Scary times at Mahopac High - Halston Media

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2018VOL. 9 NO. 35

BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 37

CLASSIFIEDS 38

GOVERNMENT AT WORK 34

HEALTH & WELLNESS 24

LEGAL NOTICES 37

LEISURE 36

MAHOPAC MUSINGS 4

OPINION 10

SPORTS 30

Mahopac family creates haunted house.

pg 3

YOUR NEIGHBOR

Visit TapIntoMahopac.net for the latest news.

BY BOB DUMASEDITOR

Mahopac School Board Trustee Penny Swift shocked her colleagues and district administrators last week when she announced that she was stepping down from her post.

Swift, who was just elected to the board in May, said her resignation is e� ective immediately. School Board President Leslie Mancuso said the board would likely wait for the trustee elections in May 2019 to replace Swift, with the winner lling out the rest of her three-year term.

At the Oct. 18 board meeting, Swift called her resignation “bittersweet” and said the reason for her departure is due to an unanticipated opportunity for her family and said she must do what is in their best interest. Her family, she said, will be moving to neighboring Carmel, but she declined to specify what the opportunity is.

In her resignation letter, Swift said that as a board member she strove to put the priorities of district families rst, but now “I must do the same for my family.”

Swift served on the school board

once before, from 2001 to 2013. She said during her campaign last spring that the recent changes in adminis-tration, including the appointment of new superintendent Anthony DiCarlo, coupled with concerns from communi-ty members about transparency within the district, led her to run again.

“I was asked to join the board [again] to share my experience as a fair-mind-ed professional with extensive leader-ship experience,” she wrote in her res-ignation letter. “I am sorry with this shortened tenure that I can’t continue to provide this.”

Swift, who has lived in Mahopac for the past 22 years, said it is di� cult giv-ing up her seat on the board.

“� is happened so suddenly,” she told Mahopac News. “It’s bittersweet, but it’s best for my family. It’s hard to give up and put a hard stop to it. My heart will always be in Mahopac.”

Swift said she got more out of being a board member compared to what she put into it.

“I really appreciate the community, and I will be keeping tabs [on what goes on in the school district],” she said.

Swift resigns from school board

Trustee cites sudden opportunity for her family

Samantha Moser, and her daughter, Lexi, 8, both dressed as Pennywise the Clown from the movie “It” for the Trunk or Treat party held Saturday at the high school. � e annual ghoul fest featured a Hal-loween parade with prizes and lots of cool car trunks decorated in chilling Hal-loween themes. � e event is hosted by MSA Cheer-leading. For more pictures, check out our photo col-lage on pages 18 and 19.

Scary times at Mahopac High

PHOTO: TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL

SEE SWIFT PAGE 35

Wishing you a Safe & Happy Halloween

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PAGE 2 – MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2018

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Your NeighborYour NeighborMAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 3THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2018

BY BOB DUMASEDITOR

Dominic Cappelletti and his father, Joseph, have an a nity for all things scary, so Halloween is a very special time for them.

“My father and I have always loved Halloween,” said Dominic. “We loved haunted houses, so every Halloween we would travel around the country going to them and checking them out.”

� en they got the idea to create one of their own right here in Mahopac. Last year, they debuted their inaugural spooky e ort.

“My dad bought this 6-foot clown from a Halloween store and it sparked the idea to make [a haunted house] of our own for the neighborhood,” Dominic said. “It was last-minute planning and we kind of threw it to-gether and put it under one tent in the front yard.”

Even though the idea was con-ceived just a few days prior to Hallow-een and the Cappellettis didn’t have much time to perfect it, it seemed to have the desired e ect.

“We had a couple of kids—they weren’t little kids, they were teenag-ers—who were terri� ed and just took o sprinting down the road. � at in-spired us. We thought, if we could do that with a little, think what we could do with some planning.”

So, for this year’s haunted house, the Cappellettis put together a terrifying plan and began work on the project

several weeks ago. � ey were helped out by Dominic’s girlfriend, Sylense Wharry, and special e ect make-up artist Brian Spears, a Mahopac resi-dent who has worked on several Hol-lywood � lms, including the Net� ix show, “Daredevil.”

“Brian is making some props for us,” Dominic said. “I picked up a few of these $20 skeletons from Home Depot and gave them to him. You won’t believe what he did with them. � ey are insane. � ey look like de-composing bodies.”

� e Cappellettis have given this year’s haunted house a theme, Night-mare Circus, so there are plenty of scary clowns in store. In fact, the en-tryway is a 10-foot-tall clown’s mouth replete with eyes that light up.

“Inside there will be lots of spooky clowns,” said Dominic, who noted some inspiration was drawn from Ste-phen King’s “It” movie and its Penny-wise the Clown. “It will be a mixture of live actors and some animatronics. We purchase six animatronic clowns and some clown-related props. It should be really, really cool.”

Dominic’s dad is a carpenter by trade and Dominic is a video producer for iHeartRadio/iHeartMedia, so they both bring a little creative prow-ess to the project.

“I am a very visual person and I love to create and make cool stu ,” Domi-nic said. “My dad is a carpenter, so he is very hands-on.”

Dominic said

his fondness for the frightening and the macabre goes back to his early ex-periences with Halloween as a kid.

“I was fascinated and terri� ed by it. I was the biggest baby when I was a kid,” he said with a laugh. “But I got obsessed with it. My passion is abso-lutely horror. Someday, I would like to write my own scripts, but right now, I just don’t have the time, so I like to do this. It helps keep my blood � owing. When I tell people what I’m into, they look at me like I’m a maniac.”

Last year’s haunted house attracted a lot more than they expected—about 40 people.

“Pretty good for a small neighbor-hood,” Dominic said. “So, we would like to make this a tradition and do it every year.”

Joseph Cappelletti lives in Ma-hopac but Dominic resides in Queens. Still, he regularly makes the trek north to work on the haunted house.

“It’s a lot of work for just one night,” he said. “But the whole buildup and planning is just so much fun. It doesn’t seem like work.”

� e Nightmare Circus Haunted House will be open on Halloween night from 6-11 p.m. but if more people show up, the Cappellettis will be happy to keep it open. You will � nd Nightmare Circus at Mahopac Point at 24 Sycamore Drive at the top of the hill, right in the Cappelletti’s front yard.

Enter if you dare!

The haunting of Mahopac PointFather/son team create haunted house for Halloween scares

Dominic Cappelletti’s girlfriend, Sylense Wharry, will be part of the production.

Joseph Cappelletti with the 10-foot-tall clown’s mouth he created that will serve as the haunted house entrance.

Dominic and Joseph work together on the haunted house.PHOTOS COURTESY OF DOMINIC CAPPELLETI

The Cappellettis’ haunted house features a blend of live actors and some animatronic clowns.

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The StaffEDITORIAL TEAM

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GABRIELLE BILIK

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Mahopac NewsMahopac News

MAHOPAC MUSINGSHarvestfest

� e Carmel Recreation & Parks Department will hold its annual Harvestfest at Sycamore Park on Sunday, Oct.28, noon to 3 p.m. It will feature a haunted house, pony rides, petting zoo, Trick-or-Treat Parade, games, bounce houses, vendors and more! Harvestfest includes activities for all ages – bring the family for a fun-� lled day and remember to wear your Halloween costume. For more in-formation, call the Park O� ce at 845-628-7888.

Mahopac Library Events

Proposal WritingFriday, Oct. 26, 1 p.m. Intro-

duction to Proposal Writing - � is class will provide you with an overview of how to write a standard project proposal to a foundation. � is is a great class for people involved in nonpro� t work who want to learn the ba-sics of writing grant proposals.

For more information, or to reg-ister, visit www.mahopaclibrary.org, or call 845-628-2009, ext. 100.

After Hours Nerf BattleFriday, Oct. 26, 6:45 p.m. Af-

ter Hours Nerf Battle for Teens. Out� t yourself with a Nerf gun and then enjoy a game of mon-sters vs. humans. Extra ammo and snacks provided. “Elite” dart-style Nerf guns only, please. All teens must be at the library at 6:45 p.m. and have eye pro-tection; the game will start at 7 p.m. Signed permission form re-quired; � nd the link to the form when you register online at www.mahopaclibrary.org.

Create Paper BeadsMonday, Oct. 29, 7:30 p.m.

Come and learn how to make paper beads, and make a piece of jewelry (for adults). Registration required; register online at www.mahopaclibrary.org, or call 845-628-2009, ext. 100.

Monster Month Film Screening

Monday, Oct. 29, 7 p.m. “Fran-

kenstein” featuring Boris Karlo£ . Victor Frankenstein discovers the secret of creating life and fashions an 8-foot monster, only to bring danger and destruction to the lives of those he loves after the creature is rejected by society. Popcorn provided; drop-in pro-gram, no registration need. For information visit www.mahopa-clibrary.org, or call 845-628-2009, ext. 100.

Mad ScienceTuesday, Oct.30, 5 p.m. Cel-

ebrate Halloween with Mad Sci-ence (for children in grades 1-5). Wear your Halloween costume and join us for some mystifying and scienti� c fun with � re and ice! Learn about the amazing properties of � re and combustion. � en, cool o£ with spectacular demonstrations involving dry ice! Check out the “Big Burp,” the “Screwdriver Sizzle” and the fa-mous “Mad Science Bath.” Reg-istration is required; register on-line at www.mahopaclibrary.org, or call 845-628-2009, ext. 100.

Monster Month Film

ScreeningTuesday, Oct.30, 7 p.m. “Drac-

ula” featuring Bela Lugosi. Pop-corn provided; drop-in program, no registration need. For infor-mation visit www.mahopacli-brary.org, or call 845-628-2009, ext. 100.

Candidates ForumTemple Beth Shalom’s Men’s

Club will hold a breakfast can-didate forum on Sunday, Oct. 28, at 9:30 a.m. at the temple, 760 Route 6, Mahopac. Call Joel Greenberg at 845-628-6613 for more info and to RSVP.

Javier Colon in Concert

Winner of “� e Voice,” Javier Colon, will perform at Mahopac High School, 421 Baldwin Place, Tuesday, Oct 30, 7 p.m. � e show is free and open to the public. For more info, [email protected].

SPCA Dinner Fundraiser

� e eighth annual Putnam County SPAC dinner will be held Friday, Oct. 26, 7-11 p.m., at the Putnam County Golf Course, 187 Hill Blvd. Mahopac. $60 prepaid tickets includes crudite table, buf-fet table, entertainment, music, ra¬ es and more. Online payment: https://spcaputnam.org/2018-dinner/ Snail Mail payment: Put-nam County SPCA, P.O. Box 850, Brewster, NY 10509. Your support is needed to help prevent animal cruelty in our community.

Avon Faire ConcertAvon Faire will perform at the

Lake Mahopac United Method-ist Church, 85 Mt. Hope Road, on Saturday, Oct. 27, at 2:30 p.m. for a special afternoon show. Ad-mission is $ for kids $5, and $10 for adults. Avon Faire plays Celtic and traditional English traditional music, as well as Renaissance/Me-dieval music, and folk pop. � ey completed their third tour of Eng-land this summer, and a short East Cost tour in September. � ey plan to record their second full-length album this winter.

The Alchemy of Italy� e Italian American Club of

Mahopac, in cooperation with Mahopac Public Library, pres-ents � e Alchemy of Italy, a talk by Carla Gambescia, author of “La Dolce Vita University: An Unconventional Guide to Italian Culture from A-Z,” on Saturday, Nov. 3, 1 p.m., at the library, 668 Route 6. Admission is free and all are invited. Light refreshments served.

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MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 5THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2018


BY BOB DUMASEDITOR

Elected Carmel town o� cials will re-ceive a 4 percent raise when the 2019 bud-get is adopted next month.

Supervisor Ken Schmitt presented the tentative budget at the board’s Oct. 3 meeting—a $29.8 million spending pack-age that called for a 1.6 percent hike in the tax rate and stays under the 2 percent state-imposed tax levy cap.

At the board’s Oct. 17 meeting, the board voted to move the tentative budget to pre-liminary budget status. Town Comptroller Mary Ann Maxwell said the only change was the addition of the salary adjustments.

� e town supervisor, Town Board mem-bers, town clerk, and highway superinten-dent all received 4 percent bumps in their compensations. � e supervisor’s annual salary is now $124,800; board members will receive $21,000; the town clerk earns $95,160, and the highway superintendent gets $128,960.

Maxwell said the raises will not impact the budget’s bottom line. � e tax increase still remains at 1.6 percent and the levy cap is still maintained.

“� ere is no impact because I set aside a certain dollar amount [anticipating] the salary adjustments,” Maxwell said.

Maxwell said that by the time the bud-

get is adopted next month, there will likely be other department heads and town em-ployees who receive raises.

“� e board is still discussing salary ad-justments,” she said.

Maxwell said at the Oct. 3 meeting that the tentative budget remained under the tax cap by $25,907, adding that with the 1.6 percent increase in the tax rate, the average homeowner (assessed at $347,000) would pay approximately $1,738 per year in mu-nicipal taxes, a $27 increase from the prior year. � is assessed valuation re� ects the cur-rent equalization rate of 100 percent.

Of the $29.8 million in expenditures, Maxwell noted, $21.1 million is budgeted in 2019 for bene� ts and employee com-pensation costs (salaries, overtime, pen-sions, healthcare, workers’ comp, FICA/Medicare/MTA tax, etc.)—70.8 percent

of the total budget.During the budget presentation,

Schmitt laid out several new initiatives for next year. � ey include:

• A full-time special patrol o� cer to provide a greater level of security at the Town Hall during normal business hours. � e position will be � lled by a retired po-lice o� cer at an annual salary of $30.000. “� e world has changed, and we live in a volatile society,” Schmitt said. “We’ve put this o¦ , but the time has come.”

• Two variable message boards that will be used to communicate with the public during emergencies and town-wide events. “We currently don’t own one and I think it’s smart to buy our own,” Schmitt said. “� ey are solar-powered and used during emergencies like power outages. We need to go to the next level.”

• Funding to facilitate upgrades and improvements in the Town Hall’s record-ing studio. (� e current equipment was installed 13 years ago.) “We have been having some issues [with the television broadcast of town meetings],” Schmitt said. “� e video is not very clear, and we’ve had some audio issues.”

• Purchase and install a new air condi-tioning unit for the main meeting room in the Town Hall. � e current unit has been in service since 1975. “It doesn’t make sense to keep putting money into it,” Schmitt said. “We are being proactive.”

• One full-time position in the High-way Department, which will bring the sta¦ to 34 workers. � e highway sta¦ was reduced by four full-time workers during the economic downturn. � e new position will replace a position that was cut from previous budgets. “� e town has grown and there are more roads,” Schmitt noted.

• Funding for a professional consulting � rm to assist the town in providing profes-sional and technical guidance as the town begins to develop a new master plan and revise the town code. � e budget includes $100,000 for this project. “� e current master plan is 22 years old and we really need to update it,” he said.

A public hearing on the preliminary budget is slated for Nov. 7. � e � nal budget must be voted on and adopted by Nov. 20.

Preliminary budget contains pay raises for elected offi cialsSupervisor, highway super, town clerk, council get 4% bumps

PHOTO: BOB DUMASThe Town Board discusses the 2019 proposed budget,

which calls for a 4 percent pay raise for elected offi cials.

H COMBAT the heroin and opioid crisis facing our communities, by investing in education, prevention and treatment programs and cracking down on drug dealers.

H CUT state income tax rates and cap property taxes to make the Hudson Valley more affordable for our seniors and families.

H PASS the Women’s Equality Act to require equal pay for women and protect victims of human trafficking, domestic abuse and workplace discrimination.

H PROTECT the environment by reclassifying local rivers and lakes as inland waterways to improve water quality and preserve open space.

H AUTHORIZE the tough new laws used by prosecutors to put corrupt politicians behind bars and strip them of their taxpayer funded pensions.

Terrence Murphy has a strong record of fighting for Hudson Valley families.As our State Senator, Terrence has brought Democrats and Republicans together to:

On November 6th, VOTE to Re-ELECT Terrence Murphy as our State Senator.

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BY BOB DUMASEDITOR

� e school district is on course with plans to undertake several tax-neutral capital-improvement projects next year; however, the scope and cost of those projects

is still undetermined, according to school o� cials who addressed the matter at the Oct. 18 Board of Education meeting.

� e district is looking to under-take some capital projects due to a quirk in a state formula that could impact the district’s tax rate if it

doesn’t maintain its debt service.� e district will see $2.8 million

in debt come o� the books in 2018 and more in the next few years, so school o� cials are looking for projects to replace that debt.

Harvey Sotland, the district’s as-sistant superintendent for business a� airs, said that a complex formula used by the state’s Department of Education makes that possible.

“We identify what we can levy onto the local taxpayer, which is based on a formula from the state Department of Education. In that formula, there is a variable that speaks toward debt service. It im-pacts how much the tax levy (the total amount the district collects in taxes) can be,” he told Mahopac News back in August. “� e tax cap is not a true 2 percent cap; it’s based on this formula. One of those variables [in the formula] is the debt service. If you have a huge drop-o� in debt service, like we are having next year, it’s going to ma-terially impact your tax cap where you could actually have a situation where you don’t have the ability to increase the tax levy over the previ-ous year. � at’s not a good thing.”

Sotland said it’s important to

maintain an even debt service each year with no ups or downs.

� e district had a building-con-ditions study done in 2015 and it will use that as a planning tool as it picks the projects it will undertake.

“[� e study] gives you a ‘state of the facilities’—what needs to be done right away; what has an expected life of three years, � ve years,” Sotland explained. “� is is a planning tool for us. It’s an ideal situation we are in because not only do we need to remedy this situation [of declining debt ser-vice], but we can remedy it with [solutions to] some true needs.”

Over the past few months, ad-ministrators have been meeting with school principals and build-ing and grounds personnel and other stakeholders to go over the building-conditions study and pri-oritize potential projects.

“� e PTOs were charged by me in September to go back to their respective buildings and [look around and then] talk to me about areas that they would like to see put up as part of our capital project,” said Superintendent An-thony DiCarlo at last week’s board meeting. “So, we are in the process

of doing that. I have set up meet-ings to go into their buildings and speak with the parents. I will meet at the high school on Nov. 14 and meet here (Falls School) on Nov. 28 with the SEPTO parents.

“I really encourage the parents to come out, so we can get their ideas on some of the areas of scope that they would like to see in the project,” he said. “I am also meet-ing with the high school students the last week in October, as well as the middle school students—[we’ll be] meeting with the clubs and advisors.”

DiCarlo and Sotland said the key to the success of these capital projects is the hiring of a construc-tion manager.

“� at’s so important,” he said. “You want to make sure the work is being done [in a timely manner] and at the right price. If something doesn’t go the right way, [the con-struction manager] is right there on it, not ex-post facto.”

Board Trustee Dave Furfaro re-ported that the district has hired the Palumbo Group for the job, a


School’s tax-neutral capital-projects plan on scheduleScope of the work still to be determined

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OpinionOpinionPAGE 10 – MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2018

In his farewell address upon retiring as president of the United States, George Washington cautioned Americans of the political dangers they must avoid if they are to remain true to their values. Considered a classic state-ment of republicanism, Washington warned of the threat from a two-party system gone awry and the emergence of a disrepu-table despot.

“�e domination of one faction over another,” said Washington, “sharpened by the spirit of revenge—natural to party dissension—is itself a frightful despotism, leading to a more formal and permanent despotism. �e disorders and miseries, which result, gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of Public Liberty.”

“Agitating the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms,” Washington continued, “it kindles the animosity of one part against another, fomenting occasionally riot and insur-rection. It opens the door to foreign in�uence and corruption, which �nd a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passions. �us, the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another.”

Republicans made a deal with the devil when they buttressed Donald Trump’s run for the presidency, and they’ve doubled down on that deal ever since. Having long prided itself on being a responsible center-right party that favored limited government, �scal conservatism, and public integrity, the Republican Party, under Trump, has morphed into a full-�edged enabler for an out-of-control executive branch driven by power, money and racism.

From top to bottom, Republicans in o�ce are enthralled by Trump and resist

any deviation from what they consider his enormous power to in�uence. No matter that his moral and ethical posi-

tions, most often, are repugnant.

�ere is only one way to put a stop to the forfeiture of Ameri-can values, and that is to vote against every Republican Party candi-date in every race and at every level.

In this neck of the woods, which happens to be heavily Republican, we have an abundance of dyed-in-the-wool Trumpers running for o�ce. �ere is MaryEllen Odell, running for reelection as Putnam County executive; Terrence Murphy, running for reelection to the state Senate; Kevin Byrne running for reelection to the state Assembly; Joe Castellano, running for reelection to the county legislature; and Joseph O’Donnell running for Congress. You’ve heard nothing from them questioning anything Trump has said or done, no matter how crazy, vindictive or incendiary.

Every elected o�ce that Republicans hold on to is a signal to party o�cials that they should continue supporting Trump, no matter how outrageous or unprincipled his actions. Every vote for any GOP candidate this November is a signal from the rank and �le that Republican leaders should remain pros-trate while Trump sledgehammers the American political system.

A vote for any Republican is a vote for tax cuts without corresponding budget cuts; for the slashing of health insurance subsidies; and for the roll back of rules regulating clean air and water standards and environmental protections.

A vote for any Republican assures that Trump and his cronies will continue to eviscerate consumer protections and �nancial regulations and challenge the right to vote of selective Americans.

A vote for any Republican will not make our schools safer as the secre-tary of education rescinds guidelines

Every vote for a Republican is a vote for Trump

BERNIE KOSBERG

HERE AND NOW! MARA

SCHIFFREN

LIFE,HEALTH,POLITICS

SEE KOSBERG PAGE 17

Does anyone know what the Demo-crats stand for this year? What is their unifying message? �at is, besides op-posing Trump at any cost? Usually, the message of each side is crystal clear by now. �ey’ve been droning on for months and you can’t wait for the elec-tion to be over simply to get relief from all the ads!

But this year is di�er-ent. With the exception of some hot districts where the outcome is still in dispute, the main political war is being fought on national TV against Trump.

Trump certainly knows how to suck up all the political oxygen in the room, a notable skill for a politician. By this personal alchemy, Trump keeps all eyes on him. He really is a master at manipu-lating attention, an exemplar of the rule that all publicity is good publicity. He provokes journalists into covering him furiously. And thereby, provides a ratings juggernaut for the media. Some of this is strategy on his part. And some his well-honed instincts. �e end result, though, is that journalists collude at keeping Trump in the spotlight by playing out their emotional crises before the public, whether on camera or on twitter. In the process, they often do not come across as measured. Nor can they see how o�-putting this is to much of the general public.

Despite this, Jonathan Karl of ABC News announced last week, after an impromptu press conference by Presi-dent Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell: “I have probably had more opportunities to ask questions of President Trump over the past two weeks than I had of President Obama during the last two years of his presi-dency.”

Is that the same media that we keep hearing that President Trump is trying to destroy?

Oddly enough, running against Trump full stop is not turning out to be the brilliant strategy Chuck Schumer must have thought it was. At this point in the campaign, one after another, it’s the Democrat candidates who are

�oundering. First, there was the extraordinarily

o�putting spectacle of Dianne Feinstein holding back the Christine Blasey Ford

letter for six weeks and only releasing information about it to the FBI after the Kavanaugh hearings were done. �e frenzy that resulted seems to have done harm primarily to Demo-crats. And this seems

to have changed the momentum of the season. Not exactly the e�ect that the Democrats had planned!

But Feinstein was just the beginning. During that imbroglio, a video went

viral of Maxine Waters encouraging her followers to form a mob of like-minded people to harass members of the Trump cabinet wherever they are in public.

“Push back on them. And you tell them they are not welcome anymore, anywhere.”

�is approach was not exactly popular with large swathes of the country who simply want a functional government to make things in the country better. Not start a civil war. Keep in mind, if the Democrats take the House, Maxine Waters will be the next chair of the Financial Services Committee!

�en came the spectacle of Elizabeth Warren. �e senator has been much ridiculed for her public claim of Na-tive American heritage. And why not? It’s clear that she presented her claim to Harvard Law School so she would qualify as a diversity candidate and add more incentive to her hire. Most people can see plain abuse there. Last week, she re-entered the public lists crow-ing victory that she did, indeed, possess native American Indian DNA. First the media came out swinging with headlines announcing her victory. But this worked only temporarily until the facts of her DNA test became knowledge. Mere citizens did the math that the media had failed to do correctly and showed the absurdity of her claim. It showed only that Warren had an ancestor six to10 generations back with DNA from South

Keystone candidates

SEE SCHIFFREN PAGE 14

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OPINION MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 11THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2018

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Lowest County Share of Property Tax Bill in New York State

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On November 6, 2018

VOTEMaryEllen Odell for PUTNAM COUNTY EXECUTIVE

I’m proud of the work my administration has done to run a fiscally responsible government, all while growing our economy, protecting our seniors, and

honoring our veterans. But we still have more work to do and I ask for your vote on November 6th......

– MARYELLEN ODELL

Maureen FLEMING MaryEllen ODELL

PAID FOR BY THE COMMITTEE TO ELECT MARYELLEN ODELL

✖ Highest Taxed Town in Putnam County✖ Lied about 0% Tax Increase by Not Including

Special Districts and Relied on $614,000 from the County to Balance Kent’s Budget

✖ Refused to Hire a New Assessor, Causing a Revaluation and Increased Taxes for the Town of Kent

✖ Cost Taxpayers over $400,000 in a Frivolous Lawsuit Over the Sewer District

✖ Cut the Highway Department’s Budget Reducing Local Road Re-Paving

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LETTERS

Former supervisor disputes Fleming’s

claimsTo the editor,

County executive candidate Maureen Fleming has said that she inherited the mismanage-ment and overspending of the prior administration in the town of Kent. � ere is no basis for that. In fact, her kick-the-can-down-the-road mentality will cost the Kent taxpayers more down the road.

When I was town supervisor, the independent auditors told us that we were in excellent � nan-cial condition. Each year, my ad-ministration brought down taxes from the administrations before me. I also brought in $8 million of projects and completed the projects. Maureen has done none of that. She may tout that she is cutting costs, but she is bene� ting from the things my administra-tion put in place.

My administration was the � rst to have new employees con-tribute to their health bene� ts. We audited each department to do away with waste and give them the proper tools to do their jobs e� ectively. It was my ad-

ministration that investigated all worker’s compensation and held people accountable for fraud. We also met all our � nancial and le-gal commitments. Maureen has done none of that.

Maureen has neglected the MS4 responsibilities of the town, which it is required as part of the East of Hudson Watershed—leaving the town vulnerable to penalties and � nes.

Maureen forced the town into a frivolous lawsuit that the town lost twice over the sewer district. Her pettiness is costing the tax-payers almost $400,000 and there is more to come.

Maureen’s refusal to � ll key personnel positions, such as the assessor, caused Kent to go under 100 percent market value. By do-ing so, we had to undergo a re-valuation and our taxes went up because of Maureen’s negligence.

Maureen drags out paying contractors for work and then tries to pay them pennies on the dollar owed, causing local com-panies to not do business with the town.

Maureen has had to close Lake Carmel during the summer for four years in a row. When I was supervisor, we maintained our lakes and they stayed open. � e

chemicals Maureen is putting in the lake are not working, and they are costing the park district residents a lot of money with nothing to show for it.

Carmel Dam only seems to be an issue for Maureen during election season. It is going to cost millions to repair. When I was supervisor, I was in the middle of getting a grant that she never followed up on and now we get nothing.

Where was Maureen during the tornado and its aftermath? When horri� c storms hit Kent during my administration, I � led for FEMA assistance. Maureen has done none of that.

It was my administration that brought in $80,000 of income to the town because of our cell town master plan that Maureen uses to bring down the tax levy. She didn’t come up with the idea, she merely reaped its bene� ts.

Maureen has done zero!Putnam County deserves bet-

ter than Maureen Fleming. Vote MaryEllen Odell for Putnam County executive.

Kathy DohertyFormer Kent Town Supervisor

SEE LETTERS PAGE 12

OPINIONPAGE 12 – MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2018

Voter no longer trusts Odell

To the editor,Last week I lost all trust in

MaryEllen Odell and so should you.

My mother used to say: “If you mess up but you fess up, you will keep my trust. On the other hand, if you mess up and you lie or hide the truth, you lose my trust. You don’t want to lose my trust because once you lose it, there’s no getting it back.”

I hold those words dear when I vote. I don’t vote along party lines. I will even vote for a candi-date with whom I disagree. I look for one thing above all else when I pick a candidate: trustworthi-ness and integrity.

Last week’s revelations of Ms. Odell’s actions over the last few years show the Odell administra-tion to be completely untrust-worthy. Last week, the Fleming campaign released county nan-cial information regarding the Butter eld project. � e numbers showed a level of governing in-eptitude and scal irresponsibil-ity by Ms. Odell’s administration that should shock the conscience.

At least as shocking as Ms. Odell’s scal mismanagement is

her administration’s sneaky at-tempts to hide the numbers. � is includes the Odell administra-tion’s initial refusal to hand over a single nancial document un-til December (notably after the election). To quote my daughter: “Are you people for real?”

I am thankful to the Fleming campaign for persisting and get-ting at least some documents out into the open before the election. � ere is no escaping the numbers on these documents. Butter eld is going to be a nancial disaster for Putnam County. But rather than admit the hard truth, Odell’s response is to accuse Fleming of being anti-senior citizen. To quote my daughter again: “Are you for real?”

What other nancial arrange-ments is the Odell administra-tion hiding? A nal quote from my mother: “If I catch you in a lie, I assume you’ve lied before.” Based on my own experience as a nancial fraud investigator, I can tell you that the bizarre responses from the Odell administration to last week’s revelations bear the behavioral markers of a person who has been hiding some serious nancial shenanigans for a long time. Regardless what I think, the bottom line is the numbers that were revealed last week. If Put-nam County were a company on the stock exchange, there would

be enough here to warrant an in-vestigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

We are lucky that as a county we have the lowest poverty rate in New York State. � at is why Put-nam County’s budget and credit rating are in good shape. It would be di� cult to mess that up even with the level of scal misman-agement that is now coming to light. Let’s not confuse luck with good government.

My sense of Maureen Flem-ing, on the other hand, is that she is analytical, a real numbers per-son and a good problem solver. I have heard no one ever impugn her character. I have every reason to trust Maureen Fleming based on her record as Kent town su-pervisor and I will enthusiastical-ly vote her in as Putnam County executive. I can’t say the same for MaryEllen Odell anymore.

� is particular election is not about party loyalty. It is about whom we should trust with our tax dollars. In this case it’s not the Republican candidate.

Diana HirdPhilipstown

Stop blocking Odell campaign signs

To the editor,I am a longtime Kent resident

and I am outraged by county executive candidate Maureen Fleming’s recent behavior. I put two signs supporting MaryEllen Odell for county executive on my personal property on Route 52 at Nelson Court. Without my permission, Maureen put two of her own campaign signs on each side of MaryEllen’s and blocked it from view. It is very upsetting. It shows disrespect to a Kent resi-dent and shows the kind of cam-paign Maureen is running.

Please stop blocking my Mary-Ellen Odell signs. MaryEllen has my vote for county executive.

Jim CareyKent

Fleming is right choice for Putnam

To the editor,What Putnam County needs

now, more than ever, is change—change from the current Odell administration that supports patronage and nepotism hiring; change to a Fleming adminis-tration that will hire only quali- ed individuals; change from the current Odell administration that supports wasteful spend-ing, increased taxation (2 percent each year in the past ve years); change to a Fleming administra-tion who, in her current position

as supervisor of the town of Kent, has passed a budget for the past ve years with 0 percent increase in taxes; change from an Odell administration’s smoke-and-mir-rors budget to a Fleming budget of transparency, elimination of wasteful spending and reduction in taxes.

� e time for change is now! Maureen Fleming is an hon-est, hardworking, experienced administrator who cares about her community. She believes in working with others, even if they have a di� erence of opin-ion, for the betterment of all Putnam County residents. We need change in Putnam from a one-party rule county to a county where everyone is included. Resi-dents of Putnam should not have to worry about reprisal because they do not belong to the politi-cal party of the current adminis-tration.

Change will only come about if you want to make it happen. � at day of change is Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6. If you’re tired of being stepped on by this current administration, it’s time you step out and cast your ballot for Mau-reen Fleming for Putnam Coun-ty executive, a true scal leader.

Robert FergusonMahopac

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Odell is no bullyTo the editor,

I am writing this letter in response to recent comments made by Maureen Fleming about working for MaryEllen Odell.

Prior to working for Ms. Odell, I was very involved in community service. During that time, I worked alongside and with MaryEllen Odell on vari-ous fundraising e� orts and proj-ects. She had an opportunity to see my work in action. When a position opened up in the county where Ms. Odell needed someone she could depend on, not as a vote, but as a good em-ployee, she o� ered me a job. I do not always support Ms. Odell’s political views. Ms. Odell knew this. However, she saw past that and saw a good and honest em-ployee and someone who could be trusted to protect the taxpay-

ers of Putnam County.I have worked for Ms. Odell

for a number of years and have never found her to use scare tactics to keep her employees in line. I have never found her to be a bully or to use intimidating tactics. Instead, I � nd her to be a strong leader and an excellent role model for women and girls.

I was disheartened to read that Ms. Fleming called her a bully. We, as women, must build each other up. Ms. Fleming would have better served her-self to stick to the facts that she was campaigning on and not go down into the dirt.

In conclusion, my assessment of MaryEllen Odell is that she is a good and decent person to work for. During bad weather, she is always deeply concerned about the safety of her employ-ees. She understands the impor-tance of family values and listens and responds to her employees’ needs. She is always quick to be complimentary of a job well done. I don’t see why I, as a voter,

would � re her. She’s done a ter-ri� c job and deserves to serve another term.

Ellen SorrentoCarmel

Del Campo’s criticism off base

To the editor,I feel an obligation to respond

to the letter written by Frank Del Campo in the Oct. 18 issue, disparaging the writing of Of Human Interest columnist Lo-renzo Garo because of what Del Campo viewed as comments that were too negative regarding the current occupant of the White House.

Mr. Del Campo cited his own work as town councilman, super-visor and deputy to the county executive that he characterized as avoiding dividing or derid-ing his opponents and fostering cooperation among all groups without regard to political a� li-ation. I must confess to not being

familiar with Mr. Del Campo’s initiatives while in public o� ce. However, as a dedicated attendee at many of the town’s Memo-rial Day ceremonies, I recalled being morti� ed and angered at his comments year after year in which he castigated the “youth of today” who, in his opinion, appar-ently did not demonstrate the pa-triotism of past generations. � is was during the height of the Gulf Wars post 9/11. After one such ceremony, I approached Mr.Del Campo and asked, “Who do you think is � ghting and dying in Af-ghanistan and Iraq today, if not the current generation!?”

Just as Del Campo was blind to this � aw in his yearly speech, he is now blind to the reality of today’s world. Many people of both parties are embarrassed by Trump’s admiration and even “love” of murderous dictators, as he creates unease and trade dis-putes with our staunchest allies. His constant use of Twitter to insult people makes most middle schoolers seem like mature adults.

Mr. Garo has rarely made politi-cal comments but when he has it has been well within the bounds of his human interest stories, not as part of any political reporting.

Mr. Del Campo should review a copy of our nation’s Constitu-tion to recall that free speech and rational critique of a leader’s ir-rational behavior is still allowed. Perhaps it is Mr. Del Campo who should re� ect on his own parti-san bias. In the meantime, please keep Mr. Garo’s stories coming!

Michael Caruso

Mahopac

Praise for new tobacco law

To the editor,� e decision last week by Put-

nam County legislators to raise the age to purchase tobacco products is a remarkable move to improve the well-being of young people throughout the county.

Today, 28.8 percent of high school students in New York State use tobacco products, and tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in our nation. Close to 95 percent of smokers try their

LETTERSFROM PAGE 12

American sources, not North American Native American sources. Her action caused Chuck Hoskin, Jr., the Cherokee Nation’s secretary of state, to come out with a blistering letter, decisively rejecting her claim to Cherokee heritage.

Right away the momentum of the story reversed. And Warren looked awfully foolish again.

In the same week, a federal Judge threw out Stormy Daniels’ case against Trump and ordered her to pay Trump’s legal fees. � is wouldn’t have mattered much except the Democrats had taken to treating her like a hero-ine who would save the country from Trump.

� en all of a sudden there were videos of Arizona Senate candidate, Democrat Krysten Sinema, badmouthing the state she is running to represent in public venue after venue.

It’s like watching keystone candidates, toppling, one after another.

How lucky can Trump get?

Mara Schi� ren is a writer and certi� ed functional medicine health coach and Clear Beliefs coach.You can reach her at mara.schi� [email protected].

SCHIFFREN FROM PAGE 10

SEE LETTERS PAGE 16



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� rst cigarette before the age of 21, and Tobacco 21 laws have been a powerful tool in reducing youth smoking rates. In fact, the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) found increasing the minimum age of sale for all tobacco products to 21 could prevent 223,000 deaths among people born between 2000 and 2019, including 50,000 fewer dying from lung cancer—the na-tion’s leading cancer killer.

It is incredible that Putnam has joined the likes of Ulster, Westchester and Nassau coun-ties, which all passed similar leg-islation. We must work toward saving the precious lives of young people in New York State. A job well done for Putnam County!

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Hudson Valley

Stop GOP’s voter suppression

To the editor,In 2012, Heidi Heitkamp, a

Democrat, won a U.S. Senate seat in North Dakota, a very red state. Her victory was attributed to the large turnout of Native Ameri-cans who always vote and vote Democratic.

After this election the GOP-run statehouse began chipping away at Native American voting rights. Claiming they were elimi-nating yet-to-be proven voter fraud, they passed laws requiring new forms of identi� cation in or-

der to be eligible to vote. Among the new requirements is that the voter must have a street address and can no longer use a post o� ce box. Most Native Americans in North Dakota live on reservations with no street addresses only post o� ce boxes. Having to now get new forms of identi� cation will disenfranchise these voters. Geor-gia, Arizona, Ohio, Kansas and Texas are all being sued for various forms of voter suppression—mak-ing it harder for eligible citizens, especially minorities, to vote.

League and school sports are a big part of our communities. We tell our children that while it is fun to win, for that win to be fully celebrated the game must have been played fairly. I wonder if the Republican Party shares our values.

Elaine JacobsMahopac

Love Holds Life gives thanks

To the editor,Today marks three weeks since

my friend passed away from Stage 4 ovarian cancer. I want to personally thank those of you who were involved, donated your money and time to help me help Maggie Karaqi and her two chil-dren during her � ght with cancer.

With your help we gave more than $11,000 to Maggie and, even more importantly, provided her the hope and strength she needed to get through her days. May you all keep her kids in your thoughts and prayers. And a very special thanks goes to Bob Du-

mas of Mahopac News and all the ladies at � e Greater Mahopac-Carmel Chamber of Commerce, Sparrow’s Nest, Cross Roads Deli, Community Cares and my pal, Anthony De� no.

Richard J. Cyr-SenatoFounder, Love Holds Life

Byrne is true public servant

To the editor,When voters choose an elected

o� cial, they expect that person to be an active and engaged public servant in the community the of-� cial represents. As he � nishes his � rst term in o� ce, I can say with con� dence that state As-semblyman Kevin Byrne is that kind of public servant.

Kevin Byrne has been available and responsive to his constitu-ents and understands the issues we care about. Last winter, our community was hit by exorbi-tant utility rate hikes and winter storms that left us without power for an extended period of time. Kevin was there to listen to his constituents and hold the utility company CEOs accountable. He introduced legislation (A10782) that would increase transpar-ency in utility supply and delivery rates and co-sponsored legisla-tion (A10140) that would estab-lish standards and guidelines for preparation and restorations for emergencies and power outages.

Furthermore, Kevin has been a great advocate and supporter of our local libraries. Public libraries

LETTERSFROM PAGE 14

Contact UsMahopac News is located at Bailey Court, 334 Route 202, Unit C1S, Somers, NY 10589. You can contact us at 845-208-0774 or email [email protected].

SEE LETTERS PAGE 17

OPINION MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 17THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2018

on campus sexual assaults and rewards teachers for coming to school armed.

A vote for any Republican is a vote for dramatically increasing the national debt, and for the continued proliferation of illegal guns.

A vote for any Republican will serve to embolden Trump, increasing the likelihood that he will � re special counsel Robert Mueller after Election Day and continue to ignore Russian cor-ruption of our elections.

A vote for any Republican is a vote against a woman’s right-to-choose and equal pay for equal work and is a vote to support a president who continually embar-rasses us in the eyes of our children.

A vote for any Republican is a vote for a president who cow-ers to dictators—Putin and the Crown Prince of Saudi Ara-bia—and starts trade wars with longtime allies.

Yes, every vote for a Republi-can this year is a vote for Trump.

KOSBERGFROM PAGE 10

serve our entire community and o� er a wide range of services for all residents. Assemblyman Byrne fought to prevent a $4 million cut to library aid in the state budget and has secured additional fund-ing for local libraries, including Mahopac Public Library, through the state’s bullet aid program.

As a former town supervisor, deputy county executive and cur-rent member of Mahopac Pub-lic Library Board of Trustees, I know the di� erence between politicians who just want your vote, and public servants who care about their community and the people who live in it. Please join me in voting for Kevin Byrne on Nov. 6.

Frank Del CampoMahopac

LETTERSFROM PAGE 16

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MSA Cheerleading hosted its fourth annual Trunk or Treat at the high school parking lot on Saturday, Oct. 20. � e spook-tacular event featured car trunks that were decorated in creepy Halloween themes and � lled with holiday treats for which the kids—dressed in their scariest, and cutest, costumes—could go trick-or-treating. � e event also featured a food truck, DJ and face painting and culminated with a Halloween parade.

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BY BOB DUMASEDITOR

� e Mahopac School District marked School Board Recognition Week (Oct. 22-26) at its Oct. 18 meeting by honoring board trustees with a reception and presenting each of them with a certi cate of recognition.

� e New York State School Boards Associ-ation said the week is used to promote aware-ness and understanding of the important work performed by school board members. Joining all public-school districts across the state in celebrating the event, Mahopac honored local board members for their commitment to Ma-hopac and Mahopac’s children.

“It takes strong schools to build a strong community,” said Superintendent Anthony DiCarlo. “[Board members] devote countless hours making our schools what they are each and every day and having every child be able to learn in a high-quality atmosphere. � ey make tough decisions every month, every day, and spend many hours studying educational issues and regulations in order to pro-vide the time and accountability our community expects.”

DiCarlo thanked the trustees for “creating a shared vision for the future education of our students in Ma-hopac,” and setting the direction to achieve the highest student performance while providing accountability for

student achievement. He praised the board for develop-ing budgets that align with district resources and provide a high-quality education while supporting the health of the school district.

“On behalf of myself, District Clerk [Melody] LaRoc-ca, parents and teachers, we thank you for what you do each and every day,” he said.

Tom McMahon, president of the Mahopac Teachers Association, said he was there to speak not just on behalf

of the union but as a resident of the dis-trict with three children in the schools.

“I am here to recognize the members of the Mahopac Board of Education. I have stood at this microphone on many nights and called these positions thank-less because they are,” McMahon said. “It takes a special person to volunteer and be away from your own family to help so many other families in your communities. So, I would like to thank you for your sac-ri ces and commitment, not only to our students but to the entire community. We don’t always agree, but I always admire the sacri ces you have made. I thank each and every one of you for all you do.”

Ed Caperna, vice president of the United School Workers of Mahopac, was also on hand to recognize the board.

“On behalf of all the members, we say thank you to the board for its con-

tinuing e� orts to try and make every day … an excellent school experience for the children of this community,” he said. “We would also like to thank you for the continued support in allowing us to transport [the students] and maintain an excellent school experience as they enter the schools.”

“We feel the love and appreciate it,” said Leslie Man-cuso, school board president.

School board members recognized for service

PHOTO: BOB DUMASMembers of the Mahopac Board of Education, from left, Mark O’Connor, Leslie Mancuso (president), Mike Mongon (vice president), Lucy Massafra, Larry Keane, Penny Swift and Mike Simone. Missing: Dave Furfaro and Mike Cazzari

We don’t always agree, but I always admire the sacri� ces you have made.’- Tom McMahon

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BY JODI WEINBERGERCONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Voters in the 40th Senate District will have a choice when they go to the polls Nov. 6. between the incumbent Republi-can Sen. Terrence Murphy and Democrat Pete Harckham.

Murphy was elected to the state Sen-ate in 2014. He and his wife have three children and live in Yorktown.

Harckham is a former Westchester County legislator and lives in South Sa-lem. He defeated Robert Kesten in the Democrat primary last month.

We sat down with both candidates for a Q&A to get their perspectives on the issues of the day. Here’s what they said:

Terrence MurphyWhat are some issues facing the 40th

Senate District right now?�e most di�cult issues are the heroin

and opioid crisis, the closing of Indian Point, and the loss of the SALT deduc-tion for state and local taxes. Addition-ally, we must continue to stand up for victims of sexual and domestic abuse, protect the environment, and hold utility companies responsible for storm-related outages and neglecting their ageing infrastructure.

What are some challenges you face in the Senate to getting legislation passed?

I have worked with people on both sides of the aisle to create and pass legis-lation that will revitalize our waterfront communities and protect our drinking water. I have also worked with Senate and Assembly members to deliver record school aide, including $700 million in the past two years.

Why are you the best candidate for the position?

Look at my record. I sponsored legislation to limit opioid prescriptions from thirty to seven days. My bill was impetus for the bipartisan Opioid and Prevention Act proposed nationally by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and the late Sen. John McCain.

With violence in our schools on the rise, I sponsored bills that will make school shootings an act of domestic ter-rorism and provide state education aid for school districts that expend resources to improve security and safety technology.

When storms ravaged the Hudson Valley this past spring leaving thou-sands in the dark, I authored and passed legislation that will reform how utility companies respond to storm and power outages.

When the closure of Indian Point was announced, I included $24 million in the state budget into a cessation fund to

protect local taxpayers from future �nancial hardship. I also sponsored the Worker Protection Bill to get work-ers re-certi�ed so they can continue to support their families during the decom-missioning of the plant.

In addition, I have con-tinued to bring millions of dollars back into commu-nities to support educa-tion, transportation, and infrastructure projects.

For the past four years, I have been focused on enhancing our communities and improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers. I am honored to be your state Senator, and look for-ward to continue to serve as your repre-sentative for the 40th Senate District.

Pete HarckhamWhat are some issues facing the 40th

Senate District right now?Key issues include reforming health-

care, holding utility companies account-able, protecting our drinking water supply and the Hudson River, curbing substance and opioids abuse and invest-ing in renewable energy. In my �rst 30 days in the state Senate I’ll work to pass the Reproductive Health Act, the Child

Victims Act and the Red Flag bill. In the �rst term we will work to pass the NY Health Act, along with election re-form, expedited renewable energy goals and hold the utilities accountable for abysmal storm response. I’ll hold the line on taxes and focus like a laser on eco-nomic revitalization of our downtown Main Streets and family businesses.

What are some challenges you see in the Senate to getting legislation passed?

As a four-term county legislator and two-term majority leader I cannot sit by while Donald’s Trump’s enablers in Albany block progress and opportunity for all New Yorkers. Unfortunately, the

Murphy and Harckham to square off for state Senate

Terrence Murphy Pete Harckham

SEE SENATE PAGE 34

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HEALTH & WELLNESSPAGE 24 – MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2018

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� e American Heart Asso-ciation/American Stroke As-sociation, the world’s leading voluntary health organization devoted to � ghting cardiovas-cular disease and stroke, wants stroke survivors to know that

while life may be di� erent after a stroke, rehabilitation can help you regain some independence, decrease chances of another stroke and provide new goals for you to work toward.

Worldwide, stroke is the No.

2 cause of death and is a leading cause of long-term disability. An estimated 7.2 million U.S. adults 20 and older have had a stroke. Approximately 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke every year, with

about three in four being � rst-time strokes.

Stroke is more disabling than it is fatal. Paralysis, speech and memory loss are among the disabilities caused by stroke. Knowing the F.A.S.T. stroke signs is key to saving stroke victims from disability—and death. Stroke is largely beatable through high-quality rehabili-tation and patient support and implementation of the Asso-ciation’s Rehabilitation Guide-lines.

Unfortunately, up to a third of people who have a stroke do not participate in a rehab program. Stroke rehabilitation can help patients build their strength, capabilities and con-� dence, potentially regaining skills and returning to indepen-dent living. Rehab can also help patients better manage other conditions they have, which may a� ect daily living or their risk for a second stroke.

� e sooner a person can be treated for stroke, the more likely they are to have a suc-cessful outcome. Bystanders can help stroke victims by knowing the ‘F.A.S.T.” signs of stroke and acting fast if they suspect a stroke.

THE ACRONYM F.A.S.T. STANDS FOR:

F-Face Drooping - Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s smile uneven?

A-Arm Weakness - Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S-Speech Di� culty - Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to un-derstand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “� e sky is blue.”

T-Time to Call 9-1-1 - If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symp-toms go away, call 9-1-1 and get to a hospital immediately. Also note the time so you’ll know when the � rst symptoms appeared.

Education about F.A.S.T is a part of the American Stroke Association’s Together to End Stroke initiative, nationally sponsored by Medtronic. To-gether, the two organizations aim to help people to easily rec-ognize the stroke warning signs to improve stroke outcomes.

� e American Heart Asso-ciation/American Stroke As-sociation’s Together to End Stroke™ initiative, nationally sponsored by Kindred Rehabili-tation Services, raises awareness that stroke is largely beatable through high-quality reha-bilitation, patient support and implementation of the AHA/ASA’s Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery Guidelines.

For more information, visit StrokeAssociation.org.

Oct. 29 is World Stroke DayKnow the F.A.S.T. signs to help save a life

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HEALTH & WELLNESS MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 25THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2018

Q: At what age should I begin getting mammograms? A: Once a woman turns 40, the American Cancer Society and most recognized medical authorities recommend she start getting yearly mammograms. But mammograms aren’t uniformly sensitive in all women. Between 40 and 50 percent of women have dense breasts – �brous tissue as opposed to mostly fatty tissue – and that density can obscure potential problems.

Many women aren’t aware that breast density is an issue. New York State requires doctors to notify women, in a letter, when their mammogram reveals this is the case. Do not become alarmed if you get this letter. It simply means that you should have a conversation with your doctor about your overall breast cancer risk.

Q: Why is it important to know if I have dense breasts?A: Dense breasts can make mammograms less sensitive, and they may also contribute to cancer risk. You’ll need to speak with your doctor about your individual lifetime risk and thoroughly evaluate your risk factors. To determine your risk, your doctor will ask you about your family history of breast and ovarian cancer, your age when you had

your �rst period, whether you have children, when you had your �rst child, and any history of chest irradiation, among other potential risk factors. The good news is that for many women with dense breasts, their risk won’t be elevated enough to warrant any changes in screening. Q: What if I’m high risk?A: Women who are at high risk (greater than a 20-25% lifetime risk) and who have dense breast tissue should have annual screening breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in addition to a mammogram. MRIs are very sensitive and can pick up some cancer missed on a mammogram.

Q: Shouldn’t all women, regardless of their breast density, get a Breast MRI? A: There are many false positives with Breast MRI, which is why it is only recommended for women who are at high risk as they will derive the most bene�t. Regardless of your breast density, make sure you get your yearly mammogram and discuss your risk factors for breast cancer with your physician.

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BY DR. ALICE POLICEGUEST COLUMNIST

For women who need surgery for early-stage breast cancer, the goal is to remove all cancer cells while leaving as much of the breast as possible.

A new breast cancer treatment option called SAVI SCOUT is helping surgeons target and remove tissue more e� ectively while o� ering more comfort to patients. SAVI SCOUT is the � rst technology that uses radar in human tissue.

� e SAVI SCOUT surgical guidance system uses radar to target, or localize, tissue that needs to be removed. It’s like a GPS for abnormal tissue in the breast. It helps surgeons go straight to an ab-normality very precisely. It tells them exactly where something is in the breast that needs to be taken out. SAVI SCOUT replaces the practice of inserting hooked wires into the breast to mark the site of a tumor, which doctors have been doing since the 1970s.

TINY TECHNOLOGY WITH TREMENDOUS BENEFITS

With the SAVI SCOUT system, a ra-diologist injects a radar wave “re� ector” into the breast to show the location of the lesion, as indicated by an ultrasound or mammogram image. � e re� ector is

tiny—smaller than a grain of rice—and the patient can’t feel it. It’s made of metal and has little antennae; it looks like a teeny little airplane. It’s also MRI-compatible and doesn’t go o� at airport monitors. Pa-tients are often worried about that.

LESS ANXIETY, LESS DISCOMFORTSAVI SCOUT is a much better way to

target tumors than traditional wire local-ization. It’s more accurate and it’s also eas-ier on the patient. With wire localization, a radiologist must insert the wire into the breast on the day of surgery. � e patient has to come in hours early and sit around with the wire hanging out, often causing discomfort and anxiety, while she waits for the operation. � ere is also a chance that the wire will move, requiring that the site be re-excised.

� e SAVI SCOUT re� ector can be put in up to 30 days prior to the operation. � e patient doesn’t have to wait around on the day of surgery and she can have her surgery earlier in the day. Patients have less anxiety because of shorter waiting times. And it makes surgery scheduling much easier, so from that standpoint it makes the whole process more timely and e� cient.

A HIGHER LEVEL OF PRECISION AND ACCURACY

In the operating room, I use a con-

sole connected to a � exible wand to help guide the surgery. � e wand sends an infrared light into the re� ector, which turns it on, causing the re� ector to emit a signal that’s picked up by the wand. A continuous readout on the console shows me how far I am from the re� ector and it directs me straight to the lesion. During the procedure, I remove the abnormal-ity and the re� ector. We take pictures of what we take out, and we can see the little re� ector is there.

SMALLER INCISIONS AND A BETTER COSMETIC RESULT

Overall, women have a great outcome with SAVI SCOUT. I make smaller in-cisions because I go straight to the le-sion, and I remove less normal tissue, so women have improved cosmetic results. Researchers are still gathering data on whether use of the SAVI SCOUT sys-tem increases the chance that all cancer cells are removed during surgery, reduc-ing the need to reopen the site. � ere’s no conclusive data on that, but it’s my belief that it does.

OUR GOAL IS TO SAVE THE BREASTWe’re doing a lot more breast-con-

serving surgeries today and treating early breast cancers due to improved imaging. We’re not doing mastectomies as much

anymore. Our goal is to save the breast, so we want to know exactly where the prob-lem is to take out the cancer and leave as much normal tissue as possible. While surgeons use SAVI SCOUT primarily for breast cancer surgery, they can also use it to remove benign lesions from the breast and cancerous lymph nodes from the armpit.

HOW MANY BREAST CANCER PATIENTS CAN SAVI SCOUT POTENTIALLY HELP?

Let’s say there are 50,000 new breast cancers a year, and two-thirds of them are not mastectomies, that’s 30,000 to 35,000 a year—and that’s just the cancer surgery. We also use it for benign surgeries. So it’s probably going to be up to 70,000 wom-en a year who potentially could use this technology, instead of wires. � at’s a lot!

Editor’s note: Dr. Police was the very rst surgeon in the U.S. to use SAVI SCOUT technology after the system was approved by the FDA in 2015. She brought the technology to Northern Westchester Hospital and Phelps Hospital a year ago. To learn more, visit nwhbreastinstitute.org/DrPolice. Alice Police, MD, is the Regional Director of Breast Surgery for Northwell Health.

Making breast surgery easier for womenSAVI SCOUT


BY STEPHANIE GOMMEGUEST COLUMNIST

A child’s upbringing in today’s world di� ers greatly from the past – it often seems like the days of muddy jeans, playgrounds, and face-to-face social interaction are gone.

We are now calling for debates on subjects such as “screen-time” for electronics, e-books and in-teractive online games. Questions arise regarding the bene� ts and consequences of having infants and toddlers learn mainly from electronics, and how children of all ages are impacted by what seems to be a constant stream of information, images and social media demands.

It is important to look at the e� ect that overuse of technology can have on children’s cognitive development – their ability to adjust to new and known stimuli, their ability to process informa-tion and recall it when needed. Some view technology as a battle against cognitive growth as chil-dren become “tech-savvy” and yet remain unable to self-regulate their attention span and impulses.

One thing is clear. Children are consistently inundated with infor-mation via technology that they must process and comprehend on a daily basis. Today’s world has a wealth of knowledge that can be accessed at one’s � ngertips, but

some of that information can be harmful to the development and overall well-being of children. � e harm can be done to both their physical interaction with the world as well as their critical thinking processes. � e constant distraction provided by screens can cause a stark disconnect in a child’s natural sensory and cogni-tive development. Electronics can inhibit a child’s sensory experi-ences with the external world and limit them to a digital one. � is impacts how they learn and main-tain needed skills, for example, memory recollection, particularly as so many answers to questions can quickly be found by simply asking Siri.

Without sensory development through movement, touch and direct interaction with others, a child’s capacity to develop es-sential sensory processes can be inhibited. Consider traditional kindergarten classrooms with sensory tables that allow children to work with sand, water, felt or any other safe, textured material to begin learning basic concepts of how they can a� ect their sur-roundings just with their hands. Toys like building blocks with let-ters and numbers give them repre-sentation of the symbols that they will eventually use to write and create. By relying on electronic devices, without a balance of more traditional learning techniques,

children may struggle to under-stand core concepts like time and the consequences of their actions, and not fully develop their capac-ity for creativity and proper self-regulation.

In addition to considering the amount of time children spend on screens, content remains an im-portant issue to consider. Without e� ective screening, parents and guardians may unknowingly allow their children to view disturbing content, even while simply try-ing to keep them entertained on long car trips or in waiting rooms. � ere has long been attention given to violence and sexual con-tent that youth may be exposed to on screens of all types. � ere are organizations such as the ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) and Common Sense Me-dia that assign ratings for video games, apps, websites, movies, and more to assist parents in making informed choices. � is type of in-formation can help parents make decisions on what best � ts their child’s stage of development.

More recently, the issue of gambling has gained attention, particularly regarding “loot box-es.” Many video games o� er “loot boxes” to players, a device that provides an item for a � xed cost but without the purchaser know-ing what the box contains. Many

Technology and wellness: The impact on youth

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SEE GOMME PAGE 28

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Tradition Of Excellence In Healthcare™

Putnam Hospital Center celebrated a vital achievement on Monday, Oct. 15, by cutting the ribbon on a new, state-of-the-art emergency de-partment.

Hospital o� cials say the $9 million project is a crucial step toward enhancing patient care as the hospital responds to a growing community.

“ e new emergency department is a rea� rma-tion of Putnam Hospital Center’s commitment to providing patients with individualized care that is delivered with compassion and increased safety and e� ciency,” hospital President Peter Kelly said.

Construction began in September 2017 and involved building a new 8,400-square-foot emergency department adjacent to the existing 8,600-square-foot facility. e addition includes 11 private specialty treatment rooms, a new nurs-es’ station, and a larger waiting room, along with separate ambulance and pedestrian entrances to improve patient safety and � ow. e new Emer-gency Department opened for business on Tues-day, Oct. 16.

“I’m so proud to be part of this incredible proj-ect,” Emergency Department Medical Director Dr. Keyur Ajbani said. “We strive for excellence in our Emergency Department and this expansion will provide us with the platform to deliver that care.”

Phase II of the project started Oct. 17 and in-volves renovating a portion of the existing emer-

gency department, creating four new treatment rooms, a results-pending room, a consult-bereave-ment room, a new sta� lounge, bathrooms, lockers and a new waiting area for transferring patients and pick-ups. ose refurbishments are expected to be completed by the end of March 2019. When completed, the Putnam Hospital Center Emer-gency Department will have a total of 27 treat-ment rooms.

“ is expansion strengthens our ability to ad-dress the healthcare needs of the community as we continue to grow as a regional healthcare sys-tem,” Kelly said.

In 2017, Putnam Hospital Center had 27,017 visits to its Emergency Department, a � gure that is projected to reach close to 28,000 this year.

e ribbon-cutting ceremony took place near the entrance of the new Emergency Department, where approximately 150 community members, local leaders and employees joined Kelly, mem-bers of the Health Quest and Putnam Hospital Center boards of trustees, the Putnam Hospital Center Foundation and Putnam Hospital Center Auxiliary to celebrate the occasion.

e enhancements and renovations are paid in part by contributions made by the auxiliary and other fundraising e� orts.

Article was provided by Putnam Hospital Center.

Putnam Hospital cuts ribbon for new emergency

department

From left, Robert Friedberg, CEO of Health Quest; Karen Fleming, PHC board chair; Peter Kelly, PHC president; and Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell cut the ribbon.

PHOTOS: SARAH BUSSINGEROne of the many rooms in the new emergency department at PHC


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Saturday, October 2710am-2pmNorthern Westchester Hospital400 East Main StreetMount Kisco, NY

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

Turn in your unneeded or expired prescription medication for safe disposal at Northern Westchester Hospital,400 East Main Street, Mount Kisco, NY.

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Together we can make a difference.

Doctors and nurses from Northern West-chester Hospital (NWH) performed check-ups on stu� ed animals and dolls and dem-onstrated applying casts, sutures and � xing boo boos at a free Teddy Bear Clinic and Health Fair Oct. 13.

After getting a clean bill of health, kids and parents enjoyed games, including germ-buster, hand-hygiene and spin the wheel-of-nutrition. � ey also learned tips on nu-trition, exercise, health and safety, including staying safe on Halloween. Participants saw a daVinci Robot demo and enjoyed an ac-tivity craft sponsored by the Junior League of Northern Westchester.

� e Teddy Bear Clinic is designed to lessen the fears that children may have when visiting a hospital or physician o� ce.

Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH), a member of Northwell Health, provides quality, patient-centered care that is close to home through a unique combination of medical expertise, leading-edge technology, and a commitment to humanity. For more information, visit nwhc.net.

Local teddy bears get clean bill of health

Dr. Killian leads canine surgical team at NWH

teddy bear clinic.PHOTO COURTESY OF

RENEE BAER-SELBY

countries, including the United States, are viewing this as a form of gambling, which carries serious risks for young people. According to � e Preven-tion Council of Putnam (preventioncouncilput-nam.org), “Gambling today is more accessible than ever. It is portrayed through television and other media as exciting and easy money. However, gambling can lead to serious problems. Your child needs to know that gambling can easily get out of control and lead to serious losses, not only of money and possessions, but also the loss of trust and respect from family and friends or educational opportunities. Studies show that the earlier a child engages in risky behaviors, the greater the likeli-hood those behaviors will become problematic.”

We all can recognize the bene� ts of our tech-nological advances; however, we need to remain vigilant about the negative consequences as well. � ere are many questions about our reliance on the digital world that will take time to answer. And clearly, technology itself is not to blame, but now is the time to consider the way we use it. How it is integrated into our children’s lives may have lasting e� ects on their growth and development. Aware-ness and a close monitoring of time, content, and interaction are key to keeping a balance in your child’s life.

Stephanie Gomme is a Parent Partner in the Family Empowerment Program at CoveCare Center in Carmel. CoveCare Center partners with individuals, families and the community to foster hope, wellness, and recovery, and to restore quality of life by addressing mental health needs, substance use, and social and emotional issues. For more information, visit CoveCareCenter.org or call 845-225-2700.

GOMME FROM PAGE 26


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BY JEREMY BROWN CONTRIBUTOR

Who doesn’t love Halloween? � e crisp fall air, lawns and porches aglow with jack-o-lanterns, bobbing for apples and, lest we forget, candy. Lots and lots of candy.

But, lurking behind that veneer of fun is the ever-present threat of danger, and the unwary parent can � nd themselves in trouble if they’re not vigilant. “As a par-ent, Halloween is scary for reasons other than ghosts and goblins,” said Justin Lavelle, chief communications direc-tor of the online background check platform, beenveri-� ed.com. “� e safety of your child on a day that invites real creeps and monsters is your main concern.”

Perhaps above all other days of the year, Halloween is the day where safety should matter the most. Here are some expert-curated tips on how to make sure that your Halloween is � lled with more treats than tricks.

TRICK OR TREAT WISELYIf you’re concerned about your kids going from house

to house and bringing home questionable treats, consider activities that are sponsored by trustworthy groups that

are close to home. “Events like this are supervised

by the � re department with a very speci� c goal of making sure that all the candy is checked for hazards and the people supply-ing it are community helpers,” said Kimberly Tucker, a licensed mental health counselor and child

therapist and the owner of Pineapples Play � erapy, LLC.

BE A CANDY COLLECTOR If you do have your kids pound the local pavement in

search of Halloween goodies, make sure to go through what they bring home at the end of the night. Don’t be shy about tossing anything that doesn’t pass the safety test.

“As creative and fun as homemade treats can be, I person-ally wouldn’t allow my kids to have any of the homemade treats unless I personally know the person that made it,” Tucker said. “If there is any packaging that is open or looks tampered with, err on the side of caution and pitch it.”

LEAVE THE PROPS AT HOME Sure it’s fun to accessorize your costume, but when

you factor in your props, treat bag (or pillowcase if you’re old school), plus a mask or eyewear, you’re putting your-self at risk for distraction and possibly catastrophe. One dropped item in the street could mean trouble for unsus-pecting kids.

“Candy gathering is a two-hand job,” said Dr. Loretta Brady, professor of psychology at Saint Anselm College. “� e portable chain-saw or amazing unicorn stallion will likely make it hard to walk and gather goodies and prevent any accidents.”

WATCH OUT BEHIND THE WHEEL Yes, it’s not just the kids who have to be on

their toes on Oct. 31. If you’re on the road while kids are out roaming, make sure that you’re being extra cautious.

“Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs,” said Chandler Coleman, a con-sumer insights investigator for ConsumerSafety.org. “Eliminate any distractions including phones, loud mu-sic or additional noise to better concentrate on the road and your surroundings.”

STICK TOGETHER Whether they go out with you or with a group of their

friends, make sure that your kids are observing the bud-dy system when they hit the trick or treat trail.

“Kids should never trick-or-treat alone,” said Sanjay Mehta, DO, FAAP, a board-certi� ed pediatrician and division chief of the Pediatric Emergency Department at CentraState Medical Center. “If possible, go with a group of kids and make sure there is at least one adult with the group. “Each child should have his/her own � ashlight to carry and to turn it on prior to dusk and keep it on until they are safely at home.”

When you and your kids go out in search of goodies, don’t forget to stay safe!Keep ‘Happy’ in 'Happy Halloween'

SportsSportsPAGE 30 – MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2018

BY SKIP PEARLMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

A solid second half propelled the Mahopac girls soccer team to a 4-1 victory over No. 12 Ur-suline in a Class A � rst-round game Sunday at Mahopac.

Mahopac played to a 1-1 tie at the half, thanks to a Grace DiVincenzo goal. But the ’Pac didn’t wait long in the second, scoring three minutes in on a Hailey Pereira goal, assisted by Carly Steinberg, to take the lead for good.

Mia Klammer gave the Indi-ans a 3-1 lead in the 25th min-ute, scoring o� a feed from Zina McInerney, and Maddy DeCola provided another insurance goal with 12 minutes left.

Isabel Omboni had 16 saves in goal for Mahopac, which im-proved to 12-5.

“On our � rst possession we had a really good possession,” Indians coach Ross Fumusa said. “We got a fast goal, but then we sat back and let them back in the game. We came back and applied

pressure in the second half, but I’d like to put them away earlier. Against a better team, that could be too little too late.”

“Zina played a great second half on defense,” Fumusa added. “Hailey also had a strong game, Mia with a goal and an assist was a factor and played well. We put Carly back a little more than usu-al to win the ball and distribute in the second half, and after that we scored three goals. In the second half it was a great team e� ort.”

Mahopac advanced to the Oct. 23 quarter� nal round, where the team was scheduled to face Clarkstown South, the No. 4 seed (11-5-1). Mahopac lost to South last month in regular-season ac-tion. � e winner of that contest advances to the Oct. 25 (today’s)semi� nal round.

“We didn’t play our best against them,” Fumusa said. “We have to move the ball quickly, keep it down, and play the way we are facing. It will be a chal-lenging game, but I think we are up for it.”

Mahopac tramples Ursuline

Strong second half lifts Indians in � rst round of sectionals

game. We came back and applied up for it.”

Christina Lopreato battles for the ball.

Zina McInerney celebrates with Mia Klammer after Klammer scores another goal for Mahopac.PHOTOS: DEENA BELL

Maddy DeCola rushes the ball into the goal to seal the win against Ursuline. Net minder Isabel Omboni.

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SPORTS MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 31THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2018

’Pac volleyball team fi nishes 16-1, clinches league title

Indians likely to be top seed in AA sectionals

BY SKIP PEARLMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Mahopac’s volleyball team, al-ready league champs, closed out its regular season Monday with a 3-1 victory over Roy C. Ketcham High School.

� e road win was the team’s third in � ve days and capped a season in which the Indians posted a 16-1 record. Mahopac posted a 3-1 victory over Ar-lington on the road last � ursday (Oct. 18), then shut out visiting Carmel 3-0 the next day.

� e Indians, who clinched their second straight league title with the victory over Arlington, will head to the sectionals Friday,

Oct 26, with a home � rst-round match. Quarter� nals are sched-uled for the following Monday, semis will follow that Wednesday and � nals are set for Sunday, Nov. 4, at Pace University.

Indians coach Jay Melville, in his 13th season with the team, believes the Indians are ready for a deep post-season run.

“We’ve played every team in AA with a winning record except for Ossining, and we’ve beaten every team, so we know we have the capability of winning the whole thing,” Melville told the Mahopac News. “But we didn’t blow the doors o� of anyone. And depending on the draw, we

Captain Carah Vitkus slams a spike at the Oct. 19 game against Carmel.PHOTO COURTESY OF FRANK CAMMARATA

SEE VOLLEYBALL PAGE 32

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could get a bad matchup and lose in the quarter� -nals. AA is very competitive.

“But we’ve been playing well,” he added. “We lost our second match, and haven’t lost since, so we’ve been consistent the whole year. Hopefully that will carry over into the playo� s.”

Mahopac started slowly last � urs-day, Oct. 18, dropping the � rst set, but then coming back to deny Arlington by winning the

next three. Carah Vitkus had 17 kills, 22 digs and two

blocks, Francesca Cammarata had 32 assists, six kills and � ve aces, and Leah Vitiello added seven kills and seven digs.

“It’s always nice to win the league,“ Melville said. “It was in question after that � rst game; we came out � at and didn’t play well to start. We went down 7-1. But we have a very solid group; they didn’t get overwhelmed. It was nothing they were doing, it was us. Once we settled in, we played well.”

One day later, hosting winless Carmel, the In-dians won in straight sets on their Senior Night.

Vitkus had 16 kills, six aces and eight digs, Cam-marata had 13 assists, � ve kills and eight digs and Meghan Berglund and added 10 digs.

“Our seniors got to play in every point, and they all played well,” Melville said. It was a good night for the whole team.”

SPORTSPAGE 32 – MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2018

� e Mahopac High School football team traveled to North Rockland last Saturday (Oct. 20) and came up on the short end of a 13-7 decision.

Tim Cegielski, who gained 57 yards on 11 carries, scored Ma-hopac’s only touchdown. Reahl Allen had 86 yards receiving on � ve catches and Indians quarter-back Anthony Corrado complet-ed 10 of his 18 attempts for 141 yards. He was intercepted once.

North Rockland senior quar-terback Je� rey Abrams had a

touchdown on the ground for the Raiders and Jay Rodriguez had another score and rushed for 50 yards.

North Rockland took ad-vantage of four Mahopac turn-overs—three fumbles and one interception.

� e Indians will close their sea-son with a home game this week-end vs. Scarsdale, date and time to be announced.

— Skip Pearlman

’Pac football team drops close game at North Rockland

FOOTBALL VOLLEYBALL FROM PAGE 31

An Arlington player just misses Capatan Francesca Cammarata's dump ball.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FRANK CAMMARATA

be announced.

Mahopac’s Diana Kone (16) returns a shot at the net at Arlington, where the Indians clinched a league title.PHOTO: SKIP PEARLMAN

Halston Media is looking for more sports reporters and photographers to join our

freelance team. Students are welcome. If interested email [email protected].

SPORTS WRITERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS WANTED!

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ACME Chophouse Grill Gino’s Trattoria Nails Noble Stop & ShopAppliance Sales Plus Cold Stone Creamery Grace Nails Neri’s Bakery Throggs Neck TileA&S Pork Store Crossroads Deli Graphic Management NY Sports Club ValvolineArturo’s Costco The Higgins’ Family Pampered Chef Vega Gymnastics Benvenuto’s Cozi Barber Shop HV Renegades Patrick’s Pub & Grill Villa BaroneThe Blue Hen D’Berto Pizzeria Iguana Wanna Car Wash Pins-Needles Sewing Tom Volpiciello Bounce Dick’s Sporting Goods Il Laghetto Restaurant Primavera Restaurant Vittoria’Z on the Lake Bucci’s Deli Dunkin Donuts JV Bagels Putnam Arts Council Wstchstr/Putnam Pottery Bull & Barrell Entertainment Tech. Kobu Asian Bistro Red Mills Pub Who’s Cooking Corrado Family Epic Dance Center Leros Point to Point Rick’s Seafood WHUD Cacciatore’s Frankie & Augie’Z Mahopac Fire Dept Rooney Orthodontics Zach’s PizzeriaCarmel Cinemas Fiddler’s Green Pub MHS Cheer Route 6 Tap House 91 Lacrosse Cassandra Abt Flory’s on the Run Mahopac Inn Salon D’Avanti Mahopac News Castle Fun Center Four Brothers Mahopac TD Club Somers Bagels Centennial Golf Course Frasers Hardware MSA Baseball Sports Courts Chili’s Red’s Hair Salon Mike & Joe’s Pizza State Farm- Tim Beyer

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Thank You

Thank you to our Corporate Sponsors The Players, Coaches & Parents would like to thank everyone in the town of Mahopac that allowed the Cooperstown

Baseball experience to be possible for these young men on the MSA 12U Baseball Team. We appreciate all of the tremendous generosity and kindness that were provided during our fundraising efforts.


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for Nearly 40 Years

In 2006, Ma-hopac resident Dr. Maria Kaprielian created a series of paintings based on her experiences driving around Putnam County. She captured the beauty of the coun-try roads, as well as the isolation that one can feel while traveling by car, especially while performing such mundane tasks as going to work, gro-cery shopping or picking up a child from school.

Her series of eight oil paintings, entitled “Putnam Roads”, are on display on the � rst and second � oors of Mahopac Public Library.� e complex greens of the trees depicted in these works is a stark contrast to the quiet mood of each painting—the streets are empty of tra� c and portray a stillness that might be found on an early morning drive around Lake Mahopac.

Kaprielian received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from SUNY Purchase, and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Cornell

University. She considers herself to be an “in-tuitive scientist” or a “systematic artist,” de-pending on which half of her brain decides to be dominant that day.

“Art is important” Kaprielian said, “and it makes our lives better. For me, drawing and painting allows me to understand my subject matter in a way no other medium can.”

For further information about exhibits at Mahopac Public Library, visit www.mahopa-clibrary.org, and click the ‘Events’ link, or call 845-628-2009, ext. 108.

Putnam roads featured in Mahopac artist’s exhibit

IMAGE PROVIDED BY MAHOPAC LIBRARYPutnam Road #3 by Maria Kaprielian

Here is a list of meetings and other events in the coming weeks for the town of Carmel govern-ment and the Mahopac School District. Times are subject to change.

CARMEL TOWN BOARDWednesday, Oct. 31Meeting starts at 7 p.m., Town

Hall, 60 McAlpin Ave., Mahopac

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS (ZBA)

� ursday, Oct. 25Meeting starts at 7:30 p.m.,

Town Hall, 60 McAlpin Ave., Mahopac

PLANNING BOARDWednesday, Nov. 14Meeting starts at 7 p.m., Town

Hall, 60 McAlpin Ave., Mahopac

BOARD OF EDUCATION� ursday, Nov. 15Meeting starts at 7:30 p.m.;

Falls School, 100 Myrtle Ave., Mahopac Falls

Republican majority has abdi-cated their right to lead. It’s not that important legislation is not being passed, it’s not even being discussed or debated, as the leadership regularly blocks bills and even routine administrative matters from reaching the � oor.

Why are you the best candi-date for the position?

I turned a Republican leg-islative seat Democratic in the County Legislature and held it for three more terms during the height of the Tea Party. Dur-ing the same period I passed important legislation on hous-ing, childcare, the environment and more. Further, I spent four terms building needed coali-tions to pass successful bipar-tisan legislation and so will regularly reach across the aisle for the good of the community. To constituents who are tired of the corruption and partisan gridlock, who feel that both Washington and Albany are not listening, I hear you and I will work for all citizens.

I am dedicated to Hudson Valley values. In this election we need to defeat Terrence Murphy to turn the state Senate blue.

SENATE FROM PAGE 23


BY STEVE REIDGUEST WRITER

Halloween is enjoyed by children and adults alike, but it can be scary and dangerous for your dog. Here are a few proactive Halloween safety tips for your dog.

Do not leave your pet in the yard alone on Halloween. Dogs should be kept indoors on Halloween and only taken out on a leash to go to the bathroom. Unfortunately, there are many horrible stories of animals being teased, injured and stolen on Halloween night.

Dog costumes can be an unnecessary stressor and are not for every dog. Only dress your dog in an appropriately � tted costume if they are completely comfortable with it. A too restrictive costume that obstructs their view can cause even the nicest dog to snap, growl, or show aggression if they can’t clearly see what is going on.

Most people open their door frequently on Halloween night to greet trick-or-treaters. Each time you open your door, it is one more chance

for your dog to escape. Help prevent your dog from running away by placing them in another room that is safe to stay in for the evening.

Halloween is a fun and exciting evening for humans, but let’s make sure we keep our dogs happy and safe this Oct. 31

Daylight savings on Nov. 4 will not only be an adjustment for you, but it will a� ect your dog as well. Make this transition easier by gradually adjusting your dog’s schedule a week before the time change. Move these aspects of your dog’s routine back 10 minutes each day: feeding times, daily walks, play time, sleep schedule, and your arrival/departure times for work (if possible).

Slow and gradual adjustments will make day-light savings easier and less stressful for you and your dog.

Steve Reid is a certi� ed dog trainer and owner of Somers-based S.R. Dog Training which services Westchester and Putnam counties. For more information about S. R. Dog Training, visit www.srdogtraining.com or call 914-774-7654.

Fall tips for your dog: Halloween safety, daylight savings

Superintendent DiCarlo said that Swift “will de� nitely be missed.”

“It’s been my pleasure to have worked with you,” he told her. “But your heart has always been about what is best for your family.”

Mancuso said Swift’s resigna-tion was “shocking news,” adding that the district has been lucky to have her.

“I wish you only the best,” Mancuso told her.

Trustee Larry Keane—who was elected to the board last May along with Swift—called her res-ignation “a great loss for the dis-trict.”

“You are one of the brightest, fairest people I know,” he told her.

SWIFT FROM PAGE 1

company that has worked with the district in the past.

“We had a very good response to our request for a construction manager,” Furfaro said.

Sotland also reported that a newly constructed community advisory committee just had its � rst meeting on the project and that the district’s architect has had meetings with various depart-ments, such as science and music.

“We are maintaining our time-line,” Sotland said.

Sotland told Mahopac News in August that based on the drop-o� in debt service, $55 million in cap-ital improvement projects would be needed to maintain the tax levy, though, he notes, that doesn’t necessarily mean that is what the district will spend. In fact, school o� cials note that the $55 mil-lion is a “pure number”—the true cost of the project(s). A signi� cant portion of that amount would be reduced by state aid, though Di-

Carlo said it’s much too soon to know how much state aid they’ll receive.

Some of the projects the bond might cover, once the scope of the plan is determined, include technology improvements, site improvements and development, renovating libraries to make them multimedia centers, music and performance upgrades, athletic � elds and facilities, infrastructure and energy e� ciency, security improvements and STEAM and science instructional upgrades.

DiCarlo said once the projects are chosen, the school board will decide how much can it do and how much can it a� ord. An estab-lished timeline calls for the projects to be chosen by the end of the year and for the school board to pass a resolution in February that puts the projects on a ballot referendum for the May 2019 budget vote.

“We are not just spending money for the sake of spending money. But we have an ideal situa-tion in the district. We have some needs,” Sotland said.

CAPITAL PROJECTSFROM PAGE 8

‘It’s bittersweet, but it’s best for my family. It’s

hard to give up and put a hard stop to it.’

- Penny SwiftBoard of Eduction Trustee

845-628-8080

Law Offices of Joseph J. Tock963 Route 6, Mahopac, NY 10541 • TOCKLAW.COM

A M A Z I N G

PROFESSIONAL COMPETENT RESPONSIVE THOROUGH

RESPECTFUL

WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING...

LEISUREPAGE 36 – MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2018

CLUES ACROSS 1. Rhythmic patterns 7. Ethical theory13. Nightclub14. Upsets16. Type of railroad17. Home of The Beatles19. Political organization20. Disgraced cyclist Armstrong22. Seven23. Enlarges hole25. Some are big26. August __, German socialist28. Unappetizing food29. Cast out30. Adult male31. After uno33. Midway between northeast and east34. Kenyan settlement36. Oxygen deprived38. British writer40. Synchronizes solar and lunar time41. Vehemently expressed43. Hurt44. Relative biological effectiveness (abbr.)45. Gradually weaken47. Cool!48. Touch softly51. Israeli city53. Indicating silence55. Protein-rich liquids56. Tropical Asian plants58. A very small circular

shape59. Type of wrap60. Potato state61. Spinning toy64. Type of degree65. Ornamental molding67. Closes again69. Verses70. Rise up

CLUES DOWN 1. Spanish seaport

2. Equal to one quintillion (abbr.) 3. Powders 4. One of the “Great” ones 5. Increase motor speed 6. “E.T.” director 7. Caught sight of 8. Congressional investigative body 9. Aroma10. Runs without moving11. Southeast

12. About remembering13. Slang for famous person15. Potential criminal18. Body part21. All over the place24. Conqueror26. Actress Ling27. Mauna __, Hawaiian volcano30. Distributes32. Golfi ng legend Sam35. Laos musical instrument37. Open payment initiative38. Having no fi xed course39. Type of dog42. Digital audiotape43. Hit lightly46. San Diego ballplayers47. Stop working49. Suitable for growing crops

50. Musical groups52. Soft54. Lowest point of a ridge55. Beloved late TNT broadcaster57. Thin strip to align parts59. Cardinal number62. Frozen water63. One who is incredibly special66. Rhodium68. Top lawyer in the land

Fun By The NumbersLike puzzles? Then you’ll love sudoku. This mind-bending puzzle will have you hooked from the moment you square off, so sharpen your pencil and put your sudoku savvy to the test!Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fi ll each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can fi gure 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!

Puzzle solutions on page 39Crossword

Cost $39/Per Person4 Course Meal &

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COME LEARN TO MAKE SOME OFMAHOPAC’S FAVORITE DISHES!

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MAHOPAC LIONSPresents

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Proceeds BenefitDrug Crisis In Our Backyard &

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955 Route 6 Mahopac NY

FREE ENTERTAINMENT ‘4’ YOU AT THE LIBRARY!Come enjoy Four on the Floor — a FREE, 1-HOUR performance

of four funny, poignant playlets with a lot to say! 1) Split Session By Albi Gorn — a patient turns the tables on a shrink. Featuring Jess Beveridge and Bruce Apar. Directed by Albi Gorn

2) Foothold By Pat Lennon — a man with an ingrown toenail gets treatment for his ingrown soul. Featuring Christopher Lukas/Joe Niola and Ali Bernhardt/Maggie Kramer. Directed by Christopher Lukas

3) Is Nothing Sacred? By Evelyn Mertens — a Sunday school teacher puts an unusual twist on The Ten Commandments. Featuring Ann Gulian. Directed by Robin Anne Joseph

4) The Late Gordon Kaplan By Robin Anne Joseph — a widow makes an unusual request of the Rabbi at the funeral of her husband. Featuring Ann Gulian, Jess Beveridge, Bruce Apar. Directed by Robin Anne Joseph

Actors in “Four on the Floor” include (from left) Ann Gulian, Bruce Apar, Jess Beveridge. (Photo: Robin Anne Joseph)

SCHEDULE OF FREE PERFORMANCESSOMERS LIBRARY – Sunday, Nov. 4 at 2 p.m.

CROTON FREE LIBRARY – Friday, Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. YORKTOWN JOHN C. HART LIBRARY – Sunday, Nov. 18 at 2 p.m.

OSSINING LIBRARY – Thursday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. This production of the M&M Library Series is co-produced by M&M Performing Arts Company

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BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 37THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2018

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Town Board of the Town of Carmel will conduct a Public Hearing on the Fire Protection Contracts and the Ambulance District Contracts for the year 2019, to be held on the 7th day of November, 2018 at the Town Hall, 60 McAlpin Avenue, Mahopac, New York at 7:00 p.m. or soon thereafter that evening as possible; said contracts to be advertised and posted as follows:

CONTRACTOR; SERVICES; NOT TO EXCEED

• Mahopac Falls Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.; Fire Protection-Fire Protection Dist. #1; $794,000.00

• Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.; Fire Protection-Fire Protection Dist.

#2; $1,225,000.00• Carmel Fire District &

Carmel Fire Department, Inc.; Fire Protection-Fire Protection Dist. #3; $803,500.00

• Carmel Volunteer Ambulance Corps; Ambulance Services-Carmel Ambulance District #1; $150,000.00

• North Salem Volunteer Ambulance Corps; Ambulance Services-Carmel Ambulance District #1; $12,900.00

At said Public Hearing, all interested persons shall be heard on the subject thereof. � e Town Board will make every e� ort to assure that the Public Hearing is accessible to persons with disabilities. Anyone requiring special assistance and/or reasonable accommodations should contact the Town Clerk.

By Order of the Town Board of the Town of Carmel

Ann Spo� ord, Town Clerk

LEGAL NOTICES

BY ALAN D. FELLER, ESQ.GUEST COLUMNIST

Home health care is a topic we return to again and again because it is the expressed wish of most of our clients that they receive care at home.

� e bene� ts of returning home to receive care include familiarity, comfort and con-tinuity. � e not-so-rosy issues that may arise are increased isolation, the degradation of the home and the lack of necessary oversight.

Long term care at home is not always a victory. Caregivers will express feelings of disap-pointment or failure when a loved one is placed in a long-term care facility. Sometimes sentimentality clouds reason in these situations. Often, the reality is more complicated. Serious illnesses with involved treatment regimens may not always be best served by care at home. Living alone with an ill-ness can be isolating, especially if mobility has been a� ected. � e socialization that exists in

care facilities is varied, but it can o� er positive connections that combat loneliness. A home or apartment will also fall into disrepair more quickly when its occupant is limited physically. Relying on caregivers or clean-ing services may not be enough to maintain the property. Homes with multiple levels or tight spaces also present major challenges to caregivers. � e Hudson Valley housing stock is chock full of raised ranches and older homes with tiny bedrooms that require creative renovation solutions.

� e hardest issue to reconcile is the family caregiver’s own limitations. Sometimes a care-giver cannot provide enough support to their loved one to o� er the safest and best care option. Recognizing this fact requires a level of objectivity that does not reveal itself very quickly. Believing they possess superhero-like abilities is often the caregiver’s initial default assumption. � e rhythms of daily life–children, job, personal relationships—interfere with

caregiving. � e best long term care result is a safe environ-ment for the ill individual and a manageable situation for the caregiver. If a caregiver is overly burdened and stressed, then one-half of the long term care equation is out of whack and will not work.

When home and caregiver mesh, the results are encourag-ing. Discharge from a hospital or rehabilitation facility to one’s home works best when a plan is in place. A homecare plan would include: working with home health aides individually or as part of an agency, educat-ing all parties about the Med-icaid long-term-care system and private pay options while

When is home health care the right option?

SEE FELLER PAGE 39

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CLASSIFIEDSPAGE 38 – MAHOPAC NEWS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2018

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BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE MAHOPAC NEWS – PAGE 39THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2018

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the transition is taking place, ensuring proper nutrition and supplies are available, � guring out medical appointments and the administering of medication. � ere will be ups and downs

during this home-care transition, but our goal should be to make the patient’s wish a reality.

Alan D. Feller, Esq. is an attorney with Sloan & Feller at 625 Route 6 in Mahopac. He can be reached at 845-621-8640. For more information, visit sloanandfeller.com.

FELLERFROM PAGE 37

Gift giving in the workplace can be challenging territory to navigate.

And as anyone who has re-ceived an inappropriate gift or something that really wasn’t use-ful can attest, he or she probably doesn’t want to face a situation in which a gift leads to o� ce gossip.

According to a poll conducted by Harris, around half of workers plan to gift at least one business associate around the holidays, but are confused about what to give. Too often it’s up to workers to navigate these etiquette mine-� elds on their own, but the fol-lowing tips can help the process go smoothly.

• Keep it impersonal. Imper-sonal doesn’t mean it’s acceptable to grab anything o the shelf. But the gift should not be something

that would o end tastes or senti-ments. Avoid clothing, perfume, jewelry or accessories. Lotions and other scented items are also ill-advised.

• Skip your boss. Etiquette ex-perts say that gifts should � ow downward, not upward, in the realm of employment ranking. � at means it’s best to stick with gifting colleagues who are on the same level as you. Buying a gift for the boss may look like you’re simply trying to score brown-ie points instead of o ering a meaningful gift.

• Give group gifts. Rather than gifting individuals, it can be safer to give a group gift from which many can bene� t. � is can include co ee and pastries from a nearby bakery, or a bouquet of � owers to brighten up the o� ce environment.

• Keep prices modest. O� ce giving is not about illustrating who can a ord the most expen-sive gift. Remember, some people will not be able to reciprocate, and they shouldn’t feel uncom-fortable for being on the receiv-ing end of a lavish gift.

• Follow the rules. Gift ex-

changes should be cleared with supervisors or human resources professionals. It pays to check if there are rules in place for gifting others.

• Avoid cash gifts. Giving cash or checks is not a good idea. Money should only come by way of bonuses from higher-ups. If

you’re stuck on what to give, a gift card to a store that a coworker visits is acceptable.

Gifting at work is complicated, and certain etiquette should be followed so no lines are crossed.

� is article is from Metro Creative Connection.

Workplace gifting etiquette: Get giving right

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS


Our children’s needs and relationships helped us build strong ties in our community. Our family has set down deep roots in Putnam, and we have dedicated ourselves to public service of one sort or another. My son has been a volunteer firefighter in the Carmel Fire Department. I’m an active member of the Lake Carmel Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and I am a Eucharistic minister. I also have been a Homeowners’ Association board member and the founding chairperson of the founding chairperson of the Town of Kent Stormwater Management Committee. I know how volunteering and participation make our communities stronger. I want our county to run professionally and effectively, so our tax money works harder FOR ALL OF PUTNAM.

As with all families,COMMUNITY LEADER

While working in these complex governmental systems, I gained extensive management and policy development experience, and I became expert at identifying and administratively prosecuting malfeasance.

My time as an attorney in the 80s & 90s was spent in the New York City Departments of Health and Sanitation, investigating employee fraud and corruption. Then, for the Department of Correction, I headed the inmate disciplinary system at Rikers Island and other city jails when they were at their highest population and their most violent.

Was inspired early on from my experiences working with families struggling with poverty in a clinical program at Antioch Law School, now UDC. I also interned and was then hired by the National Labor Relations Board, which provided greater insight into the power of serving my community. Before earning my law degree, I graduated NYU with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in philosophy.

My career in public service

EXPERIENCED ATTORNEY

We sent our three children to Carmel public schools, and I too moved into education so I could be more available to my family. I earned teaching certifications in biology and elementary education and taught in Catholic and public schools.

My Husband Jim voluntarily enlisted in the Army during the Vietnam War. He recently retired from a career in investigations, specializing in financial fraud. We chose Putnam as the best place to raise our family, for its scenic beauty, safe communities and strong schools.

I’ve been married for 31 years.

MOTHER AND WIFE

As a collaborative leader, I welcome all residents to participate in their government. I have brought our unions to the table and successfully negotiated contracts with them. I declared Kent open for business, creating an environment in which sensible, low-impact commercial and industrial projects, now in the approvals process, will offset the tax burden of our residents.

Now in my thiNow in my third term, I have held Town taxes at 0% for 5 years straight and reduced our debt service by one-third. For years before I took office, the general fund was drawn down to simply balance the budget, and that’s not sustainable. I have used the general fund for capital projects like rebuilding our aging highway fleet, replacing recreation department vehicles, and making needed upgrades in our parks.

My deep frustration with my town’s mismanagement and unchecked spending led me to run for Town Supervisor in 2013. As a Democrat, I faced tough odds in a largely Republican town, but my experience and common sense approach earned 62% of the vote, and the support of neighbors of all political parties.

As a resident and taxpayer,

TOWN OF KENT SUPERVISOR

Paid for by Fleming for Putnam www.FlemingforPutnam.comVote Tuesday, November 6th

ELECT MAUREEN FLEMING COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Scary times at Mahopac High - Halston Media

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