises, cherished for their unique offerings and personalized service, struggled to stay afloat amidst the uncertainty. The financial strain led to closures and, subsequently, vacant storefronts that now cast a shadow on our community landscape. “Another pertinent issue is the changing nature of retail and commercial real estate. The rising costs of rent and property taxes in prime suburban locations have made it challenging for smaller businesses to sustain themselves profitably. Landlords and property owners, faced with these economic pressures, sometimes find it more feasible to leave spaces unoccupied rather than compromise on rental rates. The outcome? Shuttered shops that were once hubs of activity and community engagement. Mixed-use Development “However, there are ways to revitalize dormant spaces. Collaboration between local government, property owners and entrepreneurs is paramount. Initiatives such as tax incentives or flexible leasing arrangements could encourage new businesses to set up shop. Additionally, zoning reforms or adaptive reuse programs can facilitate the transformation of vacant spaces into mixed-use developments, incorporating residential units or community spaces. “Supporting local businesses remains a linchpin in this revitalization endeavor. Residents have the power to drive change by consciously choosing to patronize neighborhood stores and eateries. The sense of community fostered by these establishments is irreplaceable. “Fostering an environment conducive to innovation and entrepreneurship also is pivotal. Encouraging the birth of new ventures, whether through business incubators or mentorship programs, can infuse fresh energy to the commercial landscape. Embracing diversity in offerings and experiences could attract a broader demographic, improving sustainability for these businesses in the long run. “Storefront vacancies necessitate a concerted effort, a synergy of ideas and actions, to weave a new narrative for the community. The next step is leveraging our strengths and creativity to transform vacancies into opportunities.” Bruce Apar is a writer, community volunteer and actor. His next performance is in a one-act festival at Gallery Players Theater in Park Slope, Brooklyn, Feb. 1-4. For more information, contact him at 914-275-6887 (text or voice) or [email protected]. 845-279-9555 • TankRemovalServices.com Before you place your home on the market, contact ENVIROSTAR about replacing your aging underground storage tank (UST). It is required by most insurance companies prior to insuring property. We replace above ground tanks as well! Call us today for a free estimate and evaluation of your current above ground tank. WINTER 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 2/29/24 FREE ESTIMATES WE WILL MATCH OUR COMPETITOR’S ADVERTISED OFFER! We are the name you trust for environmental needs Since 1998 DON’T GET CAUGHT WITH AN AGING OIL TANK!
PAGE 18 – YORKTOWN NEWS OPINION JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 24, 2024 I t has always been a point of personal pride for me to underperform on New Year’s Eve. This year I was fast asleep by 10:30 p.m., again missing the ball drop at Times Square. My father always called New Year’s Eve amateur night. In my 20s and 30s, I was always a full participant, frequently crawling home in the wee hours and then paying the price on New Year’s Day with time spent on the couch imbibing “the hair of the dog” to deal with the effects of the previous evening. For those inclined to participate at bars and restaurants on New Year’s Eve, they can usually expect to pay a heavy premium. Applebee’s at Times Square was charging $800 a seat for the privilege of having a front row seat to watch the action. Apparently, there is a market for that. I have to admit that I’m curious about the appeal of the Times Square experience for the ball drop. It’s on my list to do it once; just not very high on the list. Then there is the pressure and tradition of New Year’s resolutions. A recent survey by Forbes Health found that 62% of respondents said that they feel pressured to set a New Year’s resolution. Women feel more pressure than men by a few percentage points. Younger adults were more likely to make a resolution (59% of those ages 18 to 34 versus 19% of those older than 55). Another survey found that resolution setting may be more of an American thing, since only 12% of those in Sweden are in the habit of making New Year’s resolutions. Not surprisingly, improving fitness, losing weight and improving diet are at the top of the list for resolutions. That may explain the non-stop barrage of advertisements coming from gyms and weight loss programs this time of year. Improving mental health also hit the top five for desired improvements for 2024. At the bottom of the list were “perform better at work” and “drink less.” Both came in at 3%. I guess people spend a good bit of time during the holidays drinking and not thinking about work. That’s healthy, right? Interestingly, one of my friends at the dog park said that she has resolved to drink more during the new year. Since reading the article about the survey, I am being followed around the Internet with ads for Talkspace, an online therapy service, suggesting I need a therapist. Maybe they know something I don’t. I am sure Noom, Weight Watchers and Nutrisystem will be following me soon as well. Although over 60% of respondents say that they feel pressure to make a resolution, only 40% actually take the step of making resolutions. Kudos to the 20% that were able to resist. So how well do those making resolutions perform? Sadly, only 6% of respondents said that they were still sticking with their resolutions 12 months later. According to the Forbes, “failing at New Year’s resolutions is so common that there’s even a slew of (unofficial) dates commemorating such failures — some sources cite “Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day” as Jan. 17, while others denote the second Friday in January as “Quitter’s Day.” Here’s to the quitters! I’ve always felt like I operated better in an environment with low expectations. So my lack of resolutions has set me on a path for success in 2024. For those of you who have raised the bar for the year ahead, may you be among the 6% that make it to the end. Happy New Year! Rejecting resolutions and embracing success Happily Ever After DON SCOTT IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Contact Us Yorktown News is located at 118 N. Bedford Road, Suite 100, Mount Kisco, NY 10549. You can contact us at 914-302-5830 or email [email protected]. Law Offices of Joseph J. Tock 963 Route 6, Mahopac, NY 10541 TOCKLAW.COM • 800-869-8080 CRIMINAL DEFENSE/DWI • PERSONAL INJURY REAL ESTATE • BUSINESS LAW • WILLS, TRUSTS, ESTATES, PROBATE ‘ The collective background Joe & his team bring forth is that of expertise, dedication and compassion. ~C.K.
JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 24, 2024 OPINION YORKTOWN NEWS – PAGE 19 Well, beat the drum and hold the phone The sun came out today We’re born again, there’s new grass on the field... -John Fogerty “Centerfield” Well, Saturday night it snowed for the first time since 1965. I didn’t care. That’s one of the positive sides of being homebound and a non-driver. As long as the weather doesn’t knock a tree onto my house or cut off the power, internet, or cable, I don’t give a fig about what goes on out there. Eighty degrees and sunny with cute fluffy clouds gliding by in the breeze, or an apocalyptic nor’easter stranding hundreds on the interstate in sub-zero temperatures—it doesn’t matter to me. It’s all the same from here. So, as I write this, I am looking out my living room window at a vast blanket of glistening whiteness sprawled before me in the dusty-gray chilly twilight and I can’t help but think of one thing. Baseball. It’s not just the game itself, it’s what it represents to me. And the first thing it represents— most importantly—is warm weather. Usually, at some significant milestone during the winter months (Christmas, New Year’s, the first snowfall), one of my baseball friends will cheekily remark something such as, “Well, only 45 days until pitchers and catchers report.” They’re referring to Major League Baseball (MLB) spring training where pitchers and catchers must report a week or two ahead of the rest of their teammates. Knowing when pitchers and catchers report is a sure sign that winter is well on its way to hospice care. But you are probably thinking, “Bob, didn’t you just say you don’t care what the weather is like because you’re stuck indoors?” OK, well, first of all... shut up. But secondly, I like summer because the house isn’t constantly chilly, I can get fresh produce from the garden and farmers markets, and it’s a nicer view out my window during the summer—not looking like it does now... the cold, desolate landscape of a dead planet on the outskirts of the galaxy. Plus... in the summer we get baseball. After all, they’re called the Boys of Summer for a reason. Now, I don’t want to go too far off on the baseball thing because this is not (usually) a sports column. But over the years, the game and its language have sort of become a metaphor for life: Three-strike law (felonies); that’s a home run (a successful idea); a curve ball (a tricky question); a soft ball (an easy question); that came out of leftfield (something caught you off-guard); getting to second base (well, you know). The Little League in our town used to take all the players and coaches to a Mets or Yankee game every summer. They would alternate each year between Yankee and Shea stadiums. My dad was a Little League coach for 18 years, so even before I was eligible to play, I got to go on the bus with the “big kids” and go to a game. There are two things I remember most about those adventures: 1. The overwhelming smell of diesel fuel as the bus sat rumbling in the parking lot next to dozens of other running diesel buses as we waited to disembark. 2. How incredibly green the grass on the field was. It was like it was so green that your brain couldn’t comprehend it if you’d never seen it before. And with our front yard... trust me when I say I’d never seen it before (sorry, Dad). Another sensory experience that I associate with baseball and summer was when on a lazy summer weekend afternoon, someone in the neighborhood had a ballgame playing on their transistor radio. (If you were born after 1990, you probably don’t know what a transistor radio is.) You might not see them or even be able to tell exactly where it was coming from due to some weird acoustic anomaly, but you heard it—distant and tinny but with a familiar cadence and rhythm. You might not even be able to discern what the announcers were saying and who was playing, but you could definitely tell it was a baseball game, and that was immediately comforting and relaxing. The other thing I liked about baseball was that no two fields were the same. We have Fenway Park in Boston, which pretty much looked the same as it did in 1925; we have Wrigley Field in Chicago, which once had no lights so they couldn’t play night games; we had the Astrodome in Houston, which was space-age modern (for the times) and had huge dimensions. In fact, the dimensions of a field varied from park to park, unlike the other major sports such as basketball and football, which had hardand-fast dimensions that were the same no matter what city or arena you were in. The other thing I adored about baseball is it was the only sport that didn’t utilize a clock, unlike games like soccer where the clock, for some reason, runs backward. At least baseball used to be the only sport without a clock. Last season, MLB added what they call the “pitch clock.” (Players now have 30 seconds between batters to resume play.) The idea was to speed up the pace of the game, as game lengths were spiraling past three and a half hours. So... what were players doing now that they weren’t doing 30 years ago that was slowing down the pace? Actually, they weren’t doing anything different. The reason game lengths were increasing was because MLB and the broadcast channels they worked with were trying to squeeze in more and more commercials between innings. It never dawned on them that if they cut back on the number of commercials, game times would be shorter. (They will even run commercials in a little picturein-picture box while the game is in progress.) Well, it probably did dawn on them, but they would never consider eliminating something that was bringing in more revenue. All (Every. Single. One.) decisions made by professional sports are based solely on what will generate the most money - not what is best for the game and the fans. So, why haven’t we heard before, that lengthy baseball games are a problem? Say hello to Gen Z—kids in their teens and early 20s. They have the attention span of a fruit fly, so they view any sporting event that goes past two and a half hours as an affront to their personal dignity, which could trigger their anxiety and make them retreat to their safe space. The next thing you know, they will demand that pitchers should never throw the ball more than 60 mph because anything faster would seem too aggressive and mean. As I said... baseball is a metaphor for life. It just might not be the life you want to lead. The joys of summer BOB DUMAS OUT OF MY HEAD Russell Girolamo Jr. Stephanie Girolamo Burke Jennifer Thorp Auto | Home | Business | Life (914) 962-9777 www.girolamoagency.com 60 YEARS IN BUSINESS EST. + 1962 Russell Girolamo Jr. Stephanie Girolamo Burke Jennifer Thorp Auto | Home | Business | Life (914) 962-9777 www.girolamoagency.com 60 YEARS IN BUSINESS EST. + 1962
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ARY 11 - JANUARY 24, 2024 PAGE 21 Tom Diana as Santa Claus in the 2023 holiday parade Tom Diana enjoying a vanilla dipped cone from Mister Softee Town Supervisor Tom Diana speaking at the SOAC Softball opening ceremony before throwing out the first pitch. L to R: Supervisor Tom Diana, Pete the Cat, and Police Chief Robert Noble at John C. Hart Library. Town Supervisor Tom Diana gets his hands dirty planting trees with the Tree Commission. PHOTOS: SOPHIA CASELNOVA (914) 248-6220 Progressive-Vet.com 268 Route 202 • Somers, NY 10589 Does your pet need an Ultrasound or Echocardiogram? Say goodbye to long wait times and uncertainties! Introducing a revolutionary pet healthcare solution — QuickScan Pet Ultrasound! INDEPENDENTLY OWNED & OPERATED SPEEDY DIAGNOSIS CONVENIENCE EXPERT ANALYSIS CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY PEACE OF MIND Your pet’s health matters to us, and with QuickScan Pet Ultrasound, we’re committed to providing the fastest and most reliable diagnostic service available. DON’T WAIT—give your pet the care they deserve with QuickScan Pet Ultrasound today! BUYING ONLY 845-628-0362 WE WILL COME TO YOU! 53 WE BUY: YEARS! Gold • Sterling Silver Jewelry • Coins Paintings • Bronzes Clocks • Collectibles Antiques • ETC. Items for sale? Call us! The Consumer’s Choice for Discount Heating Oil! SAVE WITH OUR LOW C.O.D. PRICES! sTom Diana and his wife Donna
PAGE 22 – YORKTOWN NEWS JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 24, 2024 BY MIKE SABINI CONTRIBUTING WRITER All league openers are important but when Yorktown hosted Byram Hills on Jan. 3, it meant more than most. That’s because Yorktown entered the game as the No. 12 Class AA team in the state, with Byram Hills being ranked No. 10 in Class A. A tenacious defensive effort saw the Huskers give up just 31 points in the final three quarters of this heavyweight showdown to lock down a statement 59-50 win, their seventh in a row. “Every league game is important, you don’t get too many of them,” said Yorktown coach Mark Pavella. “They are a wellcoached team with talented players. I was especially happy with our defensive effort in the last three quarters of the game.” Offensively, Yorktown’s wellbalanced scoring attack was highlighted by Kaden Gonzalez (16 points), Brandon Montero (15 points), and Billy Feeks (14 points). “That’s what makes it tough to guard us, when we are sharing the basketball and multiple guys are putting the ball in the hoop,” Pavella said. “It’s important that we continue to do those things.” Montero scored all of his points in the first half. “I was just being aggressive,” Montero said. “My teammates were able to find me when I was open. There were open looks and open passes, which helped me a lot. Every time I’m cutting, they always see me. The momentum will go how I go. If I just set the tone early, they (his teammates) follow me and believe in me.” Montero’s jumper with just seconds remaining before halftime put Yorktown up 32-29, finishing a 14-2 run. “It was really big,” Montero said. “My teammates will let me know when I make a shot like that, they told so in the locker room (at halftime). I feel like the momentum switched right there. We were losing the whole first half and for us to be up by three at halftime was amazing.” Byram Hills scored the first basket of the third quarter before back-to-back 3-pointers by Gonzalaz and Feeks put Yorktown up 38-31. “That was important to set the tone early in the second half,” Feeks said. “We entered the half strong, playing better in the second quarter than we did the first quarter. We knew at that point that we had to keep our foot on the gas.” Later on in the third quarter, Feeks scored on a driving layup, giving Yorktown a 44-33 advantage. “We were just trying to attack in transition as much as we could,” Feeks said. “We realized we were getting out more than them and we just took advantage of it. That was the key to the game in the second half.” Yorktown ended the third stanza with two Gonzalez’ baskets, giving the Huskers a 50-36 lead. “It felt really good to keep are momentum going after halftime, going up by 14,” Gonzalez said. Yorktown outscored the Bobcats 18-7 in the third quarter. “We just stuck to our game plan defensively, we rebounded the ball really well, Ryan Duffy came up with some big rebounds inside for us,” Pavella said. After a Byram Hills’ hoop late in the game, Pavella called time out, and Gonzalez scored afterwards to put Yorktown up 57-46. “The time out allowed us just to regroup, to make sure that we didn’t lose our focus, and it helped us get back together,” Gonzalez said. “The bucket was big, which came about because of the ball movement, which allowed us to drain the (shot) clock out.” Justin Price (8 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists) and Duffy (6 points) also scored for Yorktown. “It was a big game to win but I feel that every game for us is a big game,” Montero said. “We play every game going 110 percent. Every game we are just mentally prepared and have the same mindset, to play as a team and win the game.” Yorktown (7-2) finished the week on Jan. 5 with a 65- 49 loss to Mamaroneck in the Slam Dunk Showcase at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, led by Gonzalez (10 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists), Feeks (10 points), and Duffy (6 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists). Yorktown wins heavyweight battle Stingy D helps state-ranked Huskers stop Byram The Huskers’ Kaden Gonzalez attacks the basket. PHOTOS: ROB DIANTONIO BASKETBALL
JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 24, 2024 SPORTS YORKTOWN NEWS – PAGE 23 BY MIKE SABINI CONTRIBUTING WRITER Revenge was clearly on the mind of Lakeland guard Sean Perry, whose team lost at home to sister school Walter Panas 70- 60 last year in the annual Giglio Games, the all-day affair between the two rival schools. Perry helped his team avenge that loss by recording a teamhigh 12 points and 4 assists in a 53-28 victory against visiting Panas on Jan. 5. “Last year they beat us in the Giglio Games, so we had to come out and get a statement win,” Perry said. “We came in, we played great defense. We executed well, we ran our stuff. We started in a zone, then we broke off the zone. We knew what we were doing with our offense, we found the open holes, we distributed the ball, and made our shots.” While it was important for Lakeland to avenge that loss, Lakeland coach Steve Fallo said that this is a different year. “It’s huge (to win), any time you play Panas,” Fallo said. “Panas-Lakeland is a great battle. Records don’t matter, what happened before doesn’t matter. Obviously, you say look, we lost the last time we were here, but different season, different group of guys. It’s just come and compete.” Fallo was especially happy with his team’s defensive performance. “Our defense was awesome tonight,” the coach said. “We shut down (Tyler) Greene for the most part, he’s such a terrific player and we handled the big guy (Logan Tolbert) underneath, so it was all defensive effort. Then we scored enough to win the game.” Lakeland rode Perry’s 6 firstquarter points to an 11-6 lead at the end of the first stanza. “I knew that this was a big game for us, especially what happened before the break (a loss at Somers),” Perry said. “We had hard practices throughout the week. We knew we had to come out of the second half of the season with a lot of energy and get things going.” Perry is the one Lakeland looks to get things going. “Sean is so dynamic as a player,” Fallo said. “He just causes havoc with defenses and when he’s on and doing the right thing, driving, layup, or kicking out. He’s a special player, he really is.” Lakeland led 23-10 at halftime but a Panas’ hoop and free throw immediately cut that lead in the third quarter. However, Lakeland answered quickly when Logan Crilly (5 points, 8 rebounds) registered his own field goal and foul shot, followed by two baskets from Perry, putting Lakeland up 30-13. “At the end of the first half, we weren’t scoring that well, we had like 10 possessions where we didn’t score,” Perry said. “We knew in the second half that we were going to come out with a lot of energy and put some points on the board. So we came in the second half and got some momentum going.” That momentum continued into the fourth quarter. Lakeland scored the first eight points, including 3-pointers from John Bartolotta (8 points, 4 rebounds) and Grady Leonard (8 points), with two Leonard free throws in between, giving the Hornets a 43-24 advantage. “We wanted to make sure we extended the lead because they’re a tough team, especially with those two players they have,” Fallo said. “No lead is safe, because Greene can get hot from three and the big guy (Tolbert) can put the ball in the basket. So it was huge...extending the lead from 11 to 19. And then you get into a little bit of a comfort zone because you’ve got the lead with a short amount of time on the clock.” Ryan Tocci (8 points), Gavin Morales (4 points), Anthony Attanasio (3 points), Robert Pagliaro (3 points), and Ovi Rodriguez (2 points) also scored for the Hornets with teammates Ryan Ahmed, Nick Ferrante, and Aryan Sandu seeing playing time as well. The much-anticipated rematch will be on Feb. 3, when Panas hosts Lakeland in this year’s Giglio Games. “We are going to have to play them again in a month and it’s going to be a battle again,” Fallo said. Lakeland (5-5) started the new calendar year with a 55-50 triumph at Hendrick Hudson on Jan. 3, led by Perry (17 points), Leonard (14 points), and Tocci (12 points). Hornets get revenge vs. Panas Great defensive effort ignites LHS Lakeland’s Logan Crilly grabs a rebound. PHOTOS: ROB DIANTONIO The Hornets’ John Bartolotta fires a three from the wing. BOYS BASKETBALL 3379 Crompond Rd (in the BJs Plaza) Yorktown Heights, NY 914.930.5550 afcurgentcare.com/yorktown-heights M-F: 8am-8pm, S-S: 8am-5pm Your to-do list doesn’t care if you’re under the weather. Balancing work and health is crucial. If sickness does sneak up on you, we’re right around the corner with fast, walk-in care to get you back to your to-do list. We focus on your health so you can focus on you, because nobody cares like family. We’re open every day with extended hours to fit your schedule. No appointments needed. Apply Now for 2024-25 Priority Deadline Jan. 15 WHERE STUDENTS BECOME THEIR BEST SELVES. Grades 6–12 with 5-day boarding for 9–12 in Katonah, NY harveyschool.org/apply
PAGE 24 – YORKTOWN NEWS SPORTS JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 24, 2024 BY MIKE SABINI CONTRIBUTING WRITER BYSNS ICE HOCKEY (4-4) BYSNS 9, Cortlandt 4 Friday, Jan. 5, Brewster Ice Arena Brewster/Yorktown/Somers/ North Salem (BYSNS) started the new calendar year with a 9-4 triumph versus Cortlandt, which gave the Bisons their fourth victory in a row after an 0-4 start. “It’s a big win coming out of the break,” said BYSNS coach John Veteri. “It’s always nice to get the W against a league rival.” The win came about because of a great team effort. “We had contributions from the top to bottom,” Veteri said. “Dylan Weber (29 saves) played great for us in net.” Sean Mansfield (19 saves) and Brandon DiBenedetto (2 saves) manned the net for the Rebels. Cortlandt’s Sean Foley (2G) scored the first goal of the game, assisted by Jack Jimenez (1G, 2A) and Ryan Rosenbaum before the Bisons answered on a goal from Matteo Guastadisegni (3G), with an assist from James Munoz (1G, 1A). A goal by Jason Piccirillo, courtesy of a Nate Garofalo assist, put the Rebels back up 2-1. “We got off to a 2-1 lead was because of our jump on the puck right from the first whistle,” Jimenez said. “We were on them in the offensive zone and causing havoc and we got two quick ones because of that.” BYSNS then ran off three straight goals to finish the scoring in the opening period. Guastadisegni, off an assist from Jack Lukse (2A), Kaden Krempler (1G, 2A), with an assist from Lucas Salvatore (3G, 2A), and Salvatore, with the assist on his goal coming from AJ Jones (1G, 3A) all contributed to the Bisons’ scoring spree. BYSNS outscored the Rebels 3-1 in the second period. Jimenez then scored in the third period, courtesy of assists from Garofalo (2A) and Vincent Ofrias, to cut the Bisons’ lead to 7-4. “It felt good to score,” Jimenez said. “It was a great screen from my linemates and I was able to put the rebound in and finally move a little momentum to our side but I knew we needed more chances and opportunities to put more in the net. I thought we played very well as a team, we just needed to finish our chances. The goalie on BYSNS played a great game for them and made it tough on us all night.” BYSNS was able to hold off the Rebels from there and will look for its fifth straight win when it plays Pawling at the Brewster Ice Arena at 6:15 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12. BYSNS wins fourth in a row YHS girls hoops top Byram AJ Jones chases a loose puck for the BYSNS as Cortlandt’s Jack Jimenez defends. PHOTO: ROB DIANTONIO VARSITY ROUNDUP SEE ROUNDUPPAGE 25 17 Miller Rd. Mahopac 845-621-1222 RooneyOrtho.com Rooney Orthodontics Children & Adults FOR ALL YOUR PLUMBING, HOT WATER HEATER & GAS NEEDS 60 Years of Excellence Putnam & Westchester County’s Premier Plumbing Professionals Since 1964 719 Rte. 6, Mahopac, NY 10541 • 845.628.3924 • beeandjay.com TAKE $25 OFF YOUR NEXT SERVICE CALL! VALID ON CALLS OVER 1 HOUR. EXPIRES 1/31/24 Cheers to a Bright Beginning!
JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 24, 2024 SPORTS YORKTOWN NEWS – PAGE 25 “Continuing to play as a team and staying disciplined on what we can control,” said Veteri, on what his team has to do to continue its winning streak. Cortlandt (6-5) will resume play the same day and location at 4 p.m. against Horace Greeley. “We have a full week of practice next week to touch on a couple things and we are excited for another chance to get back out there on Friday,” Jimenez said. John Gannon also recorded an assist for the Rebels. YORKTOWN GIRLS BASKETBALL (3-2) Yorktown 33, Byram Hills 26 Wednesday, Jan. 3, Byram Hills High School Yorktown used a great all-around defensive effort to propel itself to a 33-26 victory against Byram Hills in its league opener, led by Ava Costello (8 points, 6 steals, 1 charge), Liv DelGaudio (8 points, 15 rebounds), and Lexi Livadhi (7 points, 11 rebounds). “Winning our first league game means a lot to our team,” Costello said. “We put ROUNDUP FROM PAGE 24 TO HELP NOW SCAN HERE FEEDINGWESTCHESTER.ORG THIS AD IS DONATED BY ENEA, SCANLAN & SIRIGNANO, LLP ATTORNEYS AT LAW - 914.948.1500 Cortlandt’s Jack Jimenez looks to get past the BYSNS’ Jack Lukse, with teammate Lucas Salvatore backchecking. The BYSNS’ Ryan Dean makes his move in win over Cortlandt. PHOTO: ROB DIANTONIO SEE ROUNDUPPAGE 26
PAGE 26 – YORKTOWN NEWS SPORTS JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 24, 2024 in a lot of work and effort during practice and it paid off. Our defense played very well. We were communicating with each other, which definitely helped us play as well as it did defensively.” LAKELAND GIRLS BASKETBALL (4-2) Hen Hud 63, Lakeland 50 Wednesday, Jan. 3, Lakeland High School Lakeland’s Nichole Ljuljic and Ava Lugo tallied 12 points apiece in the Hornets’ 63-50 loss to Hendrick Hudson. LAKELAND/PANAS WRESTLING (4-8) Eric D’Agnese Memorial Wrestling Tournament Saturday, Jan. 5, Somers High School Lakeland/Panas’ Dan Horowitz (101 pounds, fourth place), Bryan DePascale (131, fourth), Matt Clyman (138, fifth), Owen McManus (108, sixth), Zach Morey (170, sixth), and Dan Hurley (285, sixth) placed for the Rebels at the Eric D’Agnese Memorial Wrestling Tournament. Steven Sommovigo (124), Matt Sanchez (131), Tim Mooney (160), Shane Spielberg (170), and Joey DeSantis (190) earned wins and points as well for Lakeland/Panas. “We had a really nice day today, with six individual place finishers and eighthplace finish out of 22 as a team,” said Lakeland/Panas coach Dave Bergen. “I was very proud of how we wrestled.” Yorktown also had three grapplers place in Dom DeBellis (101 pounds, fifth), Nick Duran (152, sixth), and Colin Sheridan (145, sixth). “We had some of our newer kids over there today to get some experience, they did well,” said Yorktown assistant coach Chris Pyle. Yorktown (15-4) also had wrestlers competing at the Wildcat Duals at Warwick Valley High School the same day, going 1-4 against some of the toughest competition in the region. LAKELAND BOYS BOWLING (41-15) Panas 4, Lakeland 3 Wednesday, Jan. 3 Lakeland was nipped by sister school Walter Panas 4-3, with Mike Antonucci (236, 620), Austin Kara (211, 601), Vinny Benedetto (195, 530), TJ Conti (216, 511), and Keaton Wolf (189, 494) leading the Hornets. Lakeland 5, Ossining 2 Thursday, Jan. 4 Antonucci (216, 639), Kara (204, 395), Wolf (211, 357), Zachary Kristensen (142, 256), Danny Park (150, 263), Sergio Hormazabal (124, 248), and Conti (181) led Lakeland to a 5-2 triumph against Ossining. “Our team was able to come away with the win thanks to our great team chemistry,” Antonucci said. “We were able to rotate our players in and out in each of the three games but we were propelled by our overall confidence in each other to pull away with the win.” YORKTOWN BOYS BOWLING (39-17) Yorktown 7, North Salem 0 Wednesday, Jan. 3 Matthew Kirey (242, 663), Finn Larsen (178, 505), Joseph Mana (169, 488), Dylan Katz (155, 413), Kyle Cavalieri (158, 265), and Matt Morello (152) paced Yorktown in a 7-0 shutout versus North Salem. “Beating North Salem advances us to the top four teams that compete for sectionals,” Kirey said. “We need all the points we can get to achieve our goal. As one of our best bowlers was out, we still had to pull out a victory, winning all seven points. Trying our hardest is the best way to win mentally and physically. We are now closer to qualifying for sectionals.” Panas 5, Yorktown 2 Thursday, Jan. 4 Yorktown fell to Walter Panas 5-2, led by Matthew Kirey (275, 690), Kevin Kirey (228, 574), Larsen (192, 528), Morello (130), and Katz (128). LAKELAND GIRLS BOWLING (21-35) Panas 7, Lakeland 0 Wednesday, Jan. 3 Arielle Ascanio (145, 351), Danna Erraez (122, 300), Vielka Toxqui (92, 221), Jovana Sedek (68, 169), and Mia Butler (68) led Lakeland in its 7-0 loss to Walter Panas. Lakeland 7, Ossining 0 Thursday, Jan. 4 Kerry Pike (150, 401), Ascanio (132, 344), Erraez (118, 311), Toxqui (107, 186), Sedek (78, 149), and Janessa DeJesus (101, 154) helped Lakeland blank Ossining 7-0. “We’ve had a lot of practice throughout the season,” Pike said. “A lot of the girls are new but they’ve done really well. We all work together really well. Especially after the break, we got the rest we needed, again we worked together and got the job done.” YORKTOWN GIRLS BOWLING (52-4) Yorktown 5, North Salem 2 Wednesday, Jan. 3 Kailey O’Connell (171, 476), Ciara O’Brien (150, 389), Brianne Finnegan (111, 314), Sheridan Gorman (125, 196), Zoe Yau (98, 192), and Akshyasree Ravi (113, 184) led Yorktown to a 5-2 victory against North Salem. Yorktown 7, Panas 0 Thursday, Jan. 4 O’Connell (210, 558), O’Brien (141, 394), Finnegan (115, 339), Gorman (110, 327), Eryckah Barragan (143, 228), and Ravi (98) ignited Yorktown to a 7-0 win against Walter Panas. “Well we just had our holiday break so the team came back refreshed and relaxed,” O’Connell said. “We worked on staying focused and not getting inside our own heads. I think all of that ultimately led to our win against Panas.” All bowling events took place at Cortlandt Lanes ROUNDUP FROM PAGE 25 The Huskers’ Ava Costello in earlier action, helped lead Yorktown to a win over Byram. PHOTO: SARAH QUARTO Lakeland’s Ava Lugo, seen in previous action against Yorktown’s Lexi Livadhi, reached double figures in the Hornets’ loss to Hen Hud. PHOTO: MIKE DIANTONIO
JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 24, 2024 SPORTS YORKTOWN NEWS – PAGE 27 914.455.2158 SpirelliElectric.com • [email protected] Specializing in residential & commercial services. Licenses in Westchester, Putnam CREATING CUSTOMERS FOR LIFE Family Owned—Over 40 Years Experience! $25 OFF Service Calls When You Present This Ad. New Customers Only. Keep the lights on. • GENERATORS • Outdoor Lighting • Smart Home Setup • Electric Car Chargers AND ALL OF YOUR ELECTRIC NEEDS! BY MIKE SABINI CONTRIBUTING WRITER Lakeland senior quarterback Grady Leonard put up big numbers, passing at a 66 percent clip (142-216), while throwing for 2,040 yards and 24 touchdowns this past season. Leonard finished with 3,600 passing yards and 40 passing touchdowns and totaled over 4,000 allpurpose yards and 47 touchdowns in his two varsity seasons as a starter. He was named All-Section and All-League as a senior and AllConference and All-League as a junior. Leonard was one of the Hornets’ captains this season, along with Kyle Gallagher, DJ Brody, and Nick Jurado. That group helped the No. 5 Hornets (6-4) get their first playoff win since 2009, a 34-21 triumph at No. 4 Pearl River in the quarterfinals of the Section 1 Class B Tournament. Leonard is also a guard on the varsity boys basketball team, for which he is in his third year playing this winter. Last season, he was named All-League for a Hornet squad that made its first postseason appearance at the Westchester County Center in White Plains since 2009. What did it mean to get the first playoff win in football for Lakeland since 2009? Since I’ve been around, Lakeland has never been looked at a s a football school, so being able to get into the playoffs and get a win means a lot to me, as well as the team, and the whole program. We’re hoping that we stepped in the right direction and the program can keep getting better. How old were you when you started playing football and what got you started? I started playing football as early as flag football in elementary school. All my friends were doing it and my family were football fans, so it wasn’t a question that I’d try it out. What was your favorite thing about being on the football team at Lakeland? It was having the same group as I did when I was little. Being able to play with the same group and grow together meant a lot to me What was your favorite team activity or pregame or postgame ritual shared with your teammates? I would say getting food with friends after school on gameday would be my favorite thing. Who has been your biggest role model over the years and what have you learned from them? My dad has definitely been my role model all my life, I’ve learned so much from him and always look to him whenever anything goes wrong or if I need help with anything. He’s taught me many things in sports as well as how to compete. He is also my biggest supporter and is always there for me and it means the world to me. Tell us one thing about yourself that not a lot of people know? In the future, I want to be really good at golf. Do you know what you want to study in college, what school, and do you plan to continue to play football? I plan on going into finance. I don’t know what school I am going to go to but I do plan on playing football in college. Name your favorite athlete/ sports team... My whole family and I are all Jets fans, although my favorite player is [Philadelphia Eagles QB] Jalen Hurts. What was your favorite music to listen to while warming up for a game? I never really had a specific type of music that I’d listen to before a game. We’ve always had all different types of music in the locker room before a game. If you could have one superpower, what would it be? It would definitely be the ability to fly. It’s pretty basic but I think it’d be really cool to fly around from place to place. I’m often running late in the mornings trying to get into school so it would really help me out If you could pick one place to visit on vacation that you’ve never been to, where would you go? I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii. I’ve never been before and I’ll catch myself looking at different places or beaches in Hawaii from time to time that look so nice and it’s somewhere I really want to go in the future What was your favorite food to eat before or after a game? One of my favorite things to eat before a game was an Italian combo. Basically every Friday before a game I’d go to a deli and get one. Best place to eat in Yorktown? I’m a big fan of Pow! Burger. I really like burgers and think they’re very solid. What’s the go-to app on your phone? Around this time of year it would be fantasy football. Coming up around fantasy playoffs I’m usually on it a whole lot. What would you say to a young athlete thinking about trying out for the Lakeland football team? I would say do it. Going through all the off-season workouts and doubles and film and everything may seem like a lot, but you got a really good staff and you’re going through it with all your friends So it goes fast, and once it’s all done you’re going to miss it right away. Lakeland’s Lakeland quarterback Grady Leonard helped the Hornets to their first playoff win since 2009 in 2023. The Hornets’ Grady Leonard attacks the basket against Panas in last week’s win. PHOTOS: ROB DIANTONIO ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT Grady Leonard lights it up on the field and court
PAGE 28 – YORKTOWN NEWS SPORTS JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 24, 2024 WHY DO WE ADVERTISE IN HALSTON MEDIA’S TO ADVERTISE WITH US, CALL BRETT FREEMAN AT (845) 208-8151 LOCAL NEWSPAPERS? “The saying goes, “shop local.” There is nothing like the local paper in the town you live in and love. My clients enjoy seeing the updated real estate news. We are blessed to still have a local newspaper delivered to our homes. Yorktown News is where you find everything about Yorktown: the good, the bad and the news.” Douglas Dill Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker Houlihan Lawrence Yorktown 914.671.7730 BY TOM WALOGORSKY CONTRIBUTING EDITOR The Somers combined gymnastics team kicked off the new year in style with a 178.8 - 167.2 victory over Mahopac on Jan. 8 at Dynamic Gymnastics. Hen Hud’s Maggie Johannsen led the charge with top scores in vault, balance beam, floor exercise, and all around. However, strong showings by a number of Yorktown gymnasts helped propel the squad to victory. Husker standout Amelia Carozza took 4th in vault (8.90), 3rd in balance beam (9.25), and 2nd in floor exercise (9.40). Arianna Gulli took 13th on beam (7.85) and Ciara Burch placed 12th on uneven bars (7.10). “The girls did great, so far this was the best team result of the season,” said Coach Teodora Cepoi. “All of them look like they are having fun and are more comfortable competing.” The combined team is set to take on Wappingers on Thursday, Jan. 11, at Dynamic Gymnastics at 6:30 p.m. Combined team starts 2024 with win over Mahopac Amelia Carozza performs her dismount off the balance beam. Arianna Gulli Ciara Burch PHOTOS: TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL Amelia Carozza on the uneven bars Ciara Burch performs her floor routine. GYMNASTICS
JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 24, 2024 YORKTOWN NEWS – PAGE 29 LEISURE To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle! For puzzle solutions, please see theparamountrehab.com CLUES ACROSS 1. Bleated 6. Snakelike fish 9. Database management system 13. Russian-American violinist 14. Wendy’s founder Thomas 15. Ancient Italian-Greek colony 16. Negatives 17. Rescued 18. Self-immolation by fire ritual 19. Assigns tasks to 21. Island nation native 22. Trade 23. Detergent brand 24. Famed NY Giant 25. Before 28. Split pulses 29. Extremely angry; highly incensed 31. Body part 33. American state 36. David __, US playwright 38. Move one’s head slightly 39. Secret rendezvous 41. Improved 44. A place to exercise 45. 18-year astronomical period 46. Automobile 48. You can take it 49. A radio band 51. Jaws of an animal 52. Short-billed rails 54. Chinese province 56. Shameless and undisguised 60. Horizontal passage into a mine 61. Adult males 62. Fail to entertain 63. Dried-up 64. City in north-central Utah 65. Southern U.S. 66. German river 67. Oxygen 68. Make law CLUES DOWN 1. Curved segment 2. Wings 3. From pentane (Chemistry) 4. Gradually gets into 5. Commercial document (abbr.) 6. Overhang 7. Christmas and New Year’s have them 8. Type of bulb 9. Lacking a plan 10. Tattle 11. Rockers like it “heavy” 12. One who’s been canonized 14. Indicate time and place 17. Nobel Prize winner in physics 20. The voice of Olaf 21. Fragmented rock 23. They __ 25. Master of Philosophy 26. Backside 27. Landmark house in L.A. 29. An act of undue intimacy 30. From which a later word is derived 32. Equal to 10 meters 34. Neither 35. Computer language 37. Sacred book of Judaism 40. A woolen cap of Scottish origin 42. A way to dedicate 43. Challenges 47. British Air Aces 49. Large, influential bank 50. Portended 52. Cavalry-sword 53. Vaccine developer 55. Napoleonic Wars general 56. Italian Seaport 57. Hip joint 58. __ Clapton, musician 59. Insect repellent 61. Decorative scarf 65. Delaware Loaded Beef Nachos Serves 4 Taco Seasoning: • 5 teaspoons paprika • 1-1/4 teaspoons garlic powder • 1-1/4 teaspoons ground cumin • 1-1/4 teaspoons onion powder • 1 teaspoon chili powder • 1 teaspoon oregano leaves • 1-1/2 teaspoons salt Nachos • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil • 1 pound ground beef • 1 cup diced onion • 1 cup diced green bell pepper • 1 10-ounce can diced tomatoes with green chiles (such as RO-TEL¨) • 1 15-ounce can Mexican-style corn (optional) • 1 16-ounce can refried beans • 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese, or as needed • 4 ounces tortilla chips, or as needed Toppings (optional): • 1/2 cup sour cream (optional) • 1/2 cup salsa (optional) • 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional) • 1/4 cup sliced jalape–os (optional) • 1/4 cup green onion For taco seasoning: Stir paprika, garlic powder, cumin, onion powder, chili powder, oregano, and salt together in a small bowl; set aside. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; cook and stir ground beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in onion and green pepper; cook and stir with oil and juices from browned meat until much of the liquid has evaporated, about 2 minutes more. Stir 1/2 can diced tomatoes with chilies and Mexican-style corn into skillet. Season beef mixture to taste with prepared taco seasoning mix. Stir together the remaining 1/2 can diced tomatoes with chilies and refried beans in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high until heated through, stirring every 30 seconds, 1 to 3 minutes. To assemble nachos: Lay half of tortilla chips in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate, then drop teaspoons of refried beans onto chips, followed by meat mixture and shredded cheese. Repeat with remaining chips, beans, meat and cheese to make a second layer. Microwave on high until cheese is melted and nachos are warm, 2 to 3 minutes. Top with sour cream, salsa, olives, jalapenos, and green onion as desired. Nachos make the ideal game day snack Big games dot the college and professional football landscapes each year beginning in late summer and ending in mid-winter. But no games are bigger than those that take place once the calendar turns to a new year. That’s when the postseason begins in both college and professional football. Game watches with fellow fans, family and friends are a great way to make playoff football even more enjoyable. With so many big games on the horizon, football fans would be wise to ready their culinary arsenal. Whether you’re hosting at home or going to a game watch at a fellow fan’s house, keep in mind that food and football are a great match. Certain dishes have long since staked their claim on the game watch dinner and snacking tables, and nachos certainly need no introduction to football fans. As this year’s playoffs kick off, football fans can try this recipe for “Loaded Beef Nachos” courtesy of AllRecipes.com.
PAGE 30 – YORKTOWN NEWS JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 24, 2024 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. 2023 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. BY CAROL REIF STAFF WRITER 10-13. In law enforcement speak, that means “Officer needs assistance.” But in one Lewisboro native’s case, it should translate to “Officer needs a kidney.” Clark Pitura, a longtime detective with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, was on duty in 2021 when he contracted COVID and was hospitalized in critical condition. The doctors suggested a certain medication that, they warned, could save his life but could also possibly harm his kidneys. Pitura’s family made the tough decision to go ahead with the treatment. He and his wife, Lia, an occupational therapist with the Lakeland Central School District, have one son, Dylan, who is now in college. The now 51-year-old dad survived but had to undergo six months of pulmonary rehabilitation and be placed on medical leave. To top things off, Pitura was dealing with Type 1 diabetes, a disease he was diagnosed with when a student at St. Thomas Aquinas College in Orangeburg, N.Y. (A 1990 graduate of John Jay High School in Cross River, he grew up in Goldens Bridge and then lived in Katonah before moving to Brewster. Pitura had been working hard to get healthy enough to return to duty when he got the bad news that tests showed his kidneys had taken a big hit. Doctors had hoped the organs would rebound, but they got “worse and worse,” he said. There were times when Pitura was so fatigued he couldn’t get out of bed by himself. By 2022, the “writing was on the wall,” namely that he was heading for dialysis and would most likely need a transplant, ideally from a living donor. Although a perfect match, Lia couldn’t donate because she’s petite (about 5-foot-2) and doctors said her kidney would be too small for her 6-foot-plus spouse. Several cousins also stepped up, but unfortunately were medically disqualified. “It was nice of them to try, but it just didn’t work out,” Pitura said. The family turned to social media and also reached out to Pitura’s college pals and fellow church parishioners. “Everybody knows, but it’s a BIG ask,” he acknowledged recently. According to organdonor.gov, there are currently 103,327 men, women, and children in the U.S. on the national transplant list. The National Kidney Foundation set the average time frame for waiting at three to five years at most transplant centers. It can be even longer in some geographic regions of the country. There is a swap program where any healthy person willing to donate can. They do not have to be an exact match for Pitura. (You only need one kidney to live a full, healthy life. Most donor surgery is done laparoscopically, which doesn’t require large incisions. Recuperation is quick, usually two weeks after surgery. Insurance and evaluation costs are covered by the recipient’s policy.) Pitura is registered with the Recanati/Miller Transplant Institute (RMTI) of Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan. Here’s how its living donor team explains the institute’s “kidney swap” program. Say the prospective donor, “Mary,” wants to give a kidney to her friend “Joe,” but has a blood type that isn’t compatible. Mary and Joe are entered into the program’s database as “a pair.” They remain remain on the list until a second “pair” – one of whom will be a match – is identified, the spokesperson said. But once that happens, it’s usually only two to three weeks before transplant surgery takes place. Joe gets a kidney from the matching donor and Mary donates one of hers to a second recipient. Besides saving a stranger’s life, Mary’s selfless act moves her to the top of the list for a kidney (from a deceased donor) transplant should she need one in the future. ‘Officer needs assistance’ Local cop in desperate need of kidney donation Clark Pitura with his son Dylan and wife Lia. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PITURA FAMILY REGIONAL SEE PITURA PAGE 35
JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 24, 2024 YORKTOWN NEWS – PAGE 31 A lottery ticket purchased at the 7-Eleven on Commerce Street turned out to be a Yorktown man’s Christmas miracle. William Ciringione of Yorktown Heights claimed a $5 million top prize on the New York Lottery’s Cash X100 scratch-off game, according to lottery officials. He received a lump sum prize payment of $3,255,000, after required withholdings. According to New York Lottery’s press release, published on Dec. 21, there are two top prizes left on the Cash X100 ticket. They wrote that players can check the status of any New York Lottery scratch-off game by downloading the Game Report at nylottery.ny.gov. During the fiscal 2022-2023 year, New York Lottery scratch-off games racked up nearly $4.5 billion in total sales. School districts in Westchester County received around $155 million in Lottery Aid to Education funds during the same period, according to the release. Yorktown man wins big $5 million lottery ticket came from 7-Eleven William Ciringione PHOTO COURTESY NEW YORK LOTTERY The Knights of Columbus Father LaFarge Council 4012 of Yorktown has been honored with the Double Star Council Award by the organization’s Supreme Council for outstanding achievement in membership, charitable outreach, and benefit programming for the community. Out of 16,000 councils worldwide, only 280 received this recognition. The Knights are dedicated to the principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. “If you can spare a few hours a month to do charitable work or to raise funds for charitable efforts and would like to share comradeship with other Catholic gentlemen in Yorktown, please consider joining the Knights of Columbus,” said Robert DiPrato of Council 4012. For information go to KofC4012.org or contact Andrew Amenn at [email protected]. Those interested can also join online at KofC.org by clicking the “Join Us” button and entering 4012 in the “Preferred Council” window. Yorktown Knights of Columbus honored with Double Star award unknowns at this point include State Aid funding, tax cap calculations, new legislation and unfunded state mandates, fuel and utility costs, fluctuation in student enrollments including English as a new language enrollments, and BOCES program costs. Instructional initiatives that are being focused on in this process, according to the presentation, include continuing to build the district’s STEAM program, prioritizing innovation, technology and teaching practices that will foster engagement in the classroom, and expanding the work of Equity for All. Gagliardi added that the district will also continue to explore the use of Renaissance eduClimber platform. Budget Development Calendar: Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024 at 7. p.m. (GWES) Budget Presentation #1 - Review of O&M, Transportation and General Support Budgets Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024 at 7. p.m. (District Office): Budget Presentation #2 - Review Debt Service, Technology, and Employee Benefits Thursday, Mar. 7, 2024 at 7. p.m. (District Office): Budget Presentation #3 - Review Instructional, and Special Education Budgets Thursday, Apr. 11, 2024 at 7. p.m. (District Office): Budget Presentation #4 - Finalize the 2024- 2025 Educational Plan and Budget Adoption Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 7. p.m. (District Office): Budget Hearing Tuesday, May 21, 2024: Budget and Trustee Vote at Van Cortlandtville Elementary 14 School from 7:00 a.m. to 9 p.m. LAKELAND BOE FROM PAGE 9 Add Value to Your Home We specialize in targeted home improvements — both big and small — to maximize your home’s value,comfort and beauty. • Bathroom Remodeling • Kitchen Remodeling • Durable Vinyl Siding • Room Additions • Add-a-Levels • • Replacement Windows • General Carpentry • Basement Finishing • Painting • Interior Trim • Handy Man • Sero’s Contracting When we’re done, there is nothing left to do. Licensed & Insured • Local References • Brewster, NY • 845-216-1955 • 845-279-6977 • [email protected]
PAGE 32 – YORKTOWN NEWS JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 24, 2024 Efforts to protect and preserve the historic features of the 13.8-acre Underhill Farm property will be the subject of a public hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 16, at 7:30 p.m., at Town Hall. The hearing will provide residents an opportunity to express their views about the historic property in conjunction with the site’s planned development. Under local preservation law, the Town Board is required to hold the hearing after the Yorktown Heritage Preservation Commission submits a formal recommendation to landmark the property. The ultimate decision on whether to landmark Underhill Farm as the town’s 16th landmark will be up to the Town Board. Landmarking of Underhill Farm is needed, explained Lynn Briggs, Yorktown Heritage Preservation Commission chair, because although the Planning Board acknowledged the historical significance of the property, the site plan it ultimately approved did not address how the site’s historic features would be protected. “That left landmarking as the only way to guarantee that the property’s distinguishing historic features would be preserved for generations to come,” Briggs said. Briggs noted that landmarking the historic main house, one of the most prominent historic features on the property will also protect the house in the event the property’s current or a future owner seeks to amend the current site plan because there’s no financially viable adaptive reuse for the house. According to Briggs, once the Planning Board began its review of the Underhill Farm site plan, the Commission made several attempts to partner and collaborate with both the developer and the Planning Board. “Our goal was to gain agreement to a practical, reasonable, and cost-effective development solution that balanced the developer’s financial goals with the community’s goal of preserving its history,” she said. As an example of what was not addressed in the approved site plan, Briggs cited the plan’s silence on how the house would be rehabilitated for a new use. There are actually three components to the main house, Briggs explained: the original two-story farmhouse, the Italianate wing, and the one-story extension on the western side. “Without knowing what adaptive new use Unicorn Contracting will eventually settle on, there’s no way to know if all three components of the house will be preserved or what historic features, like the cupola or front porch, will be preserved,” she said. Efforts to designate the historic property as a town landmark date back to 2019 when the Commission initiated discussions with the Soundview Preparatory School and subsequently with former Supervisor Matt Slater. The discussions were interrupted, however, when the property was sold to Unicorn Contracting in 2020 and the new owner proposed a mixed-use development with 148 residential units and 15,600 square feet of commercial space. On May 26, 2021, the Office of New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation declared the entire 13.8-acre property eligible for listing on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. In addition, in the newly adopted Overlay Zone Law, Town leaders list the Underhill Manor and Estate as Unique, “to be retained for cultural, architectural and historical references to the town’s history.” The historic property also meets four out of five local landmarking criteria. Under the terms of the town’s Heritage Preservation Law, before a property can be designated a landmark, the property owner must be consulted. However, the law does not require the owner’s consent to landmark the site. Yorktown has three landmarked properties listed on the State and National Register of Historic Places: the railroad station on Commerce Street, the Amawalk Friends Meeting House on Quaker Church Road, and the Old Croton Dam submerged in New Croton Reservoir. In addition, Yorktown has 12 local landmarks including the Davenport House in Croton Heights and the First Presbyterian Church on Route 202. Article courtesy of YHPC Public hearing set to consider landmarking Underhill Farm Islamic Center Community Night Hudson Valley Islamic Community Center (3680 Lexington Ave., Mohegan Lake) holds its Community Night every Friday at 7 p.m. Dinner is served. All are welcome. The HVIC also has a monthly food pantry on the first Sunday of each month at the same location. For more information, call 914-528-1626. Food Pantry Resources Hudson Valley Islamic Community Center: 3680 Lexington Ave, Mohegan Lake, 914-528- 1626. First Sunday of every month from 11 a.m. -1 p.m. HVICC distributes fresh vegetables, fruits, eggs, meat, breakfast products, etc. All are welcome. Hot coffee is available. Community Food Pantry at St Mary’s Mohegan Lake: 1836 East Main St. (Route 6), Mohegan Lake, 914-528-3972. Saturdays from 9-11 a.m., drivethrough model. For more information, including donations: cfpstmarysmoheganlake.com First Presbyterian Church of Yorktown Food Pantry: 2880 Crompond Road (Route 202), Yorktown Heights, 914-245-2186. GREEN FROM PAGE 4 SEE GREEN PAGE 35 My Community Bulletin Board 3565 Crompond Road • Suite 202 • Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567 Office: 914.736.9230 ext 107 Direct: 914.788.4549 Cell: 914.659.2051 Fax: 914.930.1111 [email protected] www.asapmortgageinc.com Douglas C. Petri Branch Manager NMLS# 39875 Registered Mortgage Broker - NYS Department of Financial Services. CT - Mortgage Broker Only. Not A Mortgage Lender or Mortgage Correspondent Lender. Mortgage Broker Licensed in Florida. Licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities. All loans arranged through 3rd party providers. Company NMLS # 4368, Cortlandt Manor Branch NMLS # 325538, Yonkers Branch NMLS # 1140068 Your business card could be here. Call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151 to find out how. INCREASE REFERRALS AND NAME RECOGNITION. Advertise in the Yorktown News Bulletin Board and reach over 7,000 USPS delivered addresses every week. Call 845-208-8151 today!
JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 24, 2024 YORKTOWN NEWS – PAGE 33 Call 914-689-7350 to schedule your free quote!
PAGE 34 – YORKTOWN NEWS JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 24, 2024 Join a Hart book club The Hart Book Club reads and discusses a new book every month, with titles ranging from classics to literary fiction. In February, the Book Club will discuss “The Plot” by Jean Hannf Korelitz. In “The Plot,” aspiring writer Jacob Finch Bonner plagiarizes a deceased student’s plot for literary fame. His success takes a dark turn when a stranger exposes his deceit, unraveling his life and challenging the ethics of authorship. The novel delves into the consequences of intellectual theft and the complex interplay between truth and fiction. February meeting dates are Tuesday, February 6, at 6:30 p.m. (both in person and via Zoom) and/or Wednesday, February 7 at 2 p.m. (in person). New members are always welcome. Contact the library for more info or to register at reference@yorktownlibrary. org. The library offers a total of four book clubs that each meet once a month. Learn more at yorktownlibrary.org/book-clubs. Also this month is Hart’s next Library Trustee meeting, which takes place on Wednesday, Jan. 17 from 6-8 p.m. All are welcome. Library Calendar Calendar guide: A – Adults; Y - Young Adults; C - Children. Visit the calendar page of the Hart website for more information. Register online unless listed as a “drop-in” program. Friday, Jan. 12 A - Mah Jongg (Drop-in). 12:30-3:30 p.m. A/Y - One-on-One Tech Help with a Teen (Drop-in). 2:30-4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15 The library will be CLOSED for the federal holiday. Tuesday, Jan. 16 A/Y - One-on-One Tech Help with a Teen (Drop-in). 2:30-4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17 C - Stories and Rhymes with Ms. Terry (Drop-in). 10-10:30 a.m. A - Canasta (Drop-in). 12:30-2:30 p.m. A - Crafting with Books. 2-3:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18 A - Quilting & Needlework (Dropin). 10 a.m.-12 p.m. A - Mostly Nonfiction Book Club. 2-3 p.m. C - Lego Free Build (Drop-in). 5:30-6:30 p.m. A - Up All Night Book Club. 6:30-7:45 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19 A - Mah Jongg (Drop-in). 12:30-3:30 p.m. A/Y - One-on-One Tech Help with a Teen (Drop-in). 2:30-4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22 A - Mah Jongg (Drop-in). 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23 A - Medicare 1:1 Counseling (Dropin). 10 a.m.-1 p.m. A/Y - One-on-One Tech Help with a Teen (Drop-in). 2:30-4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24 C - Stories and Rhymes with Ms. Terry (Drop-in). 10-10:30 a.m. A - Canasta (Drop-in). 12:30-2:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25 A - Quilting & Needlework (Drop-in). 10 a.m.-12 p.m. C - Lego Free Build (Drop-in). 5:30-6:30 p.m. Hours and Contacts Library Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.; Saturday 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday 12-4 p.m. Contacts: (914) 245-5262; re f e re n c e @ yo r k t o w n l i b r a r y. o r g ; website:yorktownlibrary.org Hart Library Corner IMAGE COURTESY HART LIBRARY Conveniently located at: 34 Hillandale Rd., Yorktown Heights, NY Accommodates up to 120 people Ample Parking Handicap Accessible Full Kitchen Changeable LED Lighting Stereo System, Free Wi-Fi 3 Cable TVs, Full Stage Separate Suite with Fireplace
JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 24, 2024 YORKTOWN NEWS – PAGE 35 Chosen Realty, LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 7/18/2023. Cty: Westchester. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 167 Phyllis Ct, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598. General Purpose Notice of Formation of D&D Vele Home Solutions, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2023- 10-22. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Alba Illescas: 1230 E Main Street Shrub Oak NY 10588. Purpose: Any lawful purpose Notice of Formation of 622 Harrison Ave, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2023- 10-22. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Alba Illescas: 1230 E Main Street Shrub Oak NY 10588. Purpose: Any lawful purpose Notice of Formation of 174 Route 22, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2023-10-22. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Alba Illescas: 1230 E Main Street Shrub Oak NY 10588. Purpose: Any lawful purpose NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing will be held by the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Yorktown on Thursday, January 25th, 2024 at 6:30 P.M. or as soon thereafter as is practicable in the Town Board Room, Town Hall, 363 Underhill Avenue, Yorktown Heights, New York as follows: FAIVRE #38/23 Property Address: 1420 Troutbrook St Section 48.14, Block 1, Lot 44 This is an application for a renewal of a special use permit for accessory apartment. GUMMERSON #39/23 Property Address: 3495 Hillside St Section 15.16, Block 2, Lot 27 This is an application to construct a third story addition with a rear yard setback of 8.74 ft where 30 ft is required as per section 300-21 and Appendix A of the Town Zoning Code. CORCORAN #40/23 Property Address: 1755 Paine St Section 37.19, Block 1, Lot 54 This is an application to construct a a deck and stairs that require a rear yard setback of 6.12 ft where 30 ft is required as per section 300-21 and Appendix A of the Town Zoning Code. INTERSTATE SALES COMPANY #41/23 Property Address: 1236 East Main St. Section 16.10, Block 1, Lot 30 This is an application to legalize a second sign for “Interstate + Lakeland” that does not have road frontage as per Article XX and Appendix D of the Town Zoning Code To take the donor survey, visit www. MountSinaiLivingDonation.org. For more information, visit www. mountsinai.org/care/transplant/services/ living-donor or www.mountsinai.org/locations/recanati-miller-transplant; or call (212) 731-7684. Pitura underwent a “fistula” procedure in 2022 that grafted an artery and vein in his arm to prepare him for dialysis, a treatment that removes water, waste products, and toxins from the bloodstream. By May 2023, Pitura was visiting a clinic in Jefferson Valley three days a week, an experience he calls “life-changing” and “humbling.” Although he knew dialysis was buying him time, Pitura was sad that it put the kibosh on favorite outdoor activities such as camping, fishing, hunting, skiing, and canoeing. Gratitude has kept him going. “Whenever I walk into the clinic I say to myself, I’m walking out of here and there are lots of people who aren’t as fortunate as I am,” Pitura said.: “As poor shape as I’m in, I look like Captain Fitness in comparison to some other folks.” However, it doesn’t make having to be tethered to a machine that resembles a commercial Slushie maker for 19 or 20 hours a week any less miserable. “The problem is that there’s no end in sight; it’s not like a broken bone or a wound that’s going to heal. It’s neverending; it can really make you cry,” he explained. That’s not to say Pitura’s not extremely thankful that he has access to lifesaving medical care. “At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how much money you make, if you don’t have your health, you have nothing,” he said. Pitura’s kidneys have deteriorated to the point where even dialysis isn’t doing the job. He needs a transplant, and fast. Having to be hospitalized three times this fall so that excess fluids could be drained from his body, Pitura missed his 18-year-old son’s first Thanksgiving home from college. Asked how Dylan is holding up, the proud father said he’s “surprisingly confident in dealing with the situation and is being so supportive.” “Of course, he wishes it wasn’t happening,” Pitura added. Lia is impressed with her spouse’s fortitude and resilience and grateful that the family has been able to find new ways to be together. “It’s amazing what you can do when you don’t have a choice,” she said. There’ve been a lot of emotional ups and downs along the way, but the Pituras feel “unbelievably fortunate to have a lot of people rooting for us,” Lia said. Folks in the law enforcement community are rallying around the family. Last spring, Westchester B.L.U.E. (Brothers in Law Enforcement Uniting Efforts) Foundation and the New York City Environmental Police Benevolent Association held a fundraiser to help the Pituras. There was food, raffles, T-shirts, music, and a 50-50 drawing. Founded in 2011 by former Mount Vernon homicide detective Matthew Frank, B.L.U.E helps active and retired police officers who are experiencing emotional, physical, and financial difficulties. “There are so few resources, we have to rely on ourselves and be there for one another,” he explained. “Whatever their needs may be, they just have to reach out and we’ll be there, 24/7, 365.” Calling the Pituras “a lovely family,” he added: “Clark is awesome; his wife’s the best; and their son is a very smart young man.” Frank said it was important that people “realize that there are all kinds of dangers police officers face on the job.” (He was seriously wounded in 2006 by a shooting suspect he’d been questioning.) While most are obvious – injury or death caused by persons or animals, traffic accidents, and even suicide – the one thing that folks don’t usually think about is exposure to illnesses. The impact on first responders and medical providers became painfully apparent during the COVID-19 epidemic. Despite the personal risks, they’d take them “again and again and again” because “when you’re a police officer, it’s in your heart. It’s not just a job, it’s part of who we are,” Frank said. Officers have to take care of themselves and their brothers and sisters in blue, he said, recalling a favorite analogy. “I tell people when you are in the police academy, one of the things they teach you is how to drive a certain way. You have to stop at signs and lights; you can’t just blow through them. Proceed with caution. Because if you don’t get there, you can’t help anybody else,” he said. To donate to B.L.U.E visit www.westchesterblue.org and click on the “About Us” and then the “Donate Now” buttons. To direct funds to Pitura, specify that in the notes section. Pitura’s goal is not only to be there for his family but to get healthy enough to return to the career he loves. Among the friends pulling for him is Joe Parrello, a Harrison police officer who had been Dylan Pitura’s football coach. “Clark’s an amazing man, a great husband, and a great dad. He’s lived a life of service and someone’s donating a kidney would be the perfect way to give back,” Parrello said. PITURA FROM PAGE 30 Second and fourth Saturday of each month from 9-11 a.m., drive-through model. For more information, including donations, visit fpc yorktown.org/ mission/food-pantry. Westchester Adventist Church: 1243 Whitehill Road, Yorktown Heights, Fridays from noon to 2 p.m., drive-through model. Learn more at Westchester adventist.com. Yorktown Community (help inside the Albert A. Capellini Community & Cultural Center): 1974 Commerce St., Yorktown Heights, 914-962-1144. Third Wednesday of each month from 4:30-7 p.m., drive-through model. Yorktown residents only. Family Support and Education Group The Spotlight Family Support group holds twice-weekly Zoom meetings open to anyone struggling with the effects of addiction in a friend or loved one. Tuesdays 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m., and Wednesdays 7-8 p.m. Visit yorktownny.org/ community/spotlight-family -support-group for more. Parks & Rec Winter Programs Yorktown’s Dept. of Parks and Recreation 2023-24 fall and winter catalog is now available, and registration for programs is open. To find the catalog and registration information, visit yorktownny.org/parksandrecreation/fall-winter-2023-24-catalog and follow the links. (Note: hyphens after winter are part of the URL). Race Amity Join in for monthly discussions as we work to advance cross-racial and cross-cultural amity to impact the public discourse on race. Monthly meetings feature speakers, screenings, and presentations where discussions are aimed at educating one another on who we really are. Learn more at facebook.com/RaceAmityofNorthern WestchesterandPutnam. Telehealth Intervention Senior Programs Mondays, 9 to 11:30 a.m. TIPS has been at the forefront of the national telehealth movement. Westchester County continues to lead the way in developing best practices that help seniors age successfully in their homes and communities. Senior’s vital signs – specifically their pulse, weight, oxygen blood level, and blood pressure – are measured using computers and other equipment. That data is then transmitted to telehealth nurses who review it remotely. If the tests show cause for immediate concern, the nurse will contact the seniors, their caregivers, or primary care physicians directly. Each senior leaves the session with a “TIPS Sheet,” a comprehensive assessment that includes the results of their vital sign tests, an explanation of what the results mean, and if needed, other relevant information such as referrals. Held at the Yorktown Community and Cultural Center located at 1974 Commerce St., Yorktown. GREEN FROM PAGE 32
PAGE 36 – YORKTOWN NEWS JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 24, 2024 LEGAL NOTICES SEE LEGALSPAGE 38 NOTICE OF SPECIAL DISTRICT MEETING YORKTOWN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, IN THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER, NEW YORK NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Education of the Yorktown Central School District, in the County of Westchester, New York, adopted on December 18, 2023, a Special District Meeting of the qualified voters of said School District will be held on TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2024 from 7:00 o’clock A.M. to 9:00 o’clock P.M. (Prevailing Time) in the Library of the French Hill School, Yorktown Heights, New York, for the purpose of voting upon the following two Bond Propositions: BOND PROPOSITION #1 RESOLVED: (a) That the Board of Education of the Yorktown Central School District, in the County of Westchester, New York (the “District”), is hereby authorized to construct improvements and alterations to various District school buildings and/or sites, (the “Project”), substantially as described in a plan prepared by the District with the assistance of Arris Contracting Company, Inc. and MEMASI, (the “Plan”), which Plan is on file and available for public inspection at the office of the District Clerk; such Project to include the construction of building additions to provide for new classroom space; interior reconstruction and space reconfiguration; main entrance security upgrades; multi-purpose turf field construction; site lighting; and the replacement of lockers, windows, doors, flooring and an elevator; the foregoing to include the original furnishings, equipment, machinery, apparatus and ancillary or related site, demolition and other work required in connection therewith; and to expend therefor, including preliminary costs and costs incidental thereto and to the financing thereof, an amount not to exceed the estimated total cost of $45,995,000; provided that the detailed costs of the components of the Project as set forth in the Plan may be reallocated among such components if the Board of Education shall determine that such reallocation is in the best interests of the District and no material change shall be made in the scope of the Project; (b) that the amount of $6,000,000 from the District’s “Buildings and Facilities Improvement Reserve Fund”, approved and amended by the voters on May 16, 2017 and May 17, 2022, is hereby authorized to be expended from such fund to pay for a portion of the cost of the Project; and (c) that a tax is hereby voted in the aggregate amount of not to exceed $39,995,000 to finance the balance of said estimated total cost, such tax to be levied by and collected in installments in such years and in such amounts as may be determined by said Board of Education, and that in anticipation of said tax, bonds of the District are hereby authorized to be issued in the aggregate principal amount of not to exceed $39,995,000 and a tax is hereby voted to pay the interest on said bonds as the same shall become due and payable. BOND PROPOSITION #2 RESOLVED: (a) THAT IN THE EVENT BOND PROPOSITION #1 IS APPROVED, the Board of Education of the Yorktown Central School District, in the County of Westchester, New York (the “District”), is hereby authorized to construct additional improvements and alterations to various District school buildings and/or sites, (the “Project”), substantially as described in a plan prepared by the District with the assistance of Arris Contracting Company, Inc. and MEMASI, (the “Plan”), which Plan is on file and available for public inspection at the office of the District Clerk; such Project to include the construction of a new multi-purpose turf field, athletic field lighting, scoreboard and a concessions and restroom facility; sidewalk and pavement improvements; cafeteria and kitchen renovation; and the acquisition and/or installation of an emergency generator; the foregoing to include the original furnishings, equipment, machinery, apparatus and ancillary or related site, demolition and other work required in connection therewith; and to expend therefor, including preliminary costs and costs incidental thereto and to the financing thereof, an amount not to exceed the estimated total cost of $10,950,000; provided that the detailed costs of the components of the Project as set forth in the Plan may be reallocated among such components if the Board of Education shall determine that such reallocation is in the best interests of the District and no material change shall be made in the scope of the Project; (b) that a tax is hereby voted in the aggregate amount of not to exceed $10,950,000 to finance said estimated total cost, such tax to be levied by and collected in installments in such years and in such amounts as may be determined by said Board of Education, and that in anticipation of said tax, bonds of the District are hereby authorized to be issued in the aggregate principal amount of not to exceed $10,950,000 and a tax is hereby voted to pay the interest on said bonds as the same shall become due and payable; and (c) that if this Bond Proposition #2 is approved, it shall become effective only in the event that Bond Proposition #1 is approved. Such Bond Propositions shall appear on the ballots used for voting at said Special District Meeting in substantially the following condensed forms: BOND PROPOSITION #1 YES NO RESOLVED: (a) That the Board of Education of the Yorktown Central School District, in the County of Westchester, New York (the “District”), is hereby authorized to construct improvements and alterations to various District school buildings and/or sites, substantially as described in a plan prepared by the District with the assistance of Arris Contracting Company, Inc. and MEMASI, and to expend therefor an amount not to exceed the estimated total cost of $45,995,000; (b) that the amount of $6,000,000 from the District’s “Buildings and Facilities Improvement Reserve Fund”, approved and amended by the voters on May 16, 2017 and May 17, 2022, is hereby authorized to be expended from such fund to pay for a portion of said estimated total cost; and (c) that a tax is hereby voted in the aggregate amount of not to exceed $39,995,000 to finance the balance of said estimated total cost, such tax to be levied by and collected in installments in such years and in such amounts as may be determined by said Board of Education, and that in anticipation of said tax, bonds of the District are hereby authorized to be issued in the aggregate principal amount of not to exceed $39,995,000 and a tax is hereby voted to pay the interest on said bonds as the same shall become due and payable. BOND PROPOSITION #2 YES NO RESOLVED: (a) THAT IN THE EVENT BOND PROPOSITION #1 IS APPROVED, the Board of Education of the Yorktown Central School District, in the County of Westchester, New York (the “District”), is hereby authorized to construct additional improvements and alterations to various District school buildings and/or sites, substantially as described in a plan prepared by the District with the assistance of Arris Contracting Company, Inc. and MEMASI, and to expend therefor an amount not to exceed the estimated total cost of $10,950,000; (b) that a tax is hereby voted in the aggregate amount of not to exceed $10,950,000 to finance said estimated total cost, such tax to be levied by and collected in installments in such years and in such amounts as may be determined by said Board of Education, and that in anticipation of said tax, bonds of the District are hereby authorized to be issued in the aggregate principal amount of not to exceed $10,950,000 and a tax is hereby voted to pay the interest on said bonds as the same shall become due and payable; and (c) that if this Bond Proposition #2 is approved, it shall become effective only in the event that Bond Proposition #1 is approved. The voting will be conducted by ballot or voting machines as provided in the Education Law and the polls will remain open from 7:00 o’clock A.M. to 9:00 o’clock P.M. (Prevailing Time) and as much longer as may be necessary to enable the voters then present to cast their ballots. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that personal registration of voters is required either pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law or pursuant to Article 5 of the Election Law. If a voter has previously registered pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law in the Yorktown Central School District and has voted at an annual or special district meeting in such district within the last four (4) calendar years, he or she is eligible to vote at said Special District Meeting. If a voter is registered and eligible to vote under Article 5 of the Election Law, he or she is also eligible to vote at said Special District Meeting. All other persons who wish to vote must register. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that voter registration is ongoing in the office of the District Clerk and that any person entitled to have their name placed upon the register may register on any school day at the Administration Office of the District, 2725 Crompond Road, Yorktown Heights, New York between the hours of 8:30 o’clock A.M. and 3:00 o’clock P.M. (Prevailing Time) up until five (5) days before said Special District Meeting at which time any person will be entitled to have his or her name placed on such register of voters, provided that he or she is known or proven to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at said Special District Meeting for which the register is prepared.
JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 24, 2024 YORKTOWN NEWS – PAGE 37 AVISO DE REUNIÓN ESPECIAL DEL DISTRITODISTRITO ESCOLAR CENTRAL DE YORKTOWN, EN EL CONDADO DE WESTCHESTER, NUEVA YORK POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que, de conformidad con una resolución de la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Central de Yorktown, en el Condado de Westchester, Nueva York, adoptada el 18 de diciembre de 2023, se llevará a cabo una Reunión Especial del Distrito de los votantes calificados de dicho Distrito Escolar el MARTES, 13 DE FEBRERO DE 2024 de 7:00 a.m. a 9:00 p.m. (hora prevaleciente) en la Biblioteca de la Escuela French Hill, Yorktown Heights, Nueva York, con el propósito de votar sobre las siguientes dos Proposiciones de Bonos: PROPUESTA DE BONOS #1 RESUELTO: (a) Que la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Central de Yorktown, en el Condado de Westchester, Nueva York (el "Distrito"), está autorizada por la presente a construir mejoras y alteraciones a varios edificios y/o sitios escolares del Distrito, (el "Proyecto"), sustancialmente como se describe en un plan preparado por el Distrito con la asistencia de Arris Contracting Company, Inc. y MEMASI, (el "Plan"), cuyo Plan está archivado y disponible para inspección pública en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito; dicho proyecto incluirá la construcción de adiciones al edificio para proporcionar un nuevo espacio para las aulas; interior reconstrucción y reconfiguración del espacio; mejoras en la seguridad de la entrada principal; construcción de campos de césped multiusos; iluminación del sitio; y la sustitución de taquillas, ventanas, puertas, suelos y ascensor; lo anterior incluye el mobiliario, el equipo, la maquinaria, los aparatos y el sitio auxiliar o relacionado, la demolición y otros trabajos necesarios en relación con los mismos; y gastar para ello, incluidos los gastos preliminares y los gastos incidentales a él y a su financiación, una suma que no exceda del costo total estimado de 45.995.000 dólares; siempre que los costes detallados de los componentes del Proyecto, según lo establecido en el Plan, puede ser reasignado entre dichos componentes si el Consejo de Educación determina que dicha reasignación es en el mejor interés del Distrito y no se realizará ningún cambio sustancial en el alcance del Proyecto; (b) que la cantidad de $6,000,000 del "Fondo de Reserva para Mejoras de Edificios e Instalaciones" del Distrito, aprobada y enmendada por los votantes el 16 de mayo de 2017 y el 17 de mayo de 2022, está autorizada a ser gastada de dicho fondo para pagar una parte del costo del Proyecto; y (c) que por la presente se vota un impuesto por un monto total que no exceda de $39,995,000 para financiar el saldo de dicho costo total estimado, dicho impuesto será recaudado y recaudado en cuotas en los años y en los montos que determine dicha Junta de Educación, y que en anticipación de dicho impuesto, por la presente se autoriza la emisión de bonos del Distrito por un monto total de capital que no exceda los $39,995,000 y por la presente se vota un impuesto para pagar los intereses de dichos bonos a medida que los mismos venzan y sean pagaderos. PROPUESTA DE BONOS #2 RESUELTO: (a) QUE EN CASO DE QUE SE APRUEBE LA PROPOSICIÓN DE BONOS #1, la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Central de Yorktown, en el Condado de Westchester, Nueva York (el "Distrito"), está autorizada por la presente a construir mejoras y alteraciones adicionales a varios edificios y/o sitios escolares del Distrito, (el "Proyecto"), sustancialmente como se describe en un plan preparado por el Distrito con la asistencia de Arris Contracting Company, Inc. y MEMASI, (el "Plan"), cuyo Plan está archivado y disponible para inspección pública en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito; proyecto para incluir la construcción de un nuevo campo de césped multiusos, iluminación del campo deportivo, marcador y una instalación de concesiones y baños; mejoras en aceras y pavimentos; renovación de cafetería y cocina; y la adquisición y/o instalación de un generador de emergencia; lo anterior incluye el mobiliario, el equipo, la maquinaria, los aparatos y el sitio auxiliar o relacionado, la demolición y otros trabajos necesarios en relación con los mismos; y gastar para ello, incluidos los gastos preliminares y los gastos incidentales a él y a su financiación, una suma que no exceda del costo total estimado de 10.950.000 dólares; siempre que los costos detallados de los componentes del Proyecto, según lo establecido en el Plan, pueden ser reasignados entre dichos componentes si el Consejo de Educación determina que dicha reasignación es en el mejor interés del Distrito y no se hará ningún cambio sustancial en el alcance del Proyecto; (b) que por la presente se vota un impuesto por un monto total que no exceda los $10,950,000 para financiar dicho costo total estimado, dicho impuesto será recaudado y recaudado en cuotas en los años y en los montos que determine dicha Junta de Educación, y que en anticipación de dicho impuesto, por la presente se autoriza la emisión de bonos del Distrito por el monto total del capital que no exceda los $10,950,000 y Por la presente se vota un impuesto para pagar los intereses de dichos bonos a medida que los mismos venzan y sean pagaderos; y (c) que si se aprueba esta Proposición de Bonos #2, entrará en vigencia solo en el caso de que se apruebe la Proposición de Bonos #1. Dichas Proposiciones de Bonos aparecerán en las boletas utilizadas para votar en dicha Reunión de Distrito Especial en sustancialmente las siguientes formas condensadas: PROPUESTA DE BONOS #1 SÍ NO RESUELTO: (a) Que la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Central de Yorktown, en el Condado de Westchester, Nueva York (el "Distrito"), está autorizada por la presente a construir mejoras y alteraciones a varios edificios y/o sitios escolares del Distrito, sustancialmente como se describe en un plan preparado por el Distrito con la asistencia de Arris Contracting Company, Inc. y MEMASI, y gastar en ello una suma que no exceda del costo total estimado de 45.995.000 dólares; (b) que la cantidad de $6,000,000 del "Fondo de Reserva para Mejoras de Edificios e Instalaciones" del Distrito, aprobada y enmendada por los votantes el 16 de mayo de 2017 y el 17 de mayo de 2022, se autoriza a gastar de dicho fondo para pagar una parte de dicho costo total estimado; y (c) que por la presente se vota un impuesto por un monto total que no exceda los $39,995,000 para financiar el saldo de dicho costo total estimado, dicho impuesto se impondrá y recaudará en cuotas en los años y en los montos que determine dicha Junta de Educación, y que en anticipación de dicho impuesto, Por la presente se autoriza la emisión de bonos del Distrito por un monto principal total que no exceda los $39,995,000 y por la presente se vota un impuesto pagar los intereses de dichos bonos a medida que los mismos venzan y sean pagaderos. PROPUESTA DE BONOS #2 SÍ NO RESUELTO: (a) QUE EN CASO DE QUE SE APRUEBE LA PROPOSICIÓN DE BONOS #1, la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Central de Yorktown, en el Condado de Westchester, Nueva York (el "Distrito"), está autorizada por la presente a construir mejoras y alteraciones adicionales a varios edificios y/o sitios escolares del Distrito, sustancialmente como se describe en un plan preparado por el Distrito con la asistencia de Arris Contracting Company, Inc. y MEMASI, y gastar en ello una cantidad que no exceda el costo total estimado de $10,950,000; (b) que por la presente se vota un impuesto por un monto total que no exceda los $10,950,000 para financiar dicho costo total estimado, dicho impuesto será recaudado y recaudado en cuotas en los años y en las cantidades que pueda determinar dicha Junta de Educación, y que en anticipación de dicho impuesto, por la presente se autoriza la emisión de bonos del Distrito por el monto total del capital que no exceda los $10,950,000 y por la presente se vota un impuesto para pagar los intereses de dichos bonos como el mismo serán exigibles y exigibles; y (c) que si se aprueba esta Proposición de Bonos #2, entrará en vigencia solo en el caso de que se apruebe la Proposición de Bonos #1. La votación se llevará a cabo mediante papeletas o máquinas de votación según lo dispuesto en la Ley de Educación y las urnas permanecerán abiertas desde las 7:00 a.m. hasta las 9:00 p.m. (hora prevaleciente) y tanto tiempo como sea necesario para permitir que los votantes presentes emitan su voto. ADEMÁS, SE NOTIFICA que se requiere el registro personal de los votantes, ya sea de conformidad con la Sección 2014 de la Ley de Educación o de conformidad con el Artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral. Si un votante se ha registrado previamente de conformidad con la Sección 2014 de la Ley de Educación en el Distrito Escolar Central de Yorktown y ha votado en una reunión anual o especial del distrito en dicho distrito dentro de los últimos cuatro (4) años calendario, él o ella es elegible para votar en dicha Reunión Especial del Distrito. Si un votante está registrado y es elegible para votar bajo el Artículo 5 de la Ley Electoral, él o ella también es elegible para votar en dicha Reunión Especial de Distrito. Todas las demás personas que deseen votar deben registrarse. ADEMÁS SE NOTIFICA que el registro de votantes está en curso en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito y que cualquier persona con derecho a que su nombre se coloque en el registro puede registrarse en cualquier día escolar en la Oficina de Administración del Distrito, 2725 Crompond Road, Yorktown Heights, Nueva York entre las 8:30 a.m. y las 3:00 p.m. (hora prevaleciente) hasta cinco (5) días antes de dicha Reunión Especial del Distrito, momento en el que cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre sea incluido en dicho registro de votantes, siempre que se sepa o se demuestre que tiene derecho a votar en ese momento o en lo sucesivo en dicha Reunión de Distrito Especial para la cual se prepara el registro. LEGAL NOTICES SEE LEGALSPAGE 38
PAGE 38 – YORKTOWN NEWS JANUARY 11 - JANUARY 24, 2024 NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the register prepared pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law, including the names of military voters who submitted valid military voter registrations, will be filed in the Office of the Clerk, in the District Office at 2725 Crompond Road, Yorktown Heights, New York, and that the same will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District between the hours of 9:00 o’clock A.M. and 3:00 o’clock P.M. (Prevailing Time) on each of the five (5) days prior to and including the day set for said Special District Meeting, except Sunday and on Saturday, February 10, 2024, by prior appointment only. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the Yorktown Central School District by requesting and returning a registration application to the District Clerk in person, by mail to District Clerk, Yorktown Central School District, 2725 Crompond Road, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598, Telephone 914-243-8000, Ext. 18529 or email: [email protected]. The request for the registration application may include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the registration application by either mail, fax or email. Military voter registration application forms must be received in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 o’clock P.M. on January 19, 2024. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that military voters who are qualified voters of the Yorktown Central School District, may request an application for a military ballot from the District Clerk in person, by mail to District Clerk, Yorktown Central School District, 2725 Crompond Road, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598, Telephone 914-243-8000, Ext. 18529 or email: [email protected]. In such request, the military voter may indicate their preference for receiving the application and military ballot by mail, fax or email. A military voter must return the original military ballot application by mail or in person to the office of the District Clerk at the address above. In order for a military voter to be issued a military ballot, a valid military ballot application must be received in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 o’clock P.M., on January 19, 2024. Military ballot applications received in accordance with the foregoing will be processed in the same manner as a non-military ballot application under Section 2018-a of the Education Law. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, a military voter’s original military ballot must be returned by mail or in person to the Office of the District Clerk at 2725 Crompond Road, Yorktown Heights, New York, 11530. Military ballots shall be canvassed if they are received by the District Clerk before the close of polls on February 13, 2024 showing a cancellation mark of the United States Postal Service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States Government; or received not later than 5:00 o’clock P.M. on February 13, 2024 and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto, with a date which is ascertained to be not later than the day before said Special District Meeting. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that applications for early mail ballots and absentee ballots will be available at the Office of the District Clerk, Administration Building, 2725 Crompond Road, Yorktown Heights, New York for eligible residents after January 14, 2024 between the hours of 9:00 o’clock A.M. and 3:00 o’clock P.M. (Prevailing Time), Monday through Friday, except holidays. In accordance with Education Law Section 2018-a and Section 2018-e, such completed application for absentee ballot or early mail ballot must be received by the District Clerk at least seven days before said Special District Meeting if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before said Special District Meeting, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or the voter’s authorized agent(s) set forth in the early mail voter ballot application or absentee ballot application at the District Clerk’s Office. Absentee ballots and early mail ballots must be received by the District Clerk not later than 5:00 o’clock P.M., (Prevailing Time), on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that a list of persons to whom early mail ballots and absentee ballots are issued will be available for inspection to qualified voters of the District in the office of the District Clerk on and after Thursday, February 8, 2024 between the hours of 9:00 o’clock A.M. and 3:00 o’clock P.M. (Prevailing Time) on weekdays prior to the day set for said Special District Meeting and on February 13, 2024, the day set for said Special District Meeting. Any qualified voter may, upon examination of such list, file a written challenge of the qualifications as a voter of any person whose name appears on such list, stating the reasons for such challenge. Any such written challenge shall be transmitted by the District Clerk or a designee of the Board of Education to the inspectors of election on the date set for said Special District Meeting. A challenge to an absentee ballot may not be made on the basis that the voter should have applied for an early mail ballot and a challenge to an early mail ballot may not be made on the basis that the voter should have applied for an absentee ballot. Only qualified voters who are registered to vote will be permitted to vote. BY THE ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION Dated: December 18, 2023 Yvette Segal District Clerk ADEMÁS SE NOTIFICA que el registro preparado de conformidad con la Sección 2014 de la Ley de Educación, incluidos los nombres de los votantes militares que presentaron registros válidos de votantes militares, se presentará en la Oficina del Secretario, en la Oficina del Distrito en 2725 Crompond Road, Yorktown Heights, Nueva York, y que el mismo estará abierto para la inspección de cualquier votante calificado del Distrito entre las 9:00 a.m. y las 3:00 a.m. P.M. (Hora prevaleciente) en cada uno de los cinco (5) días anteriores e incluyendo el día establecido para dicha Reunión Especial de Distrito, excepto el domingo y el sábado 10 de febrero de 2024, solo con cita previa. ADEMÁS, SE DA AVISO de que los votantes militares que no están registrados actualmente pueden solicitar registrarse como votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar Central de Yorktown solicitando y devolviendo una solicitud de registro al Secretario del Distrito en persona, por correo al Secretario del Distrito, Distrito Escolar Central de Yorktown, 2725 Crompond Road, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598, Teléfono 914-243-8000, Ext. 18529 o correo electrónico: [email protected]. La solicitud de la solicitud de registro puede incluir la preferencia del votante militar para recibir la solicitud de registro por correo, fax o correo electrónico. Los formularios de solicitud de registro de votantes militares deben recibirse en la oficina del Secretario de Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. del 19 de enero de 2024. ADEMÁS, SE NOTIFICA que los votantes militares que son votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar Central de Yorktown, pueden solicitar una solicitud para una boleta militar del Secretario del Distrito en persona, por correo al Secretario del Distrito, Distrito Escolar Central de Yorktown, 2725 Crompond Road, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598, Teléfono 914- 243-8000, Ext. 18529 o correo electrónico: [email protected]. En dicha solicitud, el votante militar puede indicar su preferencia por recibir la solicitud y la boleta militar por correo, fax o correo electrónico. Un votante militar debe devolver la solicitud original de boleta militar por correo o en persona a la oficina del Secretario de Distrito a la dirección anterior. Para que un votante militar reciba una boleta militar, se debe recibir una solicitud válida de boleta militar en la oficina del Secretario de Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. del 19 de enero de 2024. Las solicitudes de boletas militares recibidas de acuerdo con lo anterior se procesarán de la misma manera que una solicitud de boleta no militar según la Sección 2018-a de la Ley de Educación. ADEMÁS, SE DA AVISO DE QUE la boleta militar original de un votante militar debe devolverse por correo o en persona a la Oficina del Secretario de Distrito en 2725 Crompond Road, Yorktown Heights, Nueva York, 11530. Las boletas militares serán escrutadas si son recibidas por el Secretario de Distrito antes del cierre de las urnas el 13 de febrero de 2024 mostrando una marca de cancelación del Servicio Postal de los Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un país extranjero, o mostrando un endoso fechado de recepción por otra agencia del Gobierno de los Estados Unidos; o recibido a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. del 13 de febrero de 2024 y firmado y fechado por el votante militar y un testigo del mismo, con una fecha que se determina que no es posterior al día anterior a dicha Reunión Especial de Distrito. ADEMÁS, SE NOTIFICA que las solicitudes de boletas anticipadas por correo y boletas de voto en ausencia estarán disponibles en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito, Edificio de Administración, 2725 Crompond Road, Yorktown Heights, Nueva York para los residentes elegibles después del 14 de enero de 2024 entre las 9:00 a.m. y las 3:00 p.m. (hora prevaleciente), de lunes a viernes, excepto los días festivos. De acuerdo con la Sección 2018-a y la Sección 2018-e de la Ley de Educación, dicha solicitud completa de boleta de voto ausente o boleta de voto anticipado por correo debe ser recibida por el Secretario del Distrito al menos siete días antes de dicha Reunión Especial del Distrito si la boleta se va a enviar por correo al votante, o el día antes de dicha Reunión Especial del Distrito. si la boleta debe entregarse personalmente al votante o a los agentes autorizados del votante establecidos en la solicitud de boleta de votante por correo anticipado o la solicitud de boleta de voto en ausencia en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito. Las boletas de voto ausente y las boletas anticipadas por correo deben ser recibidas por el Secretario del Distrito a más tardar a las 5:00 p.m. (hora prevaleciente) del martes 13 de febrero de 2024. ADEMÁS, SE NOTIFICA que una lista de personas a las que se emiten boletas anticipadas por correo y boletas de voto en ausencia estará disponible para inspección para los votantes calificados del Distrito en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito a partir del jueves 8 de febrero de 2024 entre las 9:00 a.m. y las 3:00 p.m. (hora prevaleciente) en días laborables anteriores al día establecido para dicha Reunión Especial del Distrito y el 13 de febrero, 2024, día fijado para dicha Reunión Especial de Distrito. Cualquier elector calificado podrá, tras examinar dicha lista, presentar una impugnación por escrito de las calificaciones como votante de cualquier persona cuyo nombre aparezca en dicha lista, indicando las razones de dicha impugnación. Cualquier impugnación por escrito será transmitida por el Secretario del Distrito o una persona designada por la Junta de Educación a los inspectores electorales en la fecha fijada para dicha Reunión Especial del Distrito. No se puede hacer una impugnación a una boleta de voto en ausencia sobre la base de que el votante debería haber solicitado una boleta de voto por correo anticipado y no se puede hacer una impugnación a una boleta de voto por correo anticipado sobre la base de que el votante debería haber solicitado una boleta de voto en ausencia. Solo los votantes calificados que estén registrados para votar podrán votar. POR ORDEN DE LA JUNTA DE EDUCACIÓN Fechado: 18 de diciembre de 2023 Yvette Segal Secretario de Distrito LEGAL NOTICES LEGALS FROM PAGE 36 LEGALS FROM PAGE 37 Contact Us Yorktown News is located at 118 N. Bedford Road, Suite 100, Mount Kisco, NY 10549. You can contact us at 914-302-5830 or email yorktownnews@ halstonmedia.com.
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