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On The Record: They're off to the Races
Election season is already heating up in Rye
Good morning subscribers. ☕This is your Wednesday, March 19, Rye Record newsletter, curating some of the latest headlines across the city of Rye.
Today’s Weather Channel local forecast calls for a high of 60 degrees and mostly sunny skies, so get outdoors! ☀️ Check out the forecast for the rest of the week here.
On with the show! It was the worst kept secret in town. Republican City Councilman Bill Henderson officially announced his candidacy for mayor on Saturday — ending months of speculation.
Henderson, 66, will top a GOP ticket that includes running mates James Fee, Robin Thrush Jovanovich, and Maria Tufvesson Shuck.
“I believe I am best positioned to lead the Rye City Council for the next four years,” he said. “I believe that I can best bring the council together.… That is why I am running.”
The move sets up a matchup with fellow Councilman Josh Nathan, a Democrat who launched his own mayoral run last month, and independent candidate Rick McCabe.
In announcing his plans, Henderson — a critic of incumbent Mayor Josh Cohn — emphasized the need for civility in city government, echoing a platform he ran on in 2021 when he was first elected to the City Council.
“The Council works best when there is civility, robust debate, and diversity of viewpoints,” the first-term councilman said. “Our local government must use common sense, be humble, and respect our citizens’ rights and liberties.”
His decision to run for mayor isn’t without risk. He is opting against seeking reelection to his council seat — a likely easier road for the incumbent.
If he loses, Henderson is out of office in January. (Nathan’s council term isn’t up until 2027.)
But November success could have far-reaching effects for city Republicans. If the party picks up three seats, it will take majority control of the City Council for the first time in a decade — dating back to the final days of ex-mayor Joe Sack’s administration in 2016.
To read the full article, click here
Republican Councilman Bill Henderson has finally put the rumors to rest, announcing he will seek the mayor’s seat this November.
-Today’s newsletter is curated by Christian Falcone
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IN OTHER NEWS
Trailblazer. Former Congresswoman Nita Lowey, who represented Westchester for decades, and served as the first woman to lead the Appropriations Committee, passed away Saturday at her Harrison home after battling breast cancer. -Rosie Newmark
Sticking around. The Westchester Children’s Museum named a familiar face — Eric Byrne, the outgoing Rye City schools superintendent — as one of three new museum trustees. Byrne, of Norwalk, Conn., serves on the Children’s Museum’s Exhibit and Education and Audit committees. -Record staff
Singing the blues. A registered sex offender was arrested after attacking a Rye resident inside his home Friday. Patrick Antonio Colon-Craig of New Rochelle — the 35-year-old son of salsa icon Willie Colon — was nabbed by police after allegedly getting into a physical altercation with a man inside the man’s Midland Avenue home. -Rosie Newmark
AROUND TOWN
-Run for cover — it’s “America’s Worst Mom.” Lenore Skenazy, founder of the Free-Range Kids movement, and former “worst mom in America” was at the Rye Free Reading Room to talk about easing the anxiety of raising children.
-Doug Mello, 82, passed away on March 10, after a short illness. A longtime executive with the former New York Telephone Company, Mello was also the founder of the Christopher Mello Foundation, a nonprofit that awards two scholarships annually in his late son’s name to senior football players from Rye and Harrison high schools.
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BUSINESS & ORGS
After more than 90 years in business, Belluscio’s Restaurant on Midland Avenue is set to close.
After nearly a century in business, Belluscio’s Restaurant — a beloved dining spot for generations of Rye residents — is closing its doors and will reopen as Sumak, a Peruvian eatery.
The historic property has been purchased by Teofilo Matias Huyhua, a food industry veteran with nearly three decades of culinary experience, including supervising at Rye’s Tiki Bar. A former Rye resident, he recently moved to Port Chester.
Huyhua, a first-time restaurant owner, has pledged to honor the building’s historic significance.
-by Erin McAward
H&L Contracting filed litigation in Westchester County Supreme Court over its 2023 dredging contract with the city.
CITY
The contractor tapped to lead the dredging of the Rye marina is now suing the city, alleging delays in the $3.3 million project due to the city’s failure to secure a disposal contract.
H&L Contracting, a Long Island-based company hired by the city in October 2022 to dredge the marina, was prohibited from starting the project on time until the city had authorized a way to dispose of the dredged material causing cost overruns, according to a lawsuit filed on Jan. 9 in Westchester County Supreme Court.
-by Rosie Newmark
SPORTS
Coach Margo Hackett and the Rye girls' season ended in Saturday's Regional final against No. 1-ranked Baldwin.
The Lady Bruins (21-2) showed why they’re the state’s No. 1-ranked team in Class AA, ending Rye’s season with a 49-33 win in the Regional championship game Saturday at Yorktown.
Baldwin senior guard Payton Dulin led all scorers with 22 points, sending her team to the state tournament semifinals next weekend in Troy. The George Washington University-commit was the focal point of Baldwin’s dominant second-half offensive scheme, and was simply more than Rye (21-4) could handle.
-by Steven Kearney
Rick McCabe has thrown his hat in the ring for mayor setting up a three-way race with Democrat Josh Nathan and Republican Bill Henderson.
POLITICS
In a stunning move, Rick McCabe — a onetime Republican City Council candidate — is now looking to buck the party establishment with an independent run for mayor.
McCabe, 52, was thought to be preparing for another council run on the GOP ticket, but instead is seeking the city’s top elected seat on his own, he told The Record this month before officially launching his campaign.
That decision, he said, was finalized in mid-February. He will look to play spoiler in a three-way race against Democrat Josh Nathan and Republican Bill Henderson.
“I know it’s a long shot, but I think it’s a shot worth taking,” he said.
-by Christian Falcone and Camille Botello