WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER SETS RECORD VISITS FOR YEAR 7,017,658 VISITS! 2,098,003 VISITORS MADE 6 VISITS A DAY EVERY DAY. 63,330 UNIQUE VISITORS MADE 133,730 VISITS IN DECEMBER. WPCNR AVERAGED 17,284 VISITORS A WEEK, VISITING 31,270 TIMES.

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WPCNR CNA NEWS. By John F. Bailey March 14, 2007 UPDATED 3:45  PM: Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors spent an hour and a half defending the proposed 2007-2008 $173.8 Million school budget to about 12 Council of Neighborhood Association representatives last night who leveled withering criticism on the school district labor negotiation skills, suggesting the present negotiating team was not tough enough with the teachers union. Several residents suggested bringing in a more aggressive labor negotiator.  The group agreed by consensus to perhaps run educational advertisements in local media to make residents aware of school budget issues. They stopped short of saying they would recommend against approval of the school budget.

Patti Cantu, President of Battle Hill Association has received a response from Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors on a written request the school district do more about removing illegal students from the school system. She forwards the Superintendent’s response:

Suggestions were also made that the school district negotiate hard for givebacks on health care benefits such as lowering starting salaries, adjusting salary step increases, and much was made of teachers “working only 10 months of the year.” (To be fair, White Plains teachers are required to attend workshops on curriculum during summers, and prepare extensively for the fall classes. They do not say goodbye on June 24 and return in early September.)

Connors said, teachers pay only 5% of their health care benefits. Connors defended the Board negotiating team which he said consisted of a lawyer, James Roche,  another member of the School Board and the Assistant Superintendent for Personnel. Connors said “The board is well aware of your concern,” and though he would not delve into specifics, acknowledged the negotiating team was working on some of the very issues the CNA representatives addressed. During the portion of the meeting WPCNR attended, there was not a lot of complaints about Administration salaries and staffing, though one mention was made about the high salaries of the district administration.

At the close of the meeting, the group agreed by consensus to place advertisements in local media to acquaint the populace with school budget issues and to get out the vote on the May School Budget. It was unclear whether the advertisement would actually call for the voters to reject the 2007-2008 budget which calls for a 4.82% increase in spending, compared to last year’s 7.16% increase. The budget increases the schoolk tax 8.34%

Complaints were raised that the school district does not do enough to eliminate children attending White Plains schools illegally. Connors said the school employs two investigators to followup on suspect non-resident students when they are brought to district attention. Connors admited that no tax papers are requested when parents register their children for school. He said that the district would be willing to cooperate with the city Safe Housing Task Force to provide addresses where clusters of children appear to be living as grounds for investigation.

 It was suggested by a representative to WPCN R in conversation afterwards that as many as 200 or more ineligible children attended the district schools (about 10 classes and 20 teachers worth…if that guestimate is anywhere near accurate). Residents called on the district to make more effort to identify alleged illegal attendees and where they live in order that the city Safe Housing Task Force could shut down the illegal rooming houses. Residents were annoyed the district has not routinely done this in the past. Patti Cantu of the Battle Hill Association demanded the school district do address checks, note multiple attendees from the same address and share that information with the city. Connors agreed that he would.

Knots of animated, indigant representatives continued to talk past 10 P.M. about the growth of the school budget and its effect on resident-ability to afford the tax burden. One representative said the tax increases were really eating into his retirement savings, and he was seriously concerned about his future ability to continue to live in White Plains on a fixed income in his present house.

In a related development expected this week, Gina Cuneo-Harwood the City Financial Officer is expected to reveal the 2007-2008 city budget and tax increase. As of last week, the city Budget and Management Committee budget review meeting had not been set yet.

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WPCNR’S ADAM IN ALBANY. By New York Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley, 89th District. March 13, 2007: I am pleased that the Assembly restored the Aid to Municipalities (AIM) funding to six of the towns I represent that were slated to lose this source of revenue in the governor’s budget proposal.  I fought to have this funding restored and as we move forward and enter public joint conference committee meetings, I will work toward ensuring that this local aid is maintained in the final budget.

Under the Assembly’s one-house budget plan passed yesterday, the towns of Bedford, Pound Ridge, New Castle, North Castle, Harrison and Lewisboro will receive the same level of aid they received in last year’s budget.  State funding makes a difference and affects the ability of local governments to hold the line on property taxes and continue providing important public services.

 

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. March 13, 2007: The Journal News has announced its selections for All-Section, naming White Plains basketball players Kim Adams, Liz Flooks and Angelei Aguirre to the League IA All-Section Team and naming Flooks an Adams Most Valuable Player. Sue Adams, their Coach has been named Coach of the Year for mentoring the Tigers to their third consecutive Section 1 Championship. To commemorate this unprecedented achievement, we turn to the bard of the pressbox, the Grantland Rice of White Plains, Hoops Hardwood:

Tigers of the Golden Ball

By Hoops Hardwood

 

Three times the Tigresses climbed to the Top

Thrashing all competition from Section to Section.

Three years they thrilled with last minute stop

Now we will no more to the gym again to see the cream of the crop.

 

 

 

For Adams and Flooks and Mcquire,

The Tigers of hoop savoire

Have made their last run

Their valiant effort has at last been done.

 

From the flamboyant crashing of boards

Convergence on cage

Of Flooks and Adams grabbing bound after bound

Popping in putbacks with grace and aplomb.

 

 

Three times they held Golden Ball

Of Excellence high holding us enthrall

With comeback and heart

In contests tempestuous, they now must part.

 

Gone separate ways to their futures they must,

Leaving behind pictures on WPHS walls.                                                          

Future Tigers will gaze upon and remember

When playing in the Tigers den caused Koala and Knight to Tremble.

 

 

Snapshots of glory unfold in minds eye

Of spectacular shot and clawing defense

Of unselfish play and pressure intense

As quintette of Tiger Cubs made us sigh and cry.

 

Denied supremacy at state

Three times by fickle twists of fortune late

Hearts hardened by the indifference of

The hardwood road they showed how to handle fate.

 

 

From swooping Kim with the long Texas reach and dagger jumper

Delivering the clutch run when the Tigers were in trouble

To Liz’s leaps to snare a tricky bound and burst the opposition’s bubble

To the Angel of the Glass – Aguirre the igniter – the backboard bumper

 

Teaming with the passionate Paige stepping up the tempo on a Spree.

With Bree and company stepping in, the Angel and the Paige

Inherit the Adams and Flooks legacy

To build anew the Tiger dynasty.

 

So here’s to the Tigers of the Golden Ball

Of memories in the hot gyms on cold nights,

Of musty practices and the bounce of the

Fickle orange rock, all who saw them remember the highlights.

 

To Liz and Kim, and Angelei and Paige and Lauren

Thanks for the memories for though you have fallen,

We remember the furious desire, the comebacks and the putbacks

The defense that would not quit, you have set the standard for Tigers All.

 

In our mind’s eye we will always see you in your glory:

The steal and the no-look pass. The second and third follows.]

The toughness, the heart. The come-out-and-get you dee.

Though we must part making way for future Tigers of the Golden Ball.

 

On some future day on a stroll down the WPHS Wall of Fame,

We shall look at your picture, seeing the bright promise, the supreme achievers.

Reminding us forever of the time when your Tiger five played the game,

Giving it all you had and setting a standard to which all would aspire.

 

 

 

 

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WPCNR THE FEINER REPORT. By Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner. March 12, 2007: Con Ed has begun to clear many trees throughout the area –a follow up to the power outages that took place last year. The tree cutting may be a necessary action to help reduce the possibility of future massive power outages.

The clear cutting of trees at different locations throughout the town and region is creating an eyesore and possible safety concerns. For example, on Ridge Road – north of Heatherdell – virtually all of the trees have been cut down along the Sprain.  The lack of trees at this location is changing the character of the community –making a part of Greenburgh much less green. I was driving on the Bronx River Parkway – north of the County Center today. A section of the park is also much more visible because of the recent clear cutting of many trees. Con Ed advised residents who attended a meeting in Edgemont a few weeks ago that the serious tree cutting effort will begin in Greenburgh during the 2^nd half of this year —so we are just starting to learn what to expect.

In addition, there are safety issues. On Ridge Road the trees provided a little protection for cars in the unfortunate event that they skidded off the road so they would not fall several stories onto the Sprain. I suggest that smaller trees/bushes be planted at this location and have been asked by constituents to look into the possibility of placing a guard rail or fence behind it so drivers and passengers won’t fall off the edge onto the Sprain.

I feel strongly that Con Ed should appropriate funds for tree replanting programs. Last Friday I received an e mail from Con Ed advising me that Con Ed does not expect to replant the trees that are being cut.  I also believe that if the town,Verizon remove trees – that funds should be appropriated for smaller tree replantings. The cost should be assumed by the entity that removes the trees.

Greenburgh needs to keep the green in our name.

PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor

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WPCNR’S ADAM IN ALBANY. By State Assemblyman Adam T. B radley (89th District) March 12, 2007: On Wednesday, health care advocates rallied in Albany to oppose the health care plan in Governor Spitzer’s budget proposal and I met with representatives from the Westchester Medical Society to listen to their concerns.   Many health care groups have come out against the governor’s plan because they believe it will severely jeopardize the quality of patient care and place even more financial burdens on the state’s already struggling hospitals and nursing homes.  These facilities are the backbone to the health of our communities and they take care of our children, parents, husbands and wives. 

 

 

The governor has proposed various reforms to combat the escalating costs of Medicaid in this state.  Savings from his restructuring of Medicaid payments to health care facilities will be directed towards important proposals, such as insuring New York’s 400,000 uninsured children and lowering the costs of prescription drugs.  I absolutely agree with these proposals.  And I share in the governor’s belief that our state’s health care system must put patients first, not special interests. 

 

However, I am very concerned that parts of the governor’s plan will harm patients.  I fear that by terminating vital health care funds that facilities such as Westchester Medical Center, White Plains Hospital Center and Northern Westchester Hospital rely on, our families will be put at substantial risk of not getting the quality care they ultimately deserve.  There are ways to reform our health care system without compromising patient care. 

 

HMOs and pharmaceutical companies are the real winners in New York State’s health care system.  Year after year these businesses post record profits while hospitals and nursing homes fight to keep their heads above water.  It should not be this way and that is why I have sponsored numerous measures to level the playing field between insurance companies and health care providers.  Reforming HMOs is the step we should be taking to rein in health care spending while ensuring the highest level of patient care.  The funding cuts in the governor’s budget proposal could have negative impacts on patient care:

Ø Westchester Medical Center ————————–$9,236,000

Ø White Plains Hospital Center————————–$1,799,000

Ø Northern Westchester Hospital————————$1,405,000

Ø Cedar Manor Nursing Home ————————–$697,000

Ø St. Mary’s Rehabilitation Center for Children——$294,000

 

Patients should not shoulder the burden of health care reforms when other steps can be taken.  I will fight during budget negotiations to make sure our facilities are sufficiently funded.