DWI Arrest After Car Left In Snow Bank

From 390.com: On January 26, 2011, at 9:22 p.m., the New York State Police in Somers arrested OTTO LEITNER, 65 years of age from Somers, NY, with Driving While Intoxicated and Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated. Leitner was arrested after his vehicle was located off the roadway in a snow bank on State Route 100 in the Town of Somers and subsequent investigation revealed Leitner to be intoxicated with a BAC of .18%. Leitner was issued Uniform Traffic Tickets returnable to the Town of Somers Justice Court on January 31, 2011, at 5:30 p.m.

LINKS

http://the390.com/dwi-arrest-town-of-somers-2

Somers Land Trust Annual Meeting Is Sunday

The Somers Land Trust will hold its annual meeting on Sunday January 30 at 2 PM at the Elephant Hotel. The meeting is open to everyone who is interested in helping to preserve open space in Somers. Known primarily for its town-designated stewardship of Angle Fly Preserve, the Trust is committed to preserving open space across Somers, NY through stewardship and advocacy activities.

The meeting will include a brief illustrated introduction to the history of the land now know as the Angle Fly Preserve. Also on tap is a discussion about 2011 plans to complete the full 10-mile trail system in Angle Fly Preserve and build a 40-foot long foot bridge over the Angle Fly Brook.

For more information about the meeting, see the web site of the Somers Land Trust.

LINKS

http://www.somerslandtrust.org/upcomingevents


Lincoln Hall Names Another Somers Man To Its Board

Edward G. Angelini of Somers, NY has been elected to the Board of Managers of Lincoln Hall, President Douglas W. Wyatt announced on January 26. Lincoln Hall is a school for the treatment and rehabilitation of troubled or delinquent male teens located on Route 202 in Lincolndale, a hamlet in Somers, NY. It was the scene of a minor riot in December and the school has promised reforms.

President Wyatt also announced that John L. Corcoran of Yorktown Heights was also elected. Noting that Somers resident James Garrity is already a member of the Board, Wyatt said these “residents of the greater upper Westchester community will help us improve our perspective as good neighbors throughout the locality,”

Mr. Angelini is an associate general counsel of Purdue Pharma L.P. and resides in Baldwin Place with his wife and four children. He said:

The boys served by Lincoln Hall have few alternatives if they are to become productive members of society. For many of them, Lincoln Hall represents a last chance to get back on the right path. The continued success of this historic institution, therefore, ought to be a matter of importance to all of us, and I am proud for the opportunity to lend my professional and personal capabilities to its management.

The full text of the press release is set forth below.

For Immediate Release

January 26, 2011

TWO LOCAL RESIDENTS JOIN LINCOLN HALL BOARD

SOMERS, NY, Jan 26 – John L. Corcoran of Yorktown Heights and Edward G. Angelini of Baldwin Place have been elected to the Board of Managers of Lincoln Hall, President Douglas W. Wyatt, Esq. announced today.

“These two local residents join another Somers resident who is already a member of the Lincoln Hall Board, James L. Garrity, a former federal judge. Lincoln Hall will benefit greatly by these additions to our Board. Their professional qualifications will enhance our efficiency and efficacy in delivering services to the youngsters we serve. And, the fact that they are residents of the greater upper Westchester community will help us improve our perspective as good neighbors throughout the locality,” Mr. Wyatt said.

Mr. Corcoran is a partner in the Manhattan-based firm of Owen J. Flanagan & Co., Certified Public Accountants. He received his accounting degree from Iona College in New Rochelle, graduating with Honors in 1982. His specialty is in not-for-profit auditing and accounting. Mr. Corcoran is a long time resident of Yorktown Heights where he lives with his wife and two children and where he volunteers as a religious education teacher at St. Patrick’s Parish.

“I welcome the opportunity to participate in the important work of Lincoln Hall, which has helped change the lives of so many young men over nearly a century and a half. And, I am grateful for the honor of being called to serve,” Mr. Corcoran said.

Mr. Angelini is associate general counsel of Purdue Pharma L.P., a privately held pharmaceutical company based in Stamford, CT. He is a graduate of Amherst College and Boston University School of Law where he earned his J.D degree in 1993. Mr. Angelini resides in Baldwin Place with his wife and four children.

“The boys served by Lincoln Hall have few alternatives if they are to become productive members of society. For many of them, Lincoln Hall represents a last chance to get back on the right path. The continued success of this historic institution, therefore, ought to be a matter of importance to all of us, and I am proud for the opportunity to lend my professional and personal capabilities to its management,” said Mr. Angelini.

Lincoln Hall, founded in 1863, is a non-profit educational center providing residential and community services to troubled youths and their families.

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Somers Energy Expo - February 5

Heritage Hills Resident Charged In 2007 Burglary

New York State Police arrested Kevin Duffy of Heritage Hills in Somers, NY on the charge of burglary of the Blazer Pub in Purdys, NY in 2007. The three year investigation caught a break when Duffy provided a DNA sample to Connecticut officials after his conviction for larceny in February 2010. Late last year, the DNA data bank matched the 2010 sample with one found at the crime scene in 2007. Police made the arrest on Friday. Duffy, age 53, was arraigned in North Salem Court and is to reappear at there on January 31.

Read the complete story at the 390.com, DNA Submission Leads to Burglary Arrest of Somers Man.

LINKS

http://the390.com/dna-submission-leads-to-burglary-arrest-of-somers-man

Askren Wrestling Academy Opening Another Site

The Askren Wrestling Academy located in Somers, NY is opening another site, this one in a suburb of Milwaukee, WI.

Max Askren, a 2010 NCAA Champion, will continue to run the Academy in Somers. Coaches at the Askren Wrestling Academy - Wisconsin will be his brother 2008 US Olympian Ben Askren and the brothers' former high school wrestling coach John Mesenbrink.

The story in the January 20, 2011 in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is located here.

LINKS

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/preps/114320489.html

Imperial Wok To Reopen In Four Months

An accidental fire at the Imperial Wok Restaurant at the Heritage Hills Center in Somers, NY on January 16, 2011 caused serious damage. The building suffered structural damage and its kitchen destroyed. The plan is to repair and reopen in about four months.

Read the January 20, 2011 story at LoHud.com, Somers' fire-damaged Imperial Wok will take months to rebuild.

LINKS

http://www.lohud.com/article/20110120/NEWS02/101200373/Somers-fire-damaged-Imperial-Wok-will-take-months-to-rebuild

Somers Tax Preparer and CPA Charged With Criminal Tax Fraud

A certified public accountant who owns and operates several accounting and tax preparation businesses in Somers, NY, was charged recently with four felony counts of failing to file state personal income tax returns for six consecutive years.

Eric Fecci, 44, of 6 Elmer Galloway Road, Katonah, was arraigned January 19 on felony complaints in the Town of Somers Justice Court before Judge Denis J. Timone, said a press release issued on Wednesday by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.

Fecci operates the following businesses from 332 Route 100 in the Village of Somers: At Play Technologies, Inc.; Eric J. Fecci, CPA, PC; Fecci Consulting Group, Inc.; AllWriteUp.com, Inc.; and Somers Staffing, Inc.

The complete press release is here.

LINKS:

http://www.tax.ny.gov/press/rel/2011/fecci012011.htm

Fire At Imperial Wok Restaurant

Firefighters in Somers, NY battled an early morning fire that damaged the Imperial Wok Restaurant at the Heritage Hills Center on Jan. 16, 2011. Firefighters from three neighboring towns assisted.

View 26 photos at LoHud.com.

Teen's Death in Haiti Remembered; Her Mission Lives On

Stephanie Crispinelli, a teen from Somers, NY, was in Haiti helping orphans when she died in the earthquake on January 12, 2010. Support from the Somers community helped the family cope with the loss of the 19 year-old college sophomore. Her mission lives on through the Stephanie Crispinelli Humanitarian Fund. Her mother wrote this on the Facebook page of the organization set up in her honor.

My family and I cannot thank you enough for all your prayers, concern and compassion during that time of anxious waiting and over this past year. We are blessed to have so much support and prayer power! We have seen God work in amazing ways this year. Stephanie’s Mission is alive and well even though she isn’t physically here to participate. In one year, she has built “Steph’s Place”, a school in Race Course Jamaica accommodating eighty-seven children age 3-6 years old. She has provided J-term scholarships for three Lynn University students to go on mission trips similar to the ones that motivated Stephanie. She has provided a humanitarian intern project in Nicaragua for a Somers (NY) High School student. She has put a Steph’s Caring Bear into the arms of hundreds of hurting children in hospitals or traveling by ambulance or Angel Flight. She has provided medical relief for children in La Carpio, Nicaragua. Property has recently been acquired near “Steph’s Place” where she will build homes for three families. She will build another “Steph’s Place” school in Jamaica in May. All this and more has been done in one short year to honor and continue Stephanie’s mission of helping the poorest of the poor.

A related story is at LoHud.com, Somers family carries teen's mission of giving 1 year after quake in Haiti. The photo above is from that story.

LINKS

http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011101120337

http://www.facebook.com/notes/the-stephanie-crispinelli-humanitarian-fund/january-122011/143191199071221

Questions Raised About Widening Route 6 Near Somers Commons

Somers officials wary of Route 6 widening

From NCNLocal.com January 12, 2001

SOMERS - The widening of Route 6 to make way for a major development project is raising concerns among Somers residents and town officials.

Union Place, a commercial development proposed by Carmada Realty Investments of Carmel, a major developer in Putnam County, is planned for 300 acres across Route 6 from Somers Commons. The project involves several parcels, including Mahopac Farm and several residential properties.

The project is still going through a lengthy environmental review process through the Town of Carmel and is not expected to break ground for several years but it is already the subject of concern among Somers Supervisor Mary Beth Murphy and the town board, who discussed the proposal at their Jan. 6 meeting.

"One of the real concerns we have about the traffic analysis in the DEIS (draft environmental impact study) is that they were basically leaving much of the traffic mitigation to others, and that's a significant concern," Murphy said.

Murphy has requested a meeting with Carmel town officials, the Department of Transportation and the developer to further review the impact of the project.

Somers resident Jay Taylor, of Baldwin Place, told board members the widening of the road would be detrimental to the town and urged town officials to craft a resolution opposing it.

* * *

"There will be more traffic, noise and light pollution, more crime and litter for sure," Taylor said. "We have all these problems but no tax revenue for Somers or Westchester. For Putnam, Mahopac and Carmel it's a great deal - put an unsightly development on the far side of the county that impacts people who are not voters or taxpayers and benefit from property and sales tax."

* * *

Somers Students Donate Books

From the Yorktown Patch January 4, 2011

Somers Students Donate Books to Walden and Pines Bridge Schools

Children at the Pines Bridge and Walden schools at Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES giggled in delight as they swam in a sea of colorful picture books donated by Borders Books and Somers High School students on Wednesday, Dec. 22nd.

The STAT Club (Students Taking Action Today) at Somers High School collected new children's books including favorites like Curious George, Where the Wild Things Are, Madeline and Dr. Seuss and delivered them to children at the Pines Bridge and Walden Schools at BOCES in Yorktown. Borders Books in Mount Kisco generously donated 150 books for the effort.

STAT was originally formed by a few students at Somers High School who were committed to helping teens in a Nicaraguan Refugee Camp in Costa Rica. It has blossomed over time into one of the largest and busiest clubs at the high school, with students participating in all types of outreach including working in a Soup Kitchen in Peekskill, collecting prom dresses for students who cannot afford them and sending supplies to soldiers in Iraq.

Reiss Named To WLS Board Seat Representing Somers

Fr

WLS Appoints Local Author To Board Of Trustees

Tuesday, 04 January 2011 11:39 | | |

Tarrytown, NY - The Westchester Library System (WLS) recently named Alvin H. Reiss to the organization’s Board of Trustees. Reiss serves as the District IV representative covering Lewisboro (South Salem), North Salem, and Somers.

Reiss has pioneered in the arts and other non-profit areas as an educator, author, consultant, and program innovator. He has authored eight books including: The Reiss Source Directory of the Arts; CPR for Nonprofits; Don’t Just Applaud, Send Money; Cash In! Funding and Promoting the Arts; Culture & Company; among others. He is the editor and co-publisher of Arts Management, America’s first journal for arts administrators, co-published by the Association of Arts Administration Educators. Since 2003, he has written the monthly “Arts Agenda” column for Travel Weekly Magazine.

* * *

Reiss has been actively involved with the Somers Library since 2000; he has given a number of programs at Westchester libraries on marketing, funding, and non-profit management—including his own creation, “Songs by Skip,” a program of songs he wrote for musical comedies and revues.

Somers Manor Nursing Home Fined

The Somers Manor Nursing Home on Route 100 in Somers, NY was fined over $28,000 by the Federal Government in 2010 as well as being cited by the New York Department of Health.

According to the LoHud.com story of December 28 “3 nursing homes in area cited by state; another to close”:

Somers Manor, which is on Route 100 and has 300 beds, was found to have a widespread problem of failing to ensure its residents' "do-not-resuscitate" orders were being followed.

"It's clear that the staff of this facility doesn't know which residents have DNRs and which don't; and whether the resident has competency to make that decision," said Cynthia Rudder, director of special projects of the Long-Term Care Community Coalition. "This clearly puts their residents at risk. Some will not be resuscitated when they want to be and others might be put through painful procedures when they don't want to. This is a life-or-death situation."

Officials from Somers Manor did not return calls seeking comment.

The Federal civil fine is reported in the Long Term Care Community Coalition’s Winter 2010 newsletter. The details of the DNR deficiency citation of March 24, 2010 are available at the NYS Department of Health under the Nursing Home Profile for the Somers Manor Nursing Home.

LINKS

http://www.LoHud.com/article/20101228/NEWS01/12280322/3-nursing-homes-in-area-cited-by-state-another-to-close

http://www.ltccc.org/newsletter/documents/ltccc_winter1010_web.pdf

http://nursinghomes.nyhealth.gov/nursing_homes/deficiency/360/4YC6

Somers Company Acquires Structured Settlement Firm

MangoSoft, Inc.(MGOF:OTC BB) a company based in Somers, NY and led by Dennis Goett recently announced the acquisition of Structured Settlement Investments, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership that originates, purchases and resells structured settlements from beneficiaries of insurance, litigation and lottery awards.

In January 2010, Mangosoft moved its chief executive offices to Somers, NY, added Goett to the Board of Directors, and discontinued its business of developing and supporting internet business software. Its current business strategy is enter into business partnerships in which its “intellectual property will provide opportunity for profitability.”

The December 27 Marketwire press release MangoSoft Acquires Structured Settlement Firm is located here.

Town Board To Discuss Library’s Elimination of Sunday Hours

A regular work session of the Town Board of Somers, NY is scheduled for January 6. Among the agenda items is a discussion about the Library’s “unilateral elimination of Sunday hours.” As posted here on December 12th, the Town Board questioned whether elimination of Sunday hours was the best response to no increase in the Library’s budget for 2011.

The full agenda for the meeting is located here.