Miss Anything? This Week in Review

A local stance on the much debated soda tax, backlash by the police union against the town board and a rally by a group of students at Manhattanville College were only a few of the big news stories out of Harrison this week.

The week started off with a call from Harrison Mayor/Supervisor Joan Walsh for residents to stand against the proposed soda tax in New York State. Walsh told the Harrison Patch this week that the tax, expected to promote healthy drinking habits as well as create a new stream of revenue for the struggling state economy, might influence PepsiCo to move away from its current location in Purchase. Although PepsiCo has not threatened to leave if the bill is passed, the loss of the large commercial building would put a huge dent in the town's property tax revenue.

On Thursday hundreds of students at Manhattanville College held up signs and chanted outside the school's main entrance on Purchase Street. The students were protesting against changes made by their administration and said that they are sick of not being listened to by leaders at their college. The students protested for about three hours before marching through the center of their campus.

An attorney who represent the Harrison Police Union (PBA) told the town board that the union will react with swift legal action if the board approves a new position that will report the actions of the police to the town board. The new position, approved by the board in March, was designed to improve communications with the town board and police under the supervision of newly appointed Chief Anthony Marraccini.

In lighter news, on Wednesday the Harrison Patch covered the birthday of a retired school teacher who lives in Harrison. Mildred Lemos turned 103 on Wednesday, she was visited the afternoon before her birthday by the Harrison police chief who she taught as a second grader at a local elementary school. Lemos shared some stories about what it has been like living in Harrison for all these years as well as some ways that the local community goes out of its way to help her on a daily basis.

We also heard some clarification about the new water rate increase that has gone into effect in Harrison. Walsh explained that the average increase in water rates will be much lower than originally presented because the overall town average includes large commercial buildings and golf courses that consume much more water than the average home. Walsh said that she estimates the average annual increase for homes to go up between $72 and $112 per year as a result of the 28 percent increase.

In school news, Harrison Board of Education candidates Naomi Oppmann and Jason Schechter shared their thoughts about the future of Harrison's school district at a debate hosted by the League of Woman Voters. The debate lasted about an hour and was a good opportunities for voters to gain an understanding about the candidates and where they stand on key issues going into the May 18 vote.

We also covered the success of Harrison's brand new debate team, which was honored for its accomplishments this year. The team consists of several high school students and has become a great opportunity for children to learn public speaking skills as well as how to take a stand on key issues.

This week's Harrison Patch athlete of the week was Zach Eklund. The previous week the Harrison senior pitcher threw a great game against Keio Academy in a crosstown high school baseball rivalry. Harrison won the game bringing their record at the time back to the .500 mark.

In other sports news the varsity baseball team lost a tough game to Nyack 4 - 3 on Tuesday night, while the softball team knocked off Somers in an exciting game that same day. Later in the week the girls lacrosse team won a thrilling matchup with Briarcliff.

Standout Harrison athlete Dennis Rinaldi has also signed a letter of intent to play both football and basketball at Western New England.

On Saturday the Harrison Central School District hosted a fundraiser to raise money for autism awareness.

We look forward to bringing you all of Harrison's news again next week.