All Entries in the "The Examiner" Category
Community Rallies in Attempt to Save Job of Popular Chappaqua Teacher
By Janine Bowen With staff cuts looming in the Chappaqua School District’s proposed budget for 2014-15, dozens of students and parents at last week’s board of education meeting advocated that officials keep one important teacher on the payroll. Mike DiBellis is the technology teacher at Seven Bridges Middle School as well as the wrestling coach […]
Former North Castle Employee Proposes Ward System for Town
A former longtime North Castle employee is planning a petition drive to place a proposition on the November ballot asking voters to decide whether the town should switch to a ward system of government. Anthony Futia, the town’s ex-water and sewer superintendent and lifelong North White Plains resident, said he expects to gather enough valid […]
New Castle Councilman Fends Off Conflict of Interest Charges
Suggestions that New Castle Councilman and Master Plan Steering Committee member nominee Adam Brodsky has a potential conflict of interest were raised last week because Brodsky’s in-laws own land in downtown Chappaqua. The issue was introduced by Councilman Jason Chapin during the town board’s Feb. 25 work session, which preceded the regular board meeting, and featured an update […]
Area Merchants Ready for Spring After Winter of Discontent
It would be no surprise to learn a majority of area residents are weary from the snow and cold and eagerly await spring. That presumed sentiment is certainly felt among many area merchants, who with few exceptions, would love to turn the page on January and February and leave the parade of storms and bone-chilling […]
Kerry Kennedy Acquitted of Impaired Driving Charge (Video)
By Tom Auchterlonie A jury found Kerry Kennedy not guilty Friday morning of an impaired driving charge. Shortly after the verdict was announced, Kennedy was one of multiple people in the courtroom who engaged in applause. The six-member jury’s verdict came less than a hour after the trial entered its fifth. Kennedy, a daughter of the […]
Jury Starts Deliberation in Kerry Kennedy Trial; Friday Verdict Possible
By Tom Auchterlonie The jury for Kerry Kennedy’s drugged driving trial began deliberation Thursday afternoon and could reach a verdict on Friday. Court is scheduled to reconvene Friday at 9:30 a.m. at the Westchester County courthouse in White Plains. Deliberation started after closing statements and testimony from Dr. David Benjamin, the last witness of the […]
Kerry Kennedy Testifies, Had ‘No Memory’ of I-684 Drive
By Tom Auchterlonie Testifying on the third day of her trial for alleged impaired driving in July 2012, Kerry Kennedy was unaware that she had been in an accident. Kennedy, a daughter of the late Sen. Robert Kennedy, explained that she had “no memory” from the time she entered I-684 until her vehicle stopped in […]
No. Castle Historical Society Welcomes Return of Armonk Antiques Show
One of the many casualties of the 2008 economic downturn was the suspension of the North Castle Historical Society’s Armonk Antiques Show. A key fundraiser for the organization for 30 years, when the market cratered, that spelled the end of the show–until now. This weekend the New Armonk Antiques Show will get a fresh start […]
Trooper: Kerry Kennedy Didn’t Appear Impaired While Tested
By Tom Auchterlonie The second day of Kerry Kennedy’s trial for alleged impaired driving included the testimony of her younger sister, Rory Kennedy, and a New York State trooper who administered alcohol and drug tests. Rory Kennedy, a documentary filmmaker, spoke as a character witness on her behalf, noting about her background and her “stellar […]
Kerry Kennedy Lawyer Calls Sleeping Pill ‘a Mistake’ in Opening Day of Trial
The drugged driving trial of Kerry Kennedy began in Westchester County Court in White Plains Monday with the prosecution and defense agreeing that she had been driving in North Castle under the influence of a sleeping pill. However, while the prosecution argued that the daughter of the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy wrongly continued driving […]
Astorino Expected to Announce Decision Soon on Governor’s Run
Rob Astorino barely had time to enjoy his resounding re-election as Westchester County executive in November when speculation almost immediately began to swirl about the Republican’s potential run for governor. That decision will apparently be announced as soon as the end of this week. Bill O’Reilly, a campaign spokesman for Astorino, said a decision could […]
Kennedy Trial to Start Monday Following Completion of Jury Selection
Jury selection was completed this week for the driving while ability impaired trial of Kerry Kennedy, which is scheduled to begin with opening statements in county court in White Plains on Monday. A jury consisting of four men and two women was empanelled by Judge Robert Neary following a day-long session on Thursday. Two alternates […]
New Tappan Zee Bridge to Be Open to Traffic By 2016
By Janine Bowen A special adviser to Gov. Andrew Cuomo on the New Tappan Zee Bridge project told a crowd in Greenburgh on Wednesday that traffic could start to use the first of two new spans as early as 2016. Brian Conybeare, speaking in a forum at the Greenburgh Public Library hosted by the Westchester branch […]
Aesthetics, Driveway Mulled for Mt. Kisco Senior Housing Plan
By Tom Auchterlonie: The type of materials and the fate of a secondary access drive for The Hearth at Mount Kisco came under scrutiny from planning board members during a meeting on Feb. 11. Members were skeptical about the use of vinyl siding for the 129-unit senior housing structure. One of the critics, Stanley Bernstein, likened […]
Former Pleasantville Resident Makes It Big on “Jeopardy!”
By Janine Bowen Imagine Alex Trebek reading the following clue: A former Pleasantville resident who has won nearly $200,000 on “Jeopardy!” in multiple appearances during the past two decades. The correct answer: Who is Leszek Pawlowicz? Pawlowicz, 56, who lived in Pleasantville from 1960 until he left for college in 1975, is one of the […]
North Castle to Tackle Downtown Armonk Parking Crunch
North Castle officials plan to explore several options to increase parking in downtown Armonk to alleviate the growing demand for spaces in the heart of the hamlet’s business district. Last week the town board rekindled discussion about the possibility of converting about an acre of municipal property across the brook at the end of Kent […]
Berard, Lord to Run Uncontested in March P’ville Village Elections
By Janine Bowen Next month’s Pleasantville Village Board election will be an uncontested race as an incumbent and a political newcomer will team up to fill the two seats. Two-term Trustee Mindy Berard and first-timer Steven Lord were the only candidates to submit petitions by Tuesday’s deadline to appear on the March 18 ballot. Both […]
Developer, Town Discuss Revised Chappaqua Crossing Plans
Discussions about a revised development plan for the former Reader’s Digest property continue to evolve as New Castle officials and representatives for Chappaqua Crossing developer Summit/Greenfield search for a solution to move the stalemated project forward. Last Tuesday night, the New Castle Planning Board and the Town Board discussed issues related to the 116-acre parcel […]
Board of Regents Makes Changes to Common Core Implementation
By Janine Bowen Following a torrent of criticism, the state Board of Regents announced Monday that it will adopt a series of measures to adjust the implementation of the Common Core Standards. The changes passed two committees and are scheduled to be voted on the by the full board today (Tuesday). ‘We are absolutely committed […]
Parking, Landscaping Concerns Over New Armonk Park Proposals
Four variations of a plan to bring recreation space to an open town-owned parcel in downtown Armonk were unveiled to the public last week, but key decisions await on location of parking and landscape design. The North Castle Parks & Recreation Advisory Board entertained comments from residents at its Feb. 4 meeting on the plans […]
Local State Lawmakers Call for Moratorium on Common Core Implementation
By Janine Bowen Local legislators appear to finally be listening to concerned parents and teachers when it comes to problems plaguing the Common Core standards. On Tuesday, legislators across the state in both parties requested a two-year delay in using Common Core testing to evaluate students and teachers. Several Westchester legislators are among those who […]
Pace Receives $98M in LDC Funding for Consolidation Project
By Janine Bowen The Board of Local Development Corporation voted unanimously on Thursday to grant Pace University $98 million in tax-exempt bonds to pay for the bulk of renovations at the Pleasantville campus. Most of the money will go toward construction of student residences and athletic facilities as part of a project approved last summer […]
Committee Proposes P’ville Ordinance to Ban Plastic Bags
By Janine Bowen Single-use plastic bags could soon be discontinued in Pleasantville businesses. PleasantvilleRecycles, a local committee committed to helping educate the public about recycling, has asked the village board to consider an ordinance to prohibit plastic bags and replace them with paper bags. It would also encourage shoppers to bring their own reusable bags […]
Barbershop Chorus Gives New Option for Valentine’s Day Gift
If you don’t know what to get that special someone for Valentine’s Day, the Westchester Chordsmen have an idea for you. Quartets from the barbershop chorus will make the rounds to homes, offices, hospitals and businesses throughout Westchester and Putnam counties on Thursday, Feb. 13 and Friday, Feb. 14 to surprise recipients with singing valentines. […]
Union, Ex-Employees Picket Mrs. Green’s Mt. Kisco Store After Firings
Nine workers fired last month from Mrs. Green’s Natural Markets in Mount Kisco and organizers from the United Food and Commercial Workers union have continued to picket outside the store to protest the company’s unfair labor practices. The workers, all closely involved in scheduling a union election to join Local 1500 last May, were let […]
Proposed New Castle Hotel, Condos Trigger Environmental Concerns
Residents neighboring a 98-acre parcel in New Castle where a mixed use development has been proposed warned town officials last week of numerous environmental and quality-of-life issues that could arise if the project is approved. The Jan. 28 scoping session at town hall for The Spa at New Castle, the first formal public forum in […]
Mt. Pleasant Schedules Public Hearing for NY Medical College Permit
The Mount Pleasant Town Board has scheduled a public hearing for later this month on New York Medical College’s proposal to renovate a former commercial building that would increase instructional space and offices. On Tuesday the board voted unanimously to set the public hearing for Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 8 p.m. The college is seeking […]
Pleasantville School Officials Blast Cuomo’s Tax Freeze Proposal
By Janine Bowen The Pleasantville Board of Education has scheduled a special board meeting for next Tuesday to discuss Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s tax freeze proposal that could change the way school budgets are constructed across the state. The proposal aims to enact a two-year property tax freeze that comes with certain conditions attached and must be […]
Mount Pleasant Appoints 25-Year Police Veteran Acting Chief
The Mount Pleasant Town Board unanimously appointed 25-year police veteran Paul Oliva Jr. acting chief Tuesday night. Oliva, a Valhalla resident, replaces Brian Fanelli, who was suspended following his arrest last week for allegedly downloading and possessing child pornography. Prior to the town board’s vote, Supervisor Joan Maybury said that Tuesday was “an important evening for the Town […]
Ex-No. Castle Comptroller Files Notice of Claim Against Administrator, Town
Another notice of claim was filed with the Town of North Castle on Monday stemming from allegations that Town Administrator Joan Goldberg “bullied, tormented and discriminated” against former comptroller Faith Berland. The claim, the second in 11 days to be submitted to the town as a result of supposed actions by the town administrator, charges that Goldberg routinely […]
