Dec. 31, 2014: Happy New Year! MyhometownBronxville welcomes 2015 by taking a look back one last time at some of the most significant stories of 2014. The year brought some welcome changes, some that proved challenging, and others that will be ongoing in what we hope is a happy and prosperous 2015.

The following are excerpts from ten of the most popular stories of 2014. Click on the headlines for links to the full stories. A future issue will have an article about the major sports stories of 2014.

Bronxville High School Seniors to Attend Impressive Array of Universities and Colleges Next Fall

Written by Staff

Jul. 2, 2014: Members of the Bronxville High School Class of 2014 will be attending an impressive array of outstanding colleges next fall.

After many months completing applications and tense waiting, they have made their decisions and have sent their acceptances to colleges and universities throughout the country.

The list of colleges includes the very best of all types of schools from large universities to small liberal arts colleges in every area of the country, from the University of Portland on the West Coast, to Marquette University in the heartland, to the Georgia Institute of Technology in the Deep South, to Northwestern University in the Midwest, to Georgetown and MIT in the East. Among the Ivy Leagues, Bronxville students will be attending Brown (1), Cornell (4), Dartmouth (2), Harvard (2), Princeton (1), University of Pennsylvania (1), and Yale (1).

Hospital Gala Raises Over $1.1 Million

Written by Rosanne Alonzi, NewYork-Presbyterian/Lawrence Hospital

Dec. 10, 2014: An historic chapter in NewYork-Presbyterian/Lawrence Hospital's 105-year history culminated with a grand gala celebrated at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City on Friday, November 14!  Dr. Mehmet Oz kicked off the evening's festivities and discussed the importance of a community hospital and the significance of Lawrence's integration with NewYork-Presbyterian.

With co-chairs Christine and John Fitzgibbons, Jane and Roger Goodell, and Andre and Michael Koester and junior chairs Catherine and Matt Williams at the helm of the benefit committee, the results of the fundraiser were nothing short of extraordinary, with over $1.1 million raised.

Outsize Plans for Masterton Road Property Concern Neighbors and Residents

Written by Carol P. Bartold

Feb. 12, 2014: The removal of several mature trees at 50 Masterton Road, located at the corner of Pondfield Road and Masterton, drew first notice and then ire from Bronxville residents.

Then, when neighbors of the property received notification of a zoning variance hearing, several decided to attend the January 28 Bronxville Zoning Board of Appeals meeting to learn about plans for the property.

The owners of the property, James and Tracy Murray, intend to demolish the existing one-family dwelling and build a new three-story residence. In a letter from Vincent Pici, superintendent of buildings, to the Murrays dated November 20, 2013, he states that the plans for the property are out of compliance with three sections of the village code.

Colleges Send Early Admission Acceptances to Bronxville Seniors

Written by Carol P. Bartold

Feb. 5, 2014: Perseverance and patience paid off for Bronxville High School seniors filling out college applications in the fall, although not without some technical difficulties.

According to Anne Abbatecola, director of counseling at the high school, a new version of the Common Application designed to streamline the process created, instead, serious problems--so serious that some colleges responded by extending application deadlines. The Common Application provides a standardized first-year application form that students can use to apply to over 500 public and private colleges and universities.

Bronxville Resident Charged with Fraud for Misleading Investors

Written by Staff

Nov. 5, 2014: According to an article appearing in the October 31 edition of the Journal News, Bronxville resident Gregory Rorke was arrested at his home on Friday, October 31, on federal fraud charges for misleading investors about his software company, Navagate Inc.

The article reports that, according to federal authorities, in the process of raising $3 million for his software company, Mr. Rorke told more than 30 investors "that he had at least $12 million in assets with which he could repay them. In reality, most of the money didn't belong to him, authorities said."

The Journal News quotes US attorney Preet Bharara saying, "'As alleged, Gregory Rorke grossly misrepresented his character and financial stability to investors, whom he then defrauded of millions of dollars.'"

Bronxville High School 'Unranked' by 'U.S. News & World Report' 2014

Written by Carol P. Bartold

May 7, 2014: Despite earning top national and state rankings in previous annual surveys of high schools, Bronxville High School was designated "unranked" by U.S. News & World Report in its "2014 Best High Schools Rankings."

Bronxville superintendent Dr. David Quattrone explained that one of criteria used by U.S. News & World Report is the New York State Comprehensive English Regents Examination. Most Bronxville High School seniors, however, sit for the Advanced Placement (AP) English Language exam rather than the Regents exam.

Based on Bronxville's results in the AP English Language exam, the survey deemed 100 percent of Bronxville students proficient in English.

Casino to Be Added to Kensington Road Development

Written by Peter G. Clifford

Apr. 1, 2014: In a transformative change to the new Kensington Road development, a casino is now being incorporated into the plans. The story about how this came to be and why it was necessary is a tale of anthropology, archaeology, and an obscure provision in the laws governing New York State gaming. 

On the stone wall at the corner of Pondfield and Valley Roads there is a plaque that commemorates the deeding over of land that now constitutes Eastchester from Chief Gramatan of the Mohican tribe to the colonists in 1666. Three hundred and forty-eight years later, the presence of that tribe in Bronxville has come back to play a major role in bringing a major casino to a small Westchester village. 

. . . Happy April Fool's Day!

Last-Minute Write-In for Bronxville School Board Candidate Changes Election Dynamics

Written by Carol P. Bartold

May 21, 2014: Despite a grassroots campaign for Bronxville Board of Education trustee that advanced write-in candidate Mariellen Carpenter's challenge to Non-Partisan Committee candidate Dr. Mary Giuffra, Bronxville voters affirmed Giuffra with 399 votes and fellow committee candidate Adele Murray with 622 votes. Carpenter's supporters waged an email and word-of-mouth effort that also included a Facebook page supporting her candidacy. Carpenter received 280 votes.

Murray and Giuffra will succeed outgoing trustees Dr. James Hudson and Pierre de Saint Phalle at the July board of education reorganization meeting.

Burglary in Bronxville Last Thursday, September 4

Written by Staff

Sep. 10, 2014: Bronxville Police Chief Christopher Satriale reported that a burglary occurred overnight in Bronxville on Village Lane on Thursday, September 4. Entry into the residence was made via an unlocked door.

Items stolen were:

1. A Mini Cooper convertible (stolen from the driveway)
2. An Apple iMac computer
3. An Apple iPad mini
4. An Apple iPhone 4
5. An Apple iPod touch
6. $200 in currency

The vehicle was recovered the same day in the Bronx.

Crash on Masterton Road Turns Car into Fireball but Driver Escapes

Written by Staff

Feb. 26, 2014: Icy weather conditions and not drunk driving were the probable cause of a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee's striking a utility pole on Masterton Road near Pondfield Road at around 2:15 am last Friday, February 21. The driver was Bronxville resident Edward T. Boehlke, age 27.

According to the Bronxville police report, "Edward Boehlke called to report that he had just struck a pole at the corner of Masterton Road and Pondfield Road and this vehicle was on fire."

The Eastchester Fire Department was dispatched immediately, as were Bronxville police officers Cheryl Jarosz and Martin Dentini. Sgt. Banks of the Tuckahoe Police Department was there to assist, as was Sgt. Flood from the Eastchester Police Department.