Hen Island The Movie Cast List
Rye City Councilman (Ind) 2006-2010, a member of former Rye Democratic Mayor Steve Otis’s council majority voting bloc, defeated for reelection in 2009 as a result of Rye government controversies including Hen Island, Schubert’s Wetland Destruction and runaway tax increases and city spending, particularly legal fees – paid to Rye City Corporation Counsel. An advertising executive by background, Mr. Ball is a Rye native and son of a former Rye City Councilman.
Rye City Councilman (D) 2006 -2009, a member of former Rye Democratic Mayor Steve Otis’s council majority voting bloc. Mr. Cunningham did not seek reelection in 2009 subsequent to numerous Rye government controversies including Hen Island, Schubert’s Wetland Destruction and runaway tax increases and city spending, particularly legal fees – paid to Rye City Corporation Counsel. A Rye native he is now Chairman of the Rye Golf Commission.
“One issue that gets more than its fair share of attention is Hen Island. The agenda of a disgruntled shareholder who is not a Rye resident, cloaked in a veil of purported concern for the environment, has had more than enough air time”
Rye City Councilwoman (D) 2008 – 2011 is a resident of Rye’s Greenhaven section that is 450 feet from Hen Island offshore. Ms. Gamache was one of Mayor Steve Otis’s most silent but reliable voting bloc members, who defended the city’s position on controversies such as Schubert’s Destroyed Wetlands, Hen Island and soaring city hall spending. After Mr. Otis’s defeat in the 2009 election, Ms. Gamache transitioned into a loyal albeit more outspoken supporter of republican Mayor Douglas French, was soon rewarded with a Deputy Mayoral appointment for her reliable party line voting pattern.
Ms. Gamache claimed repeatedly that Hen Island was a fictional environmental crisis claiming in a pre-election interview that it was the “one issue that gets more than its fair share of attention … the agenda of a disgruntled shareholder who is not a Rye resident, cloaked in a veil of purported concern for the environment, has had more than enough air time.” Ms. Gamache was soundly defeated for reelection signaling increasing voter awareness and intolerance for crony business as usual at Rye City Hall. (Catherine Parker, who likewise ran for reelection with Ms. Gamache, won reelection over an unknown candidate by literally a handful of votes.) Ms. Gamache is a financial industry consultant.
“One of my goals certainly is always to see whether or not we can eliminate some of the overlap that goes on in the state of New York, and as far as Hen Island is concerned, my view is this is a county responsibility. I don’t want duplication.”
Rye City Councilman (R) 2010 -2013 defeated for election for Mayor in 2013 after being dropped by the Republican Party due to his unwavering support for Ex-Mayor Douglas French who was discovered to own an illegally converted and improved rental house in Rye with a STAR property tax exemption, a felony in New York State for which he was not charged.
Mr. Jovanovich actively stonewalled all investigations and remediations for Hen Island, in addition to other municipal controversies. Mr. Jovanovich is a retired publishing industry executive, and husband of the Rye Record newspaper owner and publisher Robin Jovanovich. His influence over the local media became apparent soon after his election to the Rye City Council, through the selectively biased and negative press coverage of the Hen Island issue.
“Mr. Tartaglione concocted this idea about the mosquitos and the feces and everything else.”
Rye City Councilman (Ind) 2010 -2013 an unwavering supporter of Ex-Mayor Douglas French who was discovered to own an illegally converted and improved rental house in Rye with a STAR property tax exemption, a felony in New York State for which he was not charged.
Mr. Filippi actively stonewalled all investigations and remediations for Hen Island, Schubert’s Destroyed Wetlands and other municipal controversies. Pertaining to Hen Island, Mr. Filippi, from the Council dais during a public meeting, denounced Mr. Tartaglione and his public awareness campaign, stating, “Mr. Tartaglione concocted this idea about the mosquitos and the feces and everything else.”
Mr. Filippi chose not to seek re-election in 2013. He works professionally as a financial industry consultant.
Rye City Councilwoman (R) 2010 -2012, who served 30 months before moving to Texas soon after being defeated for election to the Westchester County Board of Legislators.
Ms. Keith was an unwavering supporter of Ex-Mayor Douglas French who was discovered to own an illegally converted and improved rental house in Rye with a STAR property tax exemption, a felony in New York State for which he was not charged. Ms. Keith actively stonewalled all investigations and remediations for Hen Island, Schubert’s Destroyed Wetlands and other municipal controversies. Ms. Keith is a financial industry consultant.
Rye City Council member since 2012, Laura Brett is the current Deputy Mayor. While Ms. Brett has visited Hen Island she has yet to come forward making the cleanup of Hen Island a priority. In 2012, City manager Scott Pickup attempted to conceal positive West Nile Virus test results taken by Westchester County Heath Department officials on Hen Island. Mr. Pickup’s efforts failed after being exposed publically by Ray Tartaglione at the Rye City Council meeting.
In an effort to calm fears, Councilwoman Brett proclaimed, “there are no reported cases of West Nile Virus in humans in Westchester County as of this summer.” Unfortunately, two weeks later there were three reported cases within five miles of Hen Island.
“They figure they can wait out Ray [Tartaglione] and eventually he’ll disappear. They don’t realize he’s a sleeping giant.”
Phil Butacci was the actor happy to wear the Mr. Floatie costume in all events, including HEALtheHARBOR.com videos and Rye City Council meetings. Phil, a long time amateur comedian and band member, was also the solo vocal artist in the Mr. Floatie parody songs. Phil’s wife Laura served Mr. Floatie’s handler, guiding the 8 foot tall costume, which was difficult to maneuver and had limited sight range.
The Floatie costume was equipped with a battery operated fan installed in the hat to keep Phil cool during his many hours of sitting at City Council meetings.
Mr. Butacci was commissioned by President Ronald Reagan in 1980 as an aviation structural mechanic aboard the USS Ranger- a 5,000 man U.S. Naval Air Craft Carrier. After his first week aboard, while traveling across the Indian Ocean, Phil was blown overboard by an extremely strong gust of wind as he stood duty on the fan tail deck. With the threat of shark attacks in the shark infested waters, Phil was swiftly rescued by the Navy Seal Helicopter Unit as fellow shipmates shot at the dozens of sharks from the flight deck.
Phil now lives happily at home in New Rochelle New York with his wife Laura. He has been a devoted member of the Music Ministry at the Calvary Center Church since 1976.
“Anybody with a brain would know there’s something behind the scenes that they don’t want to tell the taxpayers”
A native of Rye, Mr. Carroll attended Rye’s Milton and Rye High schools. A resident of Milton Point with a home along the shores of the Long Island Sound, Mr. Carroll is a lifelong member of American Yacht Club which is located 500 feet from Hen Island’s East Shores.
Mr. Carroll became concerned with the health and safety conditions on Hen Island due to the close proximity of his home. After witnessing similarities between an issue involving his neighbor Bob Schubert, and Hen Island, Mr. Carroll became suspicious of the Rye City Council, their lack of code enforcement, and the concealment of public records related to both matters. Mr. Carroll has since advocated for good governments practices across numerous controversial issues.
Mr. Carroll has been a media industry private equity principal for 30 years. Mr. Carroll has originated successful investments in multiple industry sectors, including database companies, broadcasting, professional publishing and newspapers. Mr. Carroll graduated from Georgetown University and is also a Certified Public Accountant.
“I couldn’t wait to get off the island. I left with countless bites, and the impression that warnings about West Nile Virus and mosquito prevention had somehow failed to travel to Hen Island, with its horse troughs of standing water and peculiar smells.”
Suzy Allman is a professional photographer in the New York area for The New York Times, Sports Illustrated and other national media. Founder of Charlie Dog and Friends, involved in animal shelter adoption and animal rescue success stories.
Suzy Allman is a professional photographer in the New York area for The New York Times, Sports Illustrated and other national media. She is the Founder of Charlie Dog and Friends, involved in animal shelter adoption and animal rescue success stories.
Ms. Allman was commissioned by the New York Times to photograph Hen Island for the August 3, 2008 story titled An Island, Untamed and Divided. After her short visit to Hen Island Ms. Allman was compelled to write a letter to the Rye City Council depicting the horrific mosquito attacks she experienced on the Island.