News 12 coverage of Kujtim Nicaj story

Gothamist, WNBC and many others have pounced on the Rye Building Super story– the man who was busted at Rye Colony apartments for allegedly having sex with a tenant’s dog. Apparently he was caught on tape with the owner’s nanny cam.

An attorney for Kujtim Nicaj, who is married with two kids, maintains his innocence, says LoHud. Nicaj was charged with burglary and bestiality.

The victim, a Labrador Retriever, could not be reached for comment.

Rye Marshlands - Catherine Wachs

Submit your local photo by email or to our looppool on flickr, and we’ll post one at the end of every weekday.

As you probably know, Playland will close in its current form, and a few proposals are being considered for its future. Among them is Sustainable Playland , a plan that “takes a holistic approach to create a year-round destination that will unlock the full recreational, environmental and entertainment value of Playland while respecting the historical integrity of the Park.”

Sustainable Playland will hold an open meeting Tuesday, February 28, 7:00 PM at the
Mamaroneck Library (enter by Emelin Theater)

Come learn about the only locally generated proposal for the re-invention of
Playland from the architects and developers who hope to make it a reality.

About Sustainable Playland:
Sustainable Playland is a grass-roots, non-profit organization that submitted a proposal for the re-invention of Playland Park in March 2010. We are the only homegrown proposal among the three finalists being considered by the County Executive.

Our proposal envisions a year-round, family-oriented destination that retains the historic amusement park, while adding such new attractions as a Great Lawn, ballfields, a water-deck, restaurants, an event space and more.  Created by the architects and developers responsible for such landmark projects as the renovation of Grand Central Station and the Highline; the Sustainable Playland proposal lays out a bold new vision for one of Southern Westchester’s great public spaces.

photos: June Marie Sobrito

Over in Rye, where Council meetings are taped for air on Rye TV, the Rye Sound Shore Review reports that city officials withheld information to the public, manipulated video footage and instructed a subordinate to lie, according to a Rye TV employee.

“The accusations flung at City Manager Scott Pickup and Rye TV public access coordinator Nicole Levitsky, stem from the handling of a controversial Jan. 25 council workshop. And councilmembers themselves may have been deceived, according to the employee.”

…And news that Council Member Suzanna Keith, who ran an unsuccessful campaign against Judy Myers for the Westchester Legislature will resign in May. Her family is relocating to Houston where he husband has taken a job. Keith is quoted as saying “Our family is devastated to be leaving all of our wonderful friends after living in Westchester County for over 15 years.”

This morning Larchmont resident Gregg Goldshall and some of his neighbors found this injured hawk on Echo Lane.

“We got the hawk off the road, it hopped on its one good leg,” he wrote in an email.

Someone called the Village Animal Hospital, where Sandra Blanco has a wildlife license. She says she contacted Animal Nation and the hawk is now at Rye Harrison Animal Hospital, which handles exotics, and is being treated.

Have a pet you love, that needs a home or just know a great one? Submit a photo and we’ll feature it in “Pet Project”

Rye Police Department

Last week, Rye Police told us of a burglary at at 47C Peck Avenue at the Rye Colony Coop apartment complex, where the apartment was burglarized with no forced entry, and the superintendent was charged.

Now the District Attorney’s office tells us there are sexual misconduct charges referencing bestiality. It is unknown what kind of animal was involved.  A Judge in Rye has issued a gag order and no documents are to be made public.

The super, Kujitim Nicaj, who resides at 58C Peck Avenue, was reportedly given notice to vacate the property. He is due to appear in Rye City Court March 6.

Additional reporting by Jacqueline Silberbush

If you’re sticking around, there’s plenty to do. Here are some suggestions from the Journal News to do with kids, and as always, watch our Coming Up column.

If you’re leaving for the break, listen up:  In light of a marked increase in local break-ins, police say prep the house to make it look like you’re not away.

Speaking at a crime prevention workshop last week, Town of Mamaroneck police urged residents to create a “vacation plan” that includes steps like putting house lights on timers and stopping mail and newspapers. Alerting neighbors to your departure is another wise move, they said.

In addition, the Town also has a “dark house” program that under which residents can notify police that their house is going to be vacant so they can keep a closer eye on it. Residents in other municipalities can request police drive-bys as well.

Holidays, vacations times and summer breaks are burglars’ biggest opportunities, police said.

photo courtesy audobon center on flickr

The Rye Neck School Board last night voted to accept a bid to raze the Gedney farmhouse, possibly the oldest building in Mamaroneck, as early as next week.

The demotion will reportedly take three weeks. A fence is already installed around one of the two buildings, built in 1790,which sit on property now owned by the Rye Neck School District.

According to Carol B. Akin, a Mamaroneck resident who helped to lead the fight against the Rye Neck School Board, the Board accepted the bid of Garito Contracting, of Yonkers, at a cost of $104,000.

“What was disturbing was that Garito was the only bid mentioned….the others were not given.  We wonder why, and what other bids were. The agenda was not posted on the website until about a day or so before the meeting, said Akin.

The School District begins winter vacation for a week after school on Friday.  School officials were unavailable at press time and will be contacted today for comment.

Rye Free Reading Room

Here’s a story for you- the Rye Storytellers Guild has met every Tuesday evening for 25 years at the Rye Free Reading Room.  The stories they could tell.

This winter and spring the Rye Storytelling Guild will offer a course in how to spin a good yarn.

Classes held on the first Tuesday of each month from 6.30 to 8.30 pm (next class is March 8) and will focus on how and where to find a story you yearn to tell, how to shape and prepare the story, how to enhance its telling, the presentation of your story, and a celebration of storytelling graduates.

Workshop led by celebrated storyteller Carol Birch. To sign up call 914.231.3161 or email Neva Winter at newinter4@optonline.net.

photo: Rand Realty via flickr

We received the following note from the group trying to save the Gedney Farmhouse about possible action at tonight’s Rye Neck School Board meeting:

We want to bring you up to date — and right now, the news is not good:  On Friday, Feb. 10th, the Board of Education was taking bids for demolition of thIs 1790 Farm House.   This undoubtedly means that at their Wednesday, February 15th School Board Meeting, the Rye Neck Board of Education will set the date for demolition.  If there’s any action to be taken, it must be done quickly.  The head custodian informed us recently that it could be only a month until demolition after a date is set!

The Gedney Farm House is the oldest building in Mamaroneck, is the last building from the Federal Period left in Mamaroneck.  It was the home of the Gedneys, a very prominent family in Mamaroneck and throughout all of Westchester.  An early Gedney married the granddaughter of John RIchbell the founder of Mamaroneck before the house was built….Thus this home represents not only Gedney descendants but Richbell descendants, and is thus one of the most historically significant homes in Mamaroneck.

The Rye Neck School Board has been determined to demolish this house.  They will no longer rent it, nor will they sell the property….Our only alternative is to move the house.Non-Rye Neck citizens, the Historical Societies of Mamaroneck and Rye, and Gedney descendants found out about this only the end of October, and have been making an enormous effort to find a way to find a location and funding, to preserve it, and need more time… We have several leads yet to follow. But with no concrete proposals on the table, the School Board is proceding with demolition plans.

They let the Larchmont Historical Society walk through last week, taking “final” pictures to document the house.  Mamaroneck Historical Society’s turn was Monday.  Although the outlook seems bleak, we’re not giving up.  It would be a total travesty to take this historic house down, and we’re going to keep trying to find a solution!

You can reach CONCERNED CITIZENS FOR PRESERVING THE GEDNEY FARMHOUSE at  Savegedneyfarmhouse@gmail.com

photos: june marie sobrito

submitted by Loop reader Mark Lane:

There are people who think I am knowledgeable about beer.   Probably because I drink a lot of it.  And because much of the time, no one has ever heard of the strange brands they find me with.  So the topic comes up a lot.  I try to steer people towards a good American-made craft beer, particularly India Pale Ales, which have become an art form in this country in the last decade.

I now have a fairly narrow range of IPA’s that I will drink.  Has to be a strict IPA, not some “chocolate IPA” or something.  I prefer “American style” IPA: basic stuff, not the “San Diego” or “Belgian” style IPA’s, which I regard as abominations and insults to an intelligent palate.

Anyway…you may have noticed, Stop-n-Shop doesn’t stock a wide selection of American craft beers, never mind the elite, high-end IPA’s that I, with my refined tastes, now require.  In fact, I’m hard pressed to find one bottle in the entire selection at any local grocery store, or even “gourmet food store”, that I would consider worth the electricity required to bring it to a proper temperature.

So…where does one get these Most Excellent Beers?   Rye Beverage.   You may have passed this place without much noticing.  It’s on the Post Road, on the left as you are heading into Rye, next to the Gulf station with all the Corvettes.  From the outside, it looks unremarkable.

Go inside, it’s a different story.  Owner Michael Bergenfeld is a true beer enthusiast, who knows his product and will gladly engage you in a discussion of which beer might best suit your tastes.

On one side of the store, you’ll find shelves lined with many of the finest brews available anywhere:   Dogfish Head, Lagunitas, Sixpoint, Heavy Seas, Redhook, Cigar City, Southern Tier, Brooklyn, Flying Dog, Dirty Bastard, and many others.  Plus, of course, all your standards, like Sam Adams, Sierra Nevada,  etc.  On the opposite side, most of these are also available chilled in a wall of coolers.  And in the back, growlers.

Growlers have been around for a long time.  Some variety of the thing was used at least as early as the 18th Century, to carry beer home from the local pub.  Modern growlers are ½ gallon glass jugs, which are filled from a tap and snugged with a metal cap.  A properly poured growler can generally be kept (cold) for around 24 hours, maybe a little more.  But what’s the point of that?  Just drink it.

Rye Beverage keeps six fine American craft beers on tap in the store for sale in growlers, including locally brewed Captain Lawrence (which is the same as the Larchmont Tavern’s trademark “LT” ale,) Sixpoint IPA, and Dogfish Head 60.  Stop in, pick up a growler, drink it, and bring the bottle back for more.

Cold turkey commute. Don’t even think about lighting up while waiting for your Metro-North train. Doing so could get you kicked off the platform, up to $50 in fines or a trip to jail.

The MTA‘s new ban on outdoor smoking starts today, following a months-long grace period the agency gave smokers to get used to the idea. The ban, which had a soft launch in November, prohibits smoking on Metro-North and Long Island Railroad outdoor platforms, as well as ticketing and boarding areas.

The ban does not apply to Metro-North stations in Connecticut.

Violators have gotten away with just warnings since November. But after several months of  leafleting, signs, announcements and electronic alerts, the MTA now expects passengers to play by the rules.

If you want to move right in, this 4-bedroom 4-bathroom open floorplan house near the Osborne School may be just right for your Valentine. Two porches, trellises and backyard, and, the listing says, a New England feel throughout. 2 car garage.

Check out all of the MLS listings in theLoop Real Estate Marketplace.

You may recall our conflicted feelings about the new M-8 rail cars on the Metro-North Red Line.

Your chances of riding a cleaner, more comfortable | more sterile, computer-voice   train between Connecticut and Grand Central just increased. Metro-North and the State of Connecticut added more new cars to the New Haven Line.

As of Monday, 78 new cars are operating on the line — enough to cover about 24% of regular weekday rides.  The new M-8 railcars will cover an even higher percent of weekend travelers.

It will be years, though, before the entire existing fleet is replaced.  There are a total of 380 new cars on order. More sticky floors to enjoy for years to come.

The Citibank hit by skim scam in Rye

We were at the Rye Police Department Tuesday checking out the ATM scam that cost five locals money over the weekend when two more victims came in to report the same thing happened to them.

(see the official complaints, at end, below)

Police say security cameras on Sunday captured thieves installing a skimmer onto the ATM at the Citibank branch at 1040 Boston Post Road. Although the scam artists removed the device before it was discovered, the skimmer was in the machine long enough to record users’ ATM card and pin numbers.

If you want to know how a skimmer works, check out this FBI description.

Citibank has reviewed every account that was accessed through the ATM over the weekend and notified victims, police say.

The individuals reporting illegal withdrawals from their bank accounts this weekend, however, most likely had their personal information ripped off at a Rye ATM as long ago as November, police say. At least four of the illegal withdrawals, including one for $9,200, were made at ATMs in Manhattan. It usually takes about a month to make fake ATM cards with a magnetic strip that matches the original.

Police, who have been battling ATM skimmers since September, say the threat of them continues. Precautions include wiggling the ATM card slot (a loose ATM slot may indicate a skimmer), cover the keypad while entering your pin and be on alert for suspicious activity.

A recent skimming scam at the Staples store in the Town of Mamaroneck resulted in the arrest of an employee.

Complaints filed at Rye PD:

Assist Citizen: Someone stole $4,000 from a checking account and $2,000 from a savings account from an ATM in Manhattan without permission. Feb.5

Assist Citizen: Someone stole $1000 from a Citibank account from Avenue Of The Americas without permission. Feb.6

Assist Citizen: Someone stole $4000 from a Citibank checking/savings account without permission. Feb. 6

Assist Citizen: Someone stole $9200 from a Citibank checking/savings account in New York City without permission. Feb. 6

Assist Citizen: Someone stole $4500 from a Citibank checking/savings account on Park Avenue in New York City. Feb. 6

It has dominated the news in Rye for months: Did Mayor Doug French receive any preferential treatment in terms of property taxes or other favors? The colorful Ray Tartaglione certainly thinks so.

French released a memo this morning (read it in full below) saying the matter  is now “closed” after the determination of the City Ethics Board (which hadn’t met in nearly a decade.)

Rye Mayor Doug French

Dear Resident,

I am writing today to update you on the complaint brought forward by Ray Tartaglione of Purchase, NY and Leon Sculti of Rye against Rye’s Mayor, City Manager, Corporation Counsel, Tax Assessor, Building Inspector and the Board of Ethics. I am able to report that the matter is now closed and attached is the finding from the Board of Ethics which essentially says that the Mayor neither sought nor received preferential treatment on issues related to his property; and that Rye homeowners in similar situations receive the same treatment. In the end, this has never been about an issue isolated to the Mayor, but about the process of selling and moving from a home that residents face everyday and are handled by City staff in the same way.

The Complaint

Last week in a process consistent with our Charter, I called for the City’s Board of Ethics to review a complaint against me and City officials for allegedly acting improperly with respect to two issues — a legacy building violation and a misapplied STAR Tax exemption — on a residential property I own. The reason I called for a review by the Board was because of misleading press reports and statements from elected City officials which were parroting the allegations by the accusers and distorted the issues without looking at the facts of the matter at hand. As the persons being accused, there were never any specific charges or facts of misconduct directed at me or City staff, just allegations about the perception of the possibility that improper behavior could have taken place. Really? Here are the facts:



The Building Violation

In July of this year, a complaint was phoned into the Building Department about a potential illegal finished bedroom/storage on the third floor of a single-family rental home I own that was being shown for sale. This is common in Rye and that is how we bought it. Tragically, the City Building Inspector passed away in August and a violation was subsequently issued once a new inspector was in place — just like with any resident. In my case, the alleged building violation happened 40 years ago — I was in the 3rd grade, and most likely given the minimal work done it was not a violation at that time. However, we have taken the steps necessary to comply with today’s regulations as the process requires. I have believed for a long time and will work with the Council to focus on how the City can better facilitate with home-sellers who find themselves in the position of having to legalize work that was done by previous property owners.

The STAR Tax Exemption


STAR is a New York State program that was changed in 2011 and as a result, many flaws in the program and discrepancies arose this spring on properties not just in Rye, but statewide in the administration and eligibility of the program. As required, we had filed our new primary residence when we moved homes in 2000. However, in many cases, the STAR exemption is not removed from a previous property owner when the owner files a new application. The standard procedure when discrepancies are found with exemptions is that the exemption is removed going forward – although the law does allow for a look back period of up to 3 years by the taxing authority, in this case New York State. Unlike how these issues are normally handled, my position has consistently been “we owe what we owe” — so I applied as part of an amnesty program and have made full restitution plus penalties based on the calculations submitted to me by the County Tax Assessor on January 19th.

The Process


Finally someone, in this case the Board of Ethics, took the time to examine the facts and understand the issues amidst the calls by the accusers for independent investigations, conflicts of interest, and separate legal counsel. The people of Rye have been very supportive and have seen this for the episode that it is. The most disappointing aspect though has been how quickly some media reports and elected official comments have passed judgment in-line with the allegations of the accusers which attempted to harm the reputations and call into question the integrity of those that work for and serve the City.

While stopping short of calling for an apology to those that have been falsely accused, I am calling to restore civility to Council Chambers. Skepticism of government is healthy, but continuing personal attacks on ones motives and reputation has turned that skepticism into an obsession as been displayed the last few months. Yes, mistakes will be made, but they get corrected. It’s time to get back to solving the problems of Rye that the residents care most about. We volunteer to serve the public for the simple reason that we care about our community.

Douglas French

Mayor, City of Rye

It is possible to have a Rye address and walk to the train for about $100K. Four rooms, hardwood floors, near the swanky shops on Purchase Street and with easy driving access to I-95.

The listing is one of hundreds in theLoop’s Real Estate Listings Marketplace.

A local author we interviewed last year and her extraordinary story come to the Larchmont Library February 12. In her gripping and often unsettling memoir, fathermothergod, My Journey Out of Christian Science  Lucia Greenhouse tells of the pains of growing up in a family with fervent Christian Science beliefs.

 Her own thoughts of religion often clashed with her parents’; most forcefully when her mother became seriously ill with cancer and her father consulted Christian Science healers, instead of doctors. Come hear Linda Greenhouse’s profound struggle with family and faith.

Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. in the Larchmont Village Center, 121 Larchmont Avenue. Complimentary wine and snacks at 3:30. The event is free and open to the public. Sponsored by Friends of the Larchmont Public Library.

http://www.friendsoflarchmontlibrary.org  (914-954-7481)

image courtesy of the author

 

Another longtime favorite bites the dust with the closing of Rags in Rye in mid-March.

The clothing store, known for selling original pieces that you don’t always find in department stores, has been at its 61 Purchase Street location for 37 years.

The Rye store was the flagship of a small chain of shops that included a Rags in Larchmont.

Rags will keep its seasonal stores in Edgartown and Block Island open, a store employee says. But the Rye closing is part of the owners’ slow transition into semi-retirement, which started years ago with closings of shops in Larchmont and the Hamptons.

No word on who will move into the prime storefront space.

Rye Police Department

The Rye Police report some of the area’s most vulnerable homeowners are part of a widening telephone solicitation scam.

Without naming any victims, police say several recent incidents of callers asking elderly people to wire money to a relative in a foreign country have been reported in the county, with one, possibly more of the calls, received in Rye.

“Typically, the caller will claim that the victim’s son or grandson has been traveling overseas and has been involved in an accident or has been kidnapped, and needs money for ransom or to avoid being jailed,” a Rye PD spokesman said.

The money is wired, and it’s gone.

Residents should always report any anonymous request for money, police say.

Here’s an oldie: Five things you may not know about the neighborhood.

Loop TV: Believe it or Not from looptv on Vimeo.

Fifteen of those charged with crimes ranging from disorderly conduct to assault in the Rye Playland riot last summer had their cases dropped yesterday (Tuesday). A Rye Town Court judge told the defendants, however, that they must stay out of trouble for two months.

Tempers flared when those wearing Hijabs, the traditional head-covering for Muslim women, were refused entry on August 30. The case inspired debate about whether the State Police over-reacted.

As the New York Times reports, all of the female defendants wore headscarves to Court.

The story on Gothamist.

photo: Heidi Silverstein

As Rye preps for implementing its plastic bag ban, neighboring communities are considering following suit.

Although there are no formal proposals yet, leaders of the Town of Mamaroneck and the Villages of Mamaroneck and Larchmont say they, too, will consider banning single-use disposable plastic bags, like the kind we use in supermarkets.

The bags, only a fraction of which is recycled, are widely blamed for littering streets, clogging waterways and harming marine life.

But there are other benefits to banning the bags, too.

“By reducing the amount of trash, there’s the environmental benefit,” says Mamaroneck Town Administrator Stephen Altieri. “And if we can reduce our solid waste cost, there is a dual benefit.”

In approving the law in December, Rye became the first municipality in Westchester, and one of just a handful around the country, to have  all-out bans on the books. The law, under which retailers who use plastic bags will be fined $150, will take effect in June.

Rye’s ban is one of the more radical approaches to the problem. In Washington, D.C., for example, shoppers are charged 5 cents for every bag they get from retailers.

– Photos: Jacqueline Silberbush

Many of the “suspects” in the Muslim “headgear riot” at Playland in August are in Rye City Court this morning, and the Westchester DA’s office tells us “the case may be resolved” today.

There are about fifteen defendants, most from Brooklyn, who were charged with a variety of crimes, including assault, when  some of the women tried to gain entry on rides that prohibit any kind of headwear.

Tempers flared when those wearing Hijabs, the traditional head-covering for Muslim women, were refused entry. The case inspired debate about whether the police over-reacted.

They were there as part of a trip sponsored by the Muslim American Society of New York.

photos: Heidi Silverstein

U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey, who represents most of Westchester and parts of Rockland Counties in Congress, made fast friends with a group of New Rochelle High School seniors during a classroom visit Monday, inviting them to meet again online Tuesday night during President Obama’s State of the Union address.

“I don’t want to talk at you,” Congresswoman Lowey, a Democrat who represents New York’s 18th District, said.  ”I want to have a conversation.”

Lowey’s visit to teacher Darren Gurney’s AP macroeconomics class was a precursor to the virtual Facebook and Twitter chat with students she has planned for before and after the President’s speech. Students can participate by going to Lowey’s Facebook page  or using the hashtag #LoweyChat on Twitter.

She also will meet with New Rochelle High AP government students in Washington later this week.

Lowey reiterated several times her commitment to staying non-partisan during the classroom discussion, which touched on her priorities: creating jobs, investing in education and tax relief.

She did, however, come right out and say how important she thinks it is for young people to get involved in their government as soon as they are old enough.

“It’s sad to me that in this great country of ours such a small percentage of people vote,” she said.

“Whatever you do with your life, I hope you will take some time for public service because it is very rewarding.”

Photo courtesy of Paul Costiglio

The Voracious Reader

Westchester may have more writers per capita than any place in the country. You, too, can learn about writing prose, poetry, blogging, memoirs, food writing, young adult fiction….here:

The Hudson Valley Writers’ Center– is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1988 with a mission to advance the art and craft of writing by encouraging writers and readers at all levels to participate in and enjoy the literary arts. It offers classes for professional and amateur writers, presents public readings by well-known and emerging prose writers and poets, does outreach work in several community sites, and publishes at least one book of poetry each year under the imprint Slapering Hol Press.

The Center’s headquarters is the restored Philipse Manor railroad station, which overlooks the Hudson River in the village of Sleepy Hollow.  Workshops include Blog Writing, How to Write Page Turning Fiction, Memoir Writing, Writing About Food, as well as workshops for young adults.

Learn to Tell: Storytelling Workshops at The Rye Library: This winter and spring the Rye Storytelling Guild will offer a course in how to spin a good yarn.   Classes held on the first Tuesday of each month from 6.30 to 8.30 pm and will focus on how and where to find a story you yearn to tell, how to shape and prepare the story, how to enhance its telling, the presentation of your story, and a celebration of storytelling graduates. Workshop led by celebrated storyteller Carol Birch. To sign up call 914.231.3161 or email Neva Winter at newinter4@optonline.net.

Adult and Young adult workshops at The Voracious Reader: Got a Work In Progress? Register now to prevent the winter blahs!  Adult fiction classes will be held Thursdays, 12:00-2:00; 
February 5-April. 5^th. 
Workshop Fee: $825.00.   For adults writing YA or middle grade fiction: finish your work-in-progress or start a new one in this 10-week workshop with author, Phyllis Shalant, author and adjunct professor in the Graduate Writing Program at Manhattanville College.  Call The VR at 914.592.2278 to register.

WritopiaLabs at The Voracious Reader–As part of its dedication to nurturing young writers, The Voracious Reader has partnered with WritopiaLab, a wonderful national non-profit that offers writing workshops for kids from 8 to 18 years old. The Voracious Reader is the southern Westchester home of this group, with engaging and inspiring workshops led by director Lena Roy.  “The kids practically run through our front door to get to their class!” says owner Francine Lucidon.

George Latimer at one of his "Coffee with George" meetings in Mamaroneck

Have you received an anonymous robo-call opposing George Latimer, the Democratic State Assemblyman representing a District, the 37th, stretching from part of New Rochelle to Port Chester?

The automated calls – which slam Latimer’s record – started just 12 hours after Democratic State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer announced on Thursday that she would not be seeking reelection. The recorded caller never states his name or affiliation. One recipient described the message as “nasty.”

The calls have been traced to an Albany-area law firm, McClung Peters & Simon, that represents the State Senate GOP, says Latimer, who is considering a run for Oppenheimer’s seat.  Repeated phone calls to the law firm were not answered.

These calls are also apparently illegal.  Anonymous robocalls that are political or advocacy in nature are prohibited under federal law, according to a campaign law expert.

Latimer says he views the calls as “very sad,” as much for what they represent as the skewed message they deliver.

“Attack politics before there is even a campaign underway,” he says.

He added, “It does tell me if I run, it will be an expensive, contentious race; less so because of Bob (Cohen, who already has a 2012 election website up), whom I think is a good guy, and more because of the Senate Republican majority that wants to capture the seat.”

photo courtesy George Latimer

Rye Police Department

Illegal Dumping: On Mildred Avenue a portable stop sign was placed in a driveway, the complainant reports that his ex wife may have put it there. Jan.3

Aggravated Assault: On Peck Avenue, in the apartments, an armed encounter with unknown individuals took place but fled the scene before four police cars arrived. Jan.4

Larceny: Damage was done to the town dock near AYC on Stuyvesant Ave at 11:09am. Jan.5

Suspicious Person: On Holly Lane a caller reported a naked male teenager running out of Loudon Woods onto Post Road crying at 7:56pm. When police arrived they found him highly intoxicated and he was taken without any identification to Greenwich hospital by EMS. Jan. 7

Larceny: A locked bicycle was stolen from the Station Plaza train station at 11:12am. Jan. 7

Shopping carts are rolling away. Cars are shaking. Hold onto your hats — and just about everything else.  The strong winds that blew into Westchester this morning, prompting a National Weather Service Wind Advisory, are expected to stick around at least through midnight.

The gusts could reach up to 50 miles per hour, according to the Weather Service, meaning travel could be hazardous.

Flight delays at area airports were already growing long by early afternoon.  Flights at La Guardia, for example, were running an hour and 40 minutes behind schedule at 1 p.m. The speed limit on area bridges, including the Tappan Zee, had reportedly been reduced.

Although the winds are expected to die down overnight, forecasters are calling for a weekend that feels like winter. The Weather Service forecast calls for sunny skies with a high of 37 on Saturday and just 29 on Sunday. Temperatures are expected to bounce back a bit on Monday, the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, to a high of 39.

Oppenheimer with daughter and granddaughter at last election party (photo:theLoop)

Sen. Suzi Oppenheimer (D-Mamaroneck) will not run for re-election and will retire at the end of her term after 28 years in the New York State Senate.

Oppenheimer, 77,  writes on her website the decision came because she learned she will need extensive shoulder replacement surgery:

“It had always been my plan to seek re-election in November and continue to serve the people of this district.  When considering my responsibilities as Senator, the extensive effort that will go into rehabilitation and physical therapy following my surgery, and the added work of the hard fought campaigns I always wage, it became clear to me that I could do only two of those three important tasks.”

Already there is speculation that the race for the seat, an important Democratic stronghold, will become a contest  between Assesmblyman George Latimer, a Democrat from Rye, and Bob Cohen, a Republican who lost to Oppenheimer in 2010 by about 700 votes.

Links:

• Albany Watch (from LoHud.com)
• Capitol Confidential
• City Room
• State of Politics
• The Caucus (NYT)
• The Daily Politics
• The Empire Page
• The Politicker

More coming

Rye Brook is a Village within the Town of Rye that established in 1982, when a group of citizens began a movement for independence from the Town.

I have always been told that Rye Brook seceded from Port Chester, but can find no documentation of this. Does anyone know if this is true or urban legend?

photos: Jacqueline Silberbush

From the Heard in Rye Speaker Series:

“Reducing Environmental Toxins and their Impact on Children” will be explored by Dr. Maida Galvez and Rhonda Sherwood and at the next Heard in Rye Speaker Series lecture, Wednesday, January 25, at 7 p.m. in the Rye Neck High School Community Room, 300 Hornidge Road in Mamaroneck. Admission is free. Everyone is welcome.

Dr. Galvez and Ms. Sherwood will provide a thorough and empowering presentation about environmental toxins, the hazards they pose, and how to avoid them, citing ways to make feasible and immediate life changes. They will also share the latest scientific research and information on several subjects including early puberty and breast cancer in younger women as they relate to the presentation topic.

Dr. Galvez, Associate Professor in the Departments of Preventive Medicine and Pediatrics, directs the Mount Sinai Region 2 Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU) and is a practicing pediatrician. Dr. Galvez is Co-Principal Investigator of a National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and EPA funded research project entitled “Growing Up Healthy in East Harlem,” Co-Investigator of an NIEHS/NCI (National Cancer Institute) funded Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Project and Co-Investigator of the CDC funded IMPACT Diabetes study. She currently serves on the EPA’s Office of Children’s Health Protection Federal Advisory Committee. Dr. Galvez holds an MD and MPH from Mount Sinai School of Medicine. She trained in the Social Pediatrics Residency Program at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, followed by a Pediatric Chief Residency at Jacobi Medical Center and a fellowship in Environmental Pediatrics at Mount Sinai.

A lifelong advocate of organic foods and toxic-free living, Ms. Sherwood has served as Vice Chairman of the Executive Board of the Mount Sinai Children’s Environmental Health Center in New York for the past five years, prior to which she worked as a hospital management consultant. She was also previously employed by GE Healthcare. Ms. Sherwood holds a degree in biomedical engineering from Purdue University and an MBA from Northwestern University.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012 @ 7 pm
Rye Neck High School Community Room
300 Hornidge Road, Mamaroneck NY

 

photo: Annie Hazelwood

The Mamaroneck High School Multi-Cultural Club, the Hommocks Seventh Grade Choir, and students from Rye Neck High School will perform at the 25th Martin Luther King, Jr. public celebration, Wed, January 11th, at the Hommocks Auditorium in Larchmont at 7:30 PM.

Civil rights leader and Senior Pastor Emeritus of New York’s Riverside Church, Dr. James A. Forbes, will deliver the keynote address.  (more about Dr. Forbes below)

John Gitlitz, a social-activist and Purchase College professor from Mamaroneck Village, who helped safeguard local immigrant rights, will receive the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Award. Paula Eisenberg and Dr. Judy Silberstein, the two founders of the all-volunteer Larchmont Gazette, the community’s first digital newspaper, will be given a special tribute. (earlier story)

Dr. Forbes

In 1989, Dr. Forbes became the first African American minister of the multicultural Riverside Church built by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. in 1937. He retired in 2007. Newsweek described him some years back as “one of the 12 most effective preachers in the English-speaking world.” Before joining the Church, he was a professor for nine years at Union Theological Seminary.

In his talk, “Looking Back, Moving Forward,” Dr. Forbes is expected to examine  racial economic discrimination and the loss to this country by the underestimation of minorities.

Riverside Church has a long history of advocating for the poor, the disenfranchised and for peace. Dr. King delivered his famous “Beyond Vietnam” speech at the church on April 4, 1967, a year to the day before he was murdered.

– Submitted by Harold Wolfson 

top photo: flickr: us embassy new delhi

bottom photo: Harold Wolfson

Rye Police Department

Criminal Mischief: A rock was thrown though the window of Rye Art Gallery on Boston Post Road at 6:30am. Dec.22

Criminal Mischief: Two tires were slashed overnight on Purchase Street. Dec.22

Criminal Mischief: Someone smashed the passenger side rear window at station plaza at 8:30am, northing appeared to be missing. Dec.24

Larceny: Someone stole the AC compressor unit behind 37 Oakland Beach Avenue along with copper sheatings between Friday Dec. 23^rd and Dec. 26^th.

Larceny: An unknown party hacked into someone’s AOL email account and authorized two wire transfers for two separate bank accounts in Australia. Dec.29^th

Burglary: Movers stole a watch and a wedding band on December 16^th while assembling a desk containing those items. Jan.1

Larceny from a Motor Vehicle: Someone stole a gps navigation from a vehicle on Centre Street. Jan.2

The State of New York is studying the cost efficiency of dissolving the Town of Rye, which contains the Villages of Port Chester and Rye Brook along with a portion of the Rye Neck section of the Village of Mamaroneck.

There has been much discussion in recent years about merging redundant services, such as Fire and Police Depts. in many areas of Westchester.

Come to a public forum January 12 at 7:00 pm at the Village of Mamaroneck Court Room to hear more and speak with representatives of these areas, who will discuss dissolution.

The New York Times has an interesting piece on the Platinum Mile, reporting that,

“the Platinum Mile area — which takes in nearly four miles of I-287 in White Plains, Harrison and Rye — is struggling to find a new identity in a troubled economy and reduce its vacancy rate, now at 19 percent, up from 13 percent in 2002.

Olurotimi Ishola Bajulaiye, 56, of New Rochelle, NY, passed away on December 20, 2011.

He was born on July 17, 1955 in Nigeria to Christopher and Iyabo Bajulaiye. Timi attended the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, where he was a member of the renowned Zee club and completed his medical degree. From there, he received his Masters Degree in Public Health from Yale University. Timi completed his Psychiatry Residency at the Columbia University’s Program in Harlem Hospital followed by a Fellowship training in Neuropsychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh, in Pennsylvania.

Dr. Bajulaiye was a Medical Practitioner with a distinguished career in his practice of Psychiatry and Public Health in Westchester County and the New York Metropolitan area. In recognition of his professionalism, Dr. Bajulaiye received many awards including a Certificate of Merit from Senator Nicholas Spano, the Yonkers City President’s Certificate of Appreciation, the Mayor of Yonkers Certificate of Recognition, the Office of the City Council of Yonkers, Certificate of Recognition and the New York State Assembly Certificate of Merit. He was a member of Trinity St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in New Rochelle. In his leisure time Timi enjoyed Golf, Track and singing Hymnals. Survivors include his parents, his wife Adesuwa Bajulaiye and his children Akinyemi and Temitope Bajulaiye. Visitation will be at Trinity St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Friday, January 6, 2012 from 7-10pm. The Funeral Service will be at the church on Saturday, January 7, 2012 at 10am. Interment will follow at Greenwood Union Cemetery in Rye, NY. In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Trinity St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 311 Huguenot St. New Rochelle, NY

As if heading back to work today isn’t hard enough, it is costing some Metro-North commuters more, too.

New Haven line riders who travel to or from Rye and Port Chester pay about 4% more than they did last year.  Monthly passes between Grand Central Terminal and those stations now cost $247; a one-way peak ticket costs $11; and one-way off-peak fare is $8.25.

Those fares reflect tickets bought from ticket booths or machines.  Tickets bought onboard are higher.

The increase brings Rye and Port Chester ticket prices in line with fares to other New Haven line stops in New York, which experienced a 9% increase in 2010.

Connecticut commuters are ringing in the new year with an even bigger price hike. Connecticut riders, regardless of whether they instate or not, now pay 5.3% more then in 2011.

–Photo of Rye Train Station courtesy of Jim Henderson.

Eileen C. Kelly, 91 of Rye Brook, NY passed away on December 30, 2011. Born to Joseph and Lauretta Cahill on January 31, 1920 in Mt. Vernon, NY. She married Francis A. Kelly in 1943 in Mt. Vernon. She worked in Manhattan from 1937 to 1947 before her children were born. She retired from the Mt. Vernon Bd. of Education in 1983 after more than 20 years. She and her husband were members of St. Ursula’s Church in Mt. Vernon till 1994 when they became members of Our Lady of Mercy Church in Port Chester, NY. Mrs. Kelly was predeceased by her husband of 58 years and her son Richard. She is survived by her daughter Donna Napier of Rye Brook, NY, her grandchildren Brian (Sarah) Napier of Bronxville, NY, Kevin Napier of Atlanta, GA. and Kelly (Brett) Miller of Darien, CT. She is also survived by her adored great-grandchildren Owen, Audrey and Emily Miller.

Eileen was a former long-time member of New Rochelle Shore Club. She has been a member of Coveleigh Club in Rye since 1974 to present where she enjoyed tennis and lawn bowling. Eileen was also a member of the Rye Brook Senior Citizens. She and her husband spent much of their retirement time helping the less able. The family will receive friends at the Graham Funeral Home on Monday January 2 from 2 to 5 PM and 7 to 9 PM. A mass of Christian Burial will be offered at Our Lady of Mercy Church on Tuesday at 10 AM.

Graham Funeral Home

1036 Boston Post Road

Rye, NY 10580

914-967-0129

I’m really not one for facials.  A massage, sure. But until the other day, I envisioned a facial as a forced march through a steam bath pointed straight at the nose, while someone held cucumber slices over my eyes.

Then, I had the chance to visit Euro Laser Services in Rye where they insisted I try the signature Retin-A Facial. On sale for $99, I relented.

It’s a total treat for the face and the neck, shoulders and arms, all of which get a great massage too. Says Euro Laser owner Liz DiBartolo, “Retin-A is the gold standard for aging skin. This facial gently stimulates collagen production, restores the skins youthful appearance, and gives a fabulous glow.”

She added a special lip Anti-Aging Collagen Eye and Lip Treatment, adding a wax candy-like mask on the lips and gently massaging the eye sockets. Only the skilled esthetician knew I looked like Freddie Krueger until she was done.

Not that your youthful perfect skin needs it, but believe me, you want it.

Euro Laser Services 20 Purdy Ave., Suite 1, Rye, NY 10580. 914.921.3265

Larceny from Motor Vehicle: On Trails End Road the left rear window of a car was smashed overnight and someone stole an iPod worth $300. Dec.19

Criminal Mischief: On Evergreen Avenue a car was smashed through the front right passenger side window; armrest and front seat area appeared searched, nothing was reported missing. Dec.19

Toni-Ann Strazza, a longtime resident of Mamaroneck, died on December 20, 2011. She was 49.

Toni- Ann was born on March 16, 1962 in New Rochelle to Anthony Bellizzi and the late Anastasia (Tranquillo) Bellizzi. She graduated from Iona College and was a teacher’s aide for the Blind Brook School District.

She is survived by her husband Anthony whom she married on September 27, 1987; her three children Kristin, Anthony and Jamie. She is also survived by her father Anthony and her sister Lynn.

Visiting Thursday 2-4 & 7-9pm at Lloyd Maxcy & Sons Beauchamp Chapel, 16 Shea Pl, New Rochelle. Mass Friday 10am at St. Gregory the Great Church in Harrison. Interment will follow at Beechwoods Cemetery.

Sisto & Paino Directors

Imagine hopping off Metro North in Mamaroneck and being able to eat, drink and stay for dancing without ever having to leave the station? The long-vacant old train station building (the New Haven line’s second oldest)  is slated to reopen as a new local hot spot that offers just that, soon after the New Year.

Club Car Restaurant and Lounge is the latest venture of local restaurateur Brian MacMenamin, who is also behind the Post Road Ale House in New Rochelle and the former MacMenamin’s Grill and Larchmont Avenue Oyster House.

Club Car will feature two dining rooms – the more casual tavern and main dining room. After hours, Club Car will transform into a late-night lounge, complete with music, dancing and drinks.

photo: june marie sobrito

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Tarry Market

“It’s the Lower East Side of Westchester,” said Morgan Pruitt, manager at Mario Batali’s year-old gourmet  Tarry Market. “I was surprised at the ethnicity when I came up here from the City.

Port Chester has for many years been known as a mecca for foodies, with ethnic offerings from Peru to Italy to Southern BBQ. But now, there’s an Upscale edge.

Tarry Market lies on North Main Street, at the heart of downtown Port Chester. And it may have come to the right place. “There’s a culture of serving quality food here,” Pruitt says.

Says Barbara White of Bronxville,  “I came here last November and saw their black pasta. Now I come up here just to get it.”

Just up the street, you’ll find Port Chester Beer Distributors, a warehouse stocked with a variety of imported European and Asian beers, as well as local micro brews.

And we love Kneaded Bread a few steps away (and they got here first in the wave of new businesses.)

And if you spend almost all of your money, the 3-story Salvation Army thrift store is a bargain hunter’s paradise – a favorite among students, according to manager Anthony Olivo.

“I love it,” said Zoë Browne, a sophomore at Purchase College, who says she goes there every other week. “I can always find something unique.” The best item she ever found? A “white full-body snowsuit, belted, seven dollars.”

 Reporting and photos by Ole Skaar