Monitoring, Coordination Key to Maryland Students Math Skill Nurturing.

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS: Math in White Plains. By John F. Bailey. Number 2 In a Series, December 27, 2006 : Tight monitoring of test performance during the year and coordinated English and Math instruction has lead to Montgomery County Maryland students retaining and developing their math skills while sustaining their test scores as they progress through Middle School.


 


Monitoring and Coordination have been  a key factor in leading to 90% of Montgomery County 8th graders passing high school mathematics courses at the 8th grade level, 67% of the other half of 8th graders, not taking the high school math, pass the 8th grade assessment, according to the Montgomery County K-12 Mathematics Supervisor.


WPCNR interviewed Leah Casey-Quinn, K-12 Mathematics Supervisor for the Montgomery County Public Schools (which devised its own curriculum for English and Math), discussed how Montgomery County Schools have obtained a 67% Pass Rate for half of their eighth grade students and a 90% pass rate for the other half who do not take advanced math. Montgomery county runs approximately 20% Black, 30% Hispanic, and 34% white in terms of population presenting it with the same educational challenges as the White Plains City School District.


 


 


WPCNR: Ms. Quinn, what do you attribute this sustained math performance through middle school to?


 


Leah Quinn:  I think one of the strengths we have is we have a K-12 program where we have aligned what is the written curriculum, the taught curriculum and the assessed curriculum.


         In addition to the standards that align with the written, we have instructional guides and assessments that are tools for teachers to use to know  what it is they need to have the students know by grade, by unit, from pre-K to 12.


              Having all those aligned and having professional development for our teachers, in terms of professional development over the summer and ongoing and monitoring what is the implementation of the program, and monitoring student progress and student data, all lines up so all your arrows are in the same place. It is the strength of the total program that really explains why our students are successful.


 


WPCNR: Do you test students in the lower grades to make sure the skills are learned?


 


Quinn:  We have a system-wide assessment program by unit.


There are approximately six unit assessments per year per grade level that are on an electronic monitoring system.


       There are teacher reports (provided by the electronic monitoring system) so teachers can see the areas in which their students are successful and in which their students need to have some reteaching and reassessment to get at the content they don’t have yet.


        The monitoring starts at kindergarten and goes through the beginnings of high school. The monitoring stops at Algebra I.


 


WPCNR: Do you develop those tests locally in the district? Any data programs you use to do that?


 


Quinn: They’re locally developed, yes, in our office. The data collection program has all been done in house in Montgomery County through the eighth grade and we are piloting a commercial project for algebra this year.


 


WPCNR: On teaching basic math skills:  Do you do a balance of memorization?


 


Quinn: It’s very much a balanced program where we feel there needs to be first of all, a  conceptual knowledge and that it happens.  Not one (basic skills or conceptual knowledge) comes before the other, but that the two, (basic skills and conceptual knowledge) happen intertwined and you need to access all of them at the same time. It’s like braiding a rope, you need all the strands for proficiency.


              


Quinn said when  Montgomery County was writing its successful curriculum in 2001-2002, they based it on the National Research Council book Adding It Up.


 


WPCNR: How does your district address students with English as a second language to get them to understand the math problems?


 


Quinn: There are struggles. I’m not saying we have the answers, all of them, but we do feel that having high expectations for the students, and the teachers have high expectations, and having the students believe in themselves, and that in our mathematics, we believe in teaching mathematics from the concrete to the pictorial to the abstract.


              If you teach mathematics at the abstract level, you’re going to lose all of the kids, because there the language is most important. But, when you can start concepts by doing something with concrete objects and discussing it, and then having students look at it pictorially, because there are physical objects, that is a very solid way of having students who might not have all of the vocabulary build the vocabulary, so when they get to the written they have built the vocabulary they need to solve the problems.


 


WPCNR :How do you as math coordinator coordinate with the language or English coordinators in the district to make sure everything is in step.


 


Quinn: We all work out of the same offices. We develop the instructional guides. We do not develop individual ESOL math units. It’s the same curriculum. The curriculum needs to be the same, it’s just using the instructional strategies that the ESOL supervisors and specialists in the area talk about those strategies. Some of those strategies are having the students act it out, having it physical so the math isn’t just about words being shown.


 


WPCNR: Could you speak to the consistency of the testing results from K to Middle School?


 


Quinn: We’re finding as children who have been in the revised curriculum, (since 2002) and it’s not just the curriculum, but all of those pieces I talked about, are now entering middle school, it appears their success is going with them and we are building the success in Middle School now that we have students who have been monitored since elementary school.


             That monitoring thing is not only what you monitor, but what you do after you monitor, what do you do if the kids don’t know it then you have to be reteaching and reassessing them.


 


WPCNR: Do you keep students back?


 


Quinn:  It’s not that you monitor at the end of the school year. It’s ongoing monitoring throughout the school year so it’s not a surprise at the end of the year whether the kids know it or not.


 

(In our next installment, WPCNR interviews the White Plains Mathematics and English Coordinators on the mathematics – English situation in the White Plains Schools. To reread the interview with Skip Fennel of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics in which Mr. Fennel discusses the NCTM Focus on Basics policy, click on http://www.whiteplainscnr.com/article5293.html)

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Website Introduces Test White Plains 311 Service: http://311.wpny.us

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WPCNR WIRED WHITE PLAINS. By Don Hughes. December 27, 2006: White Plains does not have a 3-1-1 service.  That is why our Community  Policing representative – Lt. Kristopher – was so appreciated until he  was reassigned.  He was our entrance into the inner workings of the  city.  You could call him with any problem and he would direct you to the correct resource.  He was, in effect, the city´s 3-1-1 operator.

Obviously, a 3-1-1 service cannot be implemented without the city´s cooperation.  However, there is an ancillary function – service request  input and tracking – that can be implemented as a web site.

As you know, you can dial 9-1-1 to report an emergency.  This is just
one of a number of easy-to-remember three-digit `abbreviated dialing´
telephone numbers which allows access to special services.
Usage is generally assigned as follows:
o211: community services
o311: government services
o411: phone company directory assistance
o511: traffic information
o611: phone company customer service
o711: TDD relay for the deaf
o811: underground public utility location (or phone company
business office)
o911: emergency services
911 and 411 work from nearly every telephone in the U.S. and Canada,
while the others may vary from place to place.  Generally, only 411
calls incur a toll.  911 access is mandated by law, even on lines with
no service (a “soft” dial tone).  611 may also be accessible to
activate service on such lines.

2-1-1 is meant to provide quick information and referrals to health and
human services.  Other community services are provided through 211, but
only if a non-profit organization such as the United Way operates it
locally.

3-1-1 is meant to provide quick, easy-to-remember access to non-
emergency municipal services or a Citizen Service Center.  Dialing this
number allows city residents to obtain important non-emergency services
through a central, an all-purpose phone number quickly and effectively. 
3-1-1 is intended, in part, to divert routine inquiries and non-urgent
community concerns from the emergency 9-1-1 number.  A promotional
website for 3-1-1 in Los Angeles described the distinction as follows:
Burning building?  Call 9-1-1.
Burning Question?  Call 3-1-1.

In cities where 311 has been implemented it is very popular.  In NYC,
for example, their 311 operators handle almost 39,000 calls a day
covering things such as bus information, CFC and Freon removal,
landlord complaints, parking violations and towed vehicles.

The Citizen Service Center concept is so popular because it is
frequently difficult to determine the appropriate agency to contact,
and then to determine their phone number.  In White Plains, for
example, there are multiple departments responsible for paining street
lines.  Noisy construction site – Building Department or Public Safety? 
Tree across the sidewalk – Public Safety or DPW?  Parking ticket?

I have created an EXAMPLE site – 311.wpny.us – to demonstrate the
concept.  The site is limited by my lack of time and money, and is not
as polished as an official city site would be.  Any requests that you
submit will NOT be sent to any city department.  However, I would
really appreciate your help in testing how the concept would work in
White Plains.  Please access the site and enter any unresolved service
request that you may have.  Things such as buckled sidewalks, burnt out
streetlights, potholes, missing street signs, illegal parking,
whatever.  I have seeded the request types with a number of choices,
but if you do not see yours listed, just use the `not listed´ category. 
This will help me flesh out the choices.  If something is confusing, or
broken, or you have a suggestion, send me a note at comments@wpny.us.

So, fire up your browser and enter http://311.wpny.us
 

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A Marine Faces God

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WPCNR NEWS & COMMENT. December 26, 2006:  As Americans die daily in Iraq fighting for an elusive goal, against the madness of centuries of hate, WPCNR passes along these thoughts










THE FINAL INSPECTION



The Marine stood and faced God,

Which must always come to pass.

He hoped his shoes were shining,

Just as brightly as his brass.


“Step forward now, Marine,

How shall I deal with you?

Have you always turned the other cheek?

To My Church have you been true?”


The soldier squared his shoulders and said,

“No, Lord, I guess I ain’t.

Because those of us who carry guns,

Can’t always be a saint.


I’ve had to work most Sundays,

And at times my talk was tough.

And sometimes I’ve been violent,

Because the world is awfully rough.


But, I never took a penny,

That wasn’t mine to keep…

Though I worked a lot of overtime,

When the bills got just too steep.


And I never passed a cry for help,

Though at times I shook with fear.

And sometimes, God, forgive me,

I’ve wept unmanly tears.


I know I don’t deserve a place,

Among the people here.

They never wanted me around,

Except to calm their fears.


If you’ve a place for me here, Lord,

It needn’t be so grand.

I never expected or had too much,

But if you don’t, I’ll understand.


There was a silence all around the throne,

Where the saints had often trod.

As the Marine waited quietly,

For the judgment of his God.

“Step forward now, you Marine,

You’ve borne your burdens well.

Walk peacefully on Heaven’s streets,

You’ve done your time in Hell.”






It’s the Soldier, not the reporter,
Who has given us the freedom of the press.

It’s the Soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us the freedom of speech.

It’s the Soldier, not the politicians,
That ensures our right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

It’s the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag.

If you care to offer the smallest token of recognition and appreciation for the Military,
Please pass this on and pray for our men and women
Who have served and are currently serving our country
And pray for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.



 




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Who Is the White Plains Person of the Year?

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WPCNR WHITE PLAINS POLL. December 26, 2006: It is time to decide the WPCNR White Plains Person of the Year, the informal recognition of persons who contributed the most positive contributions to the well-being of the citizenry in the news year 2006. These nominations use the criteria of how a person affected the White Plains way of life  in a positive way.  You are invited to cast your votes at the right. May we have the nominations, please, in alphabetical order, they are:


Carl Albanese – a documentary maker and media professional, Mr. Albanese exposed on live television, the 25 year cover-up by the City of White Plains of TCE contamination in the city dump and A Department of Environmental Conservation investigation and laxness in enforcement, which is still undecided and possibly will cost the city over a million dollars to comply with or remediate.  He fought successfully a city hall attempt to ban recording of Common Council work sessions, getting city hall officials to back down.


 


Evette Avila, Principal Ridgeway School – Nominated for her successful use of BOCES Data Warehouse analyses and staff use of the data to upgrade Ridgeway Math Achievement scores 14% in one year, by isolating students’ weaknesses, remediating them, pioneering how BOCES Data Warehouse statistical analysis can help test preparation. It is the most significant one year turnaround in an elementary school in 7 years.


 


Councilman Benjamin Boykin – Nominated for his decisive vote defeating the Memorandum of Understanding with New York Presbyterian Hospital advanced by the city administration that, no matter what previous agreements he had made to the contrary, he could have easily reversed and approved at the last moment. Boykin’s sticking to principle due to his feeling that the city “carrying the ball” for a private property owner was wrong was a landmark decision.


 


Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors – Nominated for relentless guidance of the White Plains School District, conducting a successful referendum vote authorizing upgrading of  District facitilies authorizing $69 Million in expenditures, while initiating long-range strategic planning. Connors’ public compaign for the school bond is a lesson in how to sway public opinion. Connors is the first Superintendent of Schools in White Plains to address aggressively the matter of bilingual education in the White Plains Schools by his introduction of a pilot program  in Kindergarten next fall. He is a leader who informs his constitutents and leads.


 


Mayor Joseph Delfino – Nominated for his aggressive leadership continuing residential and retail growth downtown and expanding the renaissance to the West Side of the city. Will 2006-2007 be the year the city realizes the long awaited payoff from the Mayor’s development? 2005-2006 reached projections. Policies of selling “unneeded city assets” for revenue were not always agreed-on by all residents – however, Delfino’s efforts are consistent. His policies are proactive, which may this year finally pay out.  Delfino focused on the homeless problem in White Plains, demanding the county design a equitable system for locating homeless shelters which the county has refused to do to date.


 


Commissioner of Finance Gina Cuneo-Harwood –  Now city hall’s major money policy specialist. Her financial projection this year came in on target. Her policy of selling city assets to encourage both development and fill cash flow gaps while waiting for “development’s ship” to dock has bought the city more financial hang time, and an improved credit rating from Moody’s.


 


Don Hughes – A private citizen who posts city documents, meetings of note, and highly useful documents on his own website. Mr. Hughes pursuit of federal, state, and city hall documents for all citizens to see easily in a timely manner, is a valuable public service, exposed evidence of city coverups and supplements the city’s own website where key city reports are rarely available.


 


Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety Daniel Jackson – Promoted this year into the Deputy Commissioner void, Jackson steered the police department through three unprecedented White Plains natural emergencies in which police communication with the public improved considerably and citizens were kept safe. Jackson addressed criticism of the downtown police presence in dealing with rowdy youth, eased  citizen anxiety. He improved media communications in emergencies and has made himself instantly reachable. Jackson and Commissioner of Public Safety Dr. Frank Straub have also asked for an emergency situation system by 2008-2009 to keep residents informed – something White Plains has never had.


 


Charles Lederman – a local activist who questioned procedures in determining costs of the $69 Million school district capital project,  involving himself in thinking about the scope of the project. His questioning of authority was never really answered satisfactorily by the school district during the course of the campaign, and actually revealed some mistakes. Lederman’s courage in questioning policy is an example of good citizenship.


 


Commissioner of Public Works Joseph Nicoletti – The Commissioner who makes this list every year showed he runs the most effective Public Works Department around. Snow is removed promptly, but opening up the city after 600 trees were downed, clearing streets within 48 hours this year was a super feat performed by the Commissioner and his DPW men and women. The Commissioner’s men and women did this three times in White Plains – during the Rain/tornado storm July 19 – the heat wave blackout  two weeks later and in a third storm in early September. Con Edison could not keep up with the White Plains DPW in those storms. Should the Commissioner extricate his city sucessfully with the DEC over the city dump contamination, he will again have saved the city’s bacon.


 


Paula Piekos – consistently brings up sore subjects to the City of White Plains and fights for what she believes in. Her effort to save the Railside Avenue lots from being sold, and ongoing exposure of the city’s reluctance to divulge information on the final fates of those sales exposes how the city has its own agenda and does not always think things out carefully.


 


White Plains High School Principal Ivan Toper – Toper has acted decisively in dealing with sensitive issues: gang influence and identifying youths at risk, working closely with them, communication with parents, impressing teens on the dangers of teen drinking, (there have been no major teen-drinking incidents this year), supporting and introducing the Margaret’s Place resource for abused teens and domestic violence. He is the first WPHS Principal in this reporter’s memory to deliver public talks on WPHS academic achievement progress.


 


A man who left us this year suddenly, Ron Jackson, whose untimely death deserves mention as an example of speaking truth to power. He was not as active this year as in the past, due to his deteriorating health, but his spirit lives on in several of this year’s nominees.


 


Councilman Robert Greer left us this year too, after a long illness and we salute his public service literally to the end, and his courage in facing the inevitable night. 


 

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Twas the Night Before Christmas in White Plains

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WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. December 25, 2006 In recognition of Christmas Day, WPCNR brings back a favorite of the past posted on this site many years ago, updated:


Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the city,

Construction cranes were idle, Cappelli’s Ritz Towers silent with no activity


Accept for Building Inspectors counting each floor, there wasn’t even a mouse at the door.

Not a legislator or councilperson was stirring not even a high school student.;



The County and City budget stockings were hung by Michaelian & Main chimneys with devil-may care air,

In hopes Angels Eliot,Amy, Adam  Andy and Bill Would Stuff Them fair.



The citizens, nestled snug in their beds with the Mayor’s City Center  filled and spending Wal Mart Mobs,

With visions of sweet sugar plums from Trump Tower, City Center, Fortunoffs and Wal Mart Plunder soon to fill sales tax into the city’ s till with cash in gobs.

 Paul Wood in his trusty chair, cellphone in ear and the kindly Cuneo-Harwood applying her budget cap and CAFR magic

Had just settled the city in for a short winter’s nap;


No new approvals, Just a quiet $16 Million Sale, with zoning zen on tap.

When out on 221 Main site, there arose such a clatter,


Paul Wood Sprang from his desk in City Hall garret suspending Secret Developer Talks to see what was the matter,

Away to the window, he flew in a flash, stunned to see in Bank Street view, construction begin on Christmas Eve anew.

He tore open the shutters and threw up the sash,

As cranes, girders and whistles sounded across Bank Street with a crash.

The moon shown on the crest of the rising girders on LCOR’s Christmas Eve Crew,

The Acting Building Commissioner Amodio was summoned to issue a stop work order to the intrepid Gilpatrick jumping the gun.

“It’s Christmas,” he said to the peerless leader . “Even Louis is not working. Santa can’t come with all this to-do, and we haven’t approved it yet.”


Turning from the developers in marathon secret talks, the nimble Wood and barrister Dunphy

Fashioned a Christmas gift for all the City.

“It’s a disgrace,” said gatekeeper Paul Wood, when hounded by clamorous press in voicemail message curt.

Seeking an explanation for the cacaphonous distress.

“How can we do the people’s business, even on Christmas,” said right hand man Maloney

As Saint Theresa and reliable Melissa patiently awaited the holiday agenda thick and toney.

The construction lights gave the luster of midday, to trucks and dirt and backedup  cars causing them

To glow like fresh fallen snow.

When what to the crew’s surprise should appear,

But a big red sleigh, pulled by six councilpersons..

With a jolly old driver, so lively and quick, looking very

Much like Mayor Joseph Delfino with a sleigh full of holiday cheer.

The city servants working late, knew in a moment it must be their leader.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came on the wintry scene

“Now, Boykin! Now Malmud! Now Bernstein!

On Roach! On Hockley! On Power!

To the Top of City Hall! To the Top of the Wall!

Into the Council Chamber they rushed to assemble a proclamation to all!

Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!

As empty lots before developers fill, bearing promissory notes and refi’s creating cash anew

With towers to the sky,

To the City Hall roof his sturdy council did fly.

With the Mayor’s sleigh full of toys, and the jolly Mayor, too.

In a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The serious voices of each councilman giving proof

That the sleeping city was in sure hand.

As Mr. Wood drew in crewcut head, turning around,

Down the circular stair the Mayor and Council came with a bound.

The Mayor was dressed in his Mayor’s suit, from his head to his foot,

His brown trademark suit was draped with ribbons for approvals to come for North Street Community, Bank Street West, The Luxury Lexington Mile and mystery subdivisions to boot.

A bundle of plans, for sewer and water tanks Nicoletti brought forth for Mayor and council to consider.

The Mayor, his eyes how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up in a smile…”No, Bud, no plans for awhile!”

The Mayor spoke not a word, but went straight to his desk, he bade Council be seated, and with not a voice of denial,

Presented the resolution, the council spread the communications with glee

He congratulated Straub, Jennings and Jackson for law and order with style,

He Lay plans for condos and apartments for the Court Street homeless with care


With BID restaurants to cater the less fortunate with compassion’s splendid fare.

Gifts to the city from the hardest working Common Council without guile.

Thanking the council, commissioners that are left,  and city staff bereft, and benefactors generosity

America’s favorite Mayor sprang to the circular stair, and sleigh,

To his team gave a whistle, and away the Mayor and council flew like the down of a thistle.

But the citizens heard them exclaim, as the team drove out of sight filled with new Gateway and 4% Union Contract goodies and stuff,


“We can never thank you enough”


The proclamation just passed, 7-0  to citizens all:

‘Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”


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Westchester Arts Council Announces Local Awards

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WPCNR STAGE DOOR. From Westchester Arts Council. December 20, 2006: Westchester Arts Council is the recipient of a $115,000.00 grant from The New York State Music Fund (“The Fund”) to support the Triple Hill Music Festival, a new festival to be held in Mount Vernon, New York. The Triple Hill Festival will feature community concerts, music education programming in- and after-school, and Rock My Soul: the Black Legacy of Rock & Roll, a traveling exhibition from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.


The White Plains Library Foundation of White Plains has also been awarded $28,000 to support free performances and outreach workshops of A Salute To Comtemporary Music featuring 10 artists representing various genres, including, folk, blues, jazz and gospel.


SUNY Purchase (Purchase) has also been awared $80,000  to commission two works by contemporary Cuban-American composer Tania León and Puerto Rican-Bronx-based composer Ray Santos to be performed by the Purchase Symphony Orchestra and the Purchase Latin Jazz Orchestra.


The New York State Music Fund was created when the New York State Attorney General’s Office resolved investigations against major record companies that had violated state and federal laws prohibiting “pay for play” (also called “payola”). The settlement agreement stipulated that funds paid by music businesses would support music education and appreciation for the benefit of New York State residents. The Attorney General’s Office enlisted the services of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, one of the nation’s largest and most experienced philanthropy services, to develop and manage the grant program.


The Triple Hill Music Festival will to provide access to and awareness of the contributions of African-Americans in the development of rock and roll through gospel, rhythm & blues, jazz, folk and blues music.  The anchor of the Festival is an exhibit and education program entitled Rock My Soul: the Black Legacy of Rock & Roll, to be housed at the Mt. Vernon Public Library. A companion educational curriculum will be made available to the schools along with teacher training in its use.  The festival also includes a series of Master Classes and performances for students, parents and the local community. 



An Advisory Panel comprised of recognized leaders from a cross-section of the music world evaluated and recommended 218 of the 402 applications the Fund received. The grant awards total $19 million for performances, presentations, commissions and educational programs taking place in New York State over the next year, and in a few select cases over the next two years. Together with the $13 million awarded in the first cycle of grants, the total for 2006 comes to $32 million.  Of this amount, nearly a million dollars supports Westchester’s arts organizations. 

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THE FEINER REPORT: Greenburgh Supervisor Notes Highlights of The Greenburgh Year

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WPCNR’S THE FEINER REPORT. By Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner. December 22, 2006: HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON AND A GREAT 2007!




 2006 is almost history.  In reviewing the year in review – I’m pleasantly surprised at the activity and accomplishments. The following are highlights of the year.




 NO TAX HIKE–For the 2nd year in a row the Greenburgh Town Board adopted a budget that does not raise taxes. Actually, the budget for 2007 reduces taxes slightly. I proposed a written fund balance policy to the Town Board that regulates how much fund balance should be maintained in each fund each year.




 CABLE TV COMPETITION– The Greenburgh Town Board became the first locality in Westchester to approve a cable TV contract with Verizon. We are the first to have cable TV competition. Cablevision has been offering price reductions to  some customers who cancel their service.






CON ED POWER OUTAGES–Many residents experienced numerous Con Ed power outages this year. Some homeowners were out of power 5 or 6 times. I organized a lobbying initiative to persuade Con Ed to study the feasibility of placing power lines underground. The Greenburgh Town Board approved a resolution I had introduced calling for a study. Con Ed agreed to conduct the study.





GENERATOR TO BE PLACED AT TOWN HALL — Most municipalities do not have emergency generators in municipal buildings to provide power in the event of a power outage. The Greenburgh Town Board approved a budget request I made to appropriate funds for an emergency generator at Town Hall. The Town Hall could also be used to provide emergency shelter for seniors and disabled residents in event of a power outage.





LIBRARY- The Town Board approved bids for the 20 million library construction. The construction of the library will start in January, 2007 (about 8 months after the construction was originally supposed to begin). The old Town Hall, which was originally going to be used for a temporary library during construction, will not be used for that purpose. Instead, the temporary library will be located at satellite locations. Demita Gerber, Greenburgh’s Library Director, resigns her position – takes a new job in Wisconsin.





LIBRARY CONTRACT– Bad news for unincorporated Greenburgh, good news for Ardsley: Elmsford decided not to renew their contract with Greenburgh for library services. Instead, Elmsford signed a contract for library services for 4 years with Ardsley. Greenburgh will lose about a million dollars during the 4 year contract. Elmsford residents, who will be given an Ardsley library card, will have library privileges throughout Westchester -including Greenburgh – because Ardsley is a member of the Westchester Library system.





2 HOMELESS SHELTERS CLOSE–WESTHAB closed two homeless shelters in Greenburgh: One in Elmsford and another in the Fulton Park section of Greenburgh.





DOG PARK APPROVED–A bark for the park rally at Town Hall this summer led to the Town Board approving a resolution designating East Rumbrook Park as the location for a dog park. The dog park will be built in 2007.





SHELL HYDROGEN PROPOSES HYDROGEN FUEL STATION IN EDGEMONT–Shell Hydrogen proposed a hydrogen fuel station in Edgemont, just south of Ardsley Road. If approved, the station would be the 3rd station in the United States. The Planning Board will be reviewing the application in 2007.





EDGEMONT WINS $1.4 MILLION CERTIORARI CASE- Usually, when property owners file certiorari actions in court they win or there is a court settlement. Midway lost a lawsuit–saving the Edgemont school district $817,000. THe town worked with the Edgemont school district on fighting the lawsuit.





COMMUNITY HOSPITAL AT DOBBS FERRY – A state panel recommended the closure of the Community Hospital at Dobbs Ferry. The Greenburgh Town Board joined other municipal boards in approving a resolution calling on the state not to close the hospital. This hospital actually is making money.





CITIZENS INSURANCE COMMITTEE ISSUES REPORT – A Citizens Insurance Committee, chaired by Edgemont resident RIchard Liskov, issued a comprehensive report address town insurance issues.





NEW POET LAUREATE– The Greenburgh Town Board appointed Westchester‘s first municipal Poet Laureate, Brenda Connor-Bey.





CABLEVISION WITHDRAWS REQUEST FOR HELIPAD: Cablevision withdrew its request to place a helipad at their Madison Square Garden training facility located in Greenburgh – which serves the NY Knicks, Liberty and Rangers team.





MORE LEAF COLLECTION FUNDS– The Town Board increased the leaf collection overtime budget by $20,000. Hopefully, leaf collection will improve in 2007.





HARTSDALE PARKING –The Hartsdale Parking Garage was renovated in 2006. A committee is being formed to address residential parking needs on E Hartsdale Ave. There is a shortage of residential parking on the avenue.





NEW BLOG: Residents can participate in the dialogue by visiting my new blog: www.pfeinerblogspot.com





DECADE OLD HOUSING PROPOSAL MOVES FORWARD: THE Greenburgh Town Board approved findings for Avalon Green – a housing complex in E Irvington (on Elmsford’s border) that will include 444 units of housing, 10% affordable housing. The housing was first proposed over 11 years ago. Originally, the developer wanted to build about 800 units of housing. After many years of negotiations with the neighboring communities an agreement was reached.





SOLAR PANELS DEDICATED AT TOWN HALL– Solar panels were placed on the roof of Town Hall, partially powering our Town Hall.Our energy conservation coordinator proposed energy efficient standards for new commercial construction, energy efficient standards in the town purchasing/procurement policy and a plan for energy audits and efficiency improvements on additional town facilities. A green energy fair was held.





CHECK OUT BUILDING DEPT ENFORCEMENT–The Building Department has an online listing of each complaint they receive by offense and disposition. One can now file complaints online. 



STUDENT RUN CABLE TV SHOWS–Students now host cable TV shows shown on our public access station. 



INTERGENERATIONAL PROGRAMS- A toddler/senior intergeneration program was started at the Theodore Young Community Center. Seniors and toddlers from Union Child Day Care Center participate in these get togethers.





LEASE AGREEMENT WITH CREDIT UNION: The Town Board approved a lease agreement with a credit union to rent space on the 2nd floor of Town Hall. The credit union opened it’s offices in 2006.





HISTORY: The Town Historian, Frank Jazzo, organized a re-enactment of the 225th anniversary of  AMerica‘s March to Yorktown. Marchers camped at the Odell House. The use of the Odell House on Ridge Road in Hartsdale as General Rochambeau’s HQ in 1787 as well as the Washington Rochambeau Route Passing through Greenburgh was highlighted.





VILLAGES/UNINCORPORATED: THe dispute between unincorporated Greenburgh and the villages was not resolved. The Town Board voted to appeal a lawsuit concerning Taxter Ridge. A mediation committee was appointed consisting of representatives of the villages and unincorporated Greenburgh. No legislative recommendations have been made.





E Rumbrook Park– The Town Board approved funds for implementing phase 1 of the East Rumbrook Park Improvement Master PLan. $200,000 was included in the 2006 capital budget.





IMPROVEMENTS IN OUR PARKS: A loop trail was constructed at Glenville Woods -a hikers guide is being prepared. Cabanasas Section E & H have been renovated at FV Park pool complex. New restrooms at Secor Park. Washington Ave park community garden renovated. Pocantico Park redesigned and landscaped. Exterior of E Rumbrook Park Utility Fitness Center building renovated. A new 55 and older adult softball league formed. 



HOLIDAY DECORATIONS: New holiday decorations on E Hartsdale Ave. Funding donated by Westachester Greenhouses.





HISTORIC PRESERVATION STUDY COMPLETED –by department of planning. 



COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF ZONING ORDINANCE–We hired BFJ Planning to commence a comprehensive review of our zoning ordinance.





COMMUNITY POLICING: THe Town Board voted to increase our police department by 3. We restored community policing at Fairview to its previous levels. We expanded community policing to serve Mayfair Knollwood. Serious crime continues to be at a historic low. The police expanded basic life support to enable EMTs to administer Epinesphrine and Albuterol (shock/respiratory).





9A Bypass: state officials agreed to  go out to bid for 9A bypass which will reduce traffic congestion in Greenburgh/Elmsford/Ardsley.





RIDGE HILL: We have been meeting with Yonkers officials and the developers of the Ridge Hill development to address traffic congestion/safety issues. The Yonkers City Council approved plans for the Ridge Hill development–3 million square feet of residential, commercial development on the Yonkers/Greenburgh border.





WEBB FIELD: The Town Board received a $97,000 federal grant to landscape Webb field. We finalized a contract with Ward Associates. Concrete walkway/landscaping around wall to take place in 2007. 



SIDEWALK POLICY: The Town Board approved a resolution directing me to propose a sidewalk policy. I complied with the request. The Town Board has not yet approved or acted on teh proposal. 



CYCLED FROM HARTSDALE TO DC TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR STEM CELL RESEARCH–I cycled to Washington from Hartsdale to raise awareness for stem cell research. Our group of over a dozen cyclists also raised funds for volunteer firefighter Lorraine Valentini who is paralyzed from the neck down due to a bicycle accident. Our group of cyclists met with Senators Hillary Clinton and Chuck Schumer in the capitol. Senator Schumer promised to wear a Team Lorraine wristband daily until stem cell research funding is approved by the Congress and signed into law.





AFFORDABLE HOUSING MAINTAINED: Manhattan Ave– The Town Board approved the sale of 3 affordable housing apartment complexes on Manhattan Ave and Oak Street. A one million dollar tax break request was withdrawn after our energy conservation coordinator, Nikki Coddington, was able to find energy conservation grants.  The Greenburgh Town Board approved a resolution creating an affordable housing committee, with Councilwoman Eddie Mae Barnes appointed as chair.





FUNDING FOR TZ BRIDGE STUDY: The Greenburgh Town Board voted to fund a $30,000 study of the impacts a new TZ bridge will have on the 287 Greenburgh corridor.





NEW STATE SENATOR–Greenburgh will be represented by a new State Senator. Andrea Stewart Cousins will replace Nick Spano as our representative in Albany.



 

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Skyliners, Spitfires Intro NYC to Synchro at The Pond Spreading Holiday Cheer.

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. December 21, 2006: The Skyliners  Junior Synchronized Skating Team of  The Skating Club of New York  and the Spitfires of the Springdale Skating Club in Stamford presented their synchronized skating programs at The Pond in Bryant Park last night at the spiffy rink before about 1,000 skater-spectactors, many seeing the sport for the first time. The girls from the Connecticut, Westchester and New Jersey and New York City took the train in with their parents to spread holiday cheer and the synchro “word,” by showcasing  the fastest growing phenomena in skating — synchronized skating.



Skating in The City: The Skyliners Junior Team  perform “Proud Mary” at The “fabulous” Pond in Bryant Park, Thursday night against the backdrop of, appropriately the New York Skyline and Empire State Building. Photo, WPCNR Sports


Both teams skated flawlessly, drawing ooh’s and applause for their intricate, barrier-challenging formations against the New York skyline —  despite the short rink–  showcasing and introducing their passion to many seeing it for the first time, the world’s only true team sport.  The Skyliners have been honored by being invited to skate at Governor-Elect Eliot Spitzer’s Inauguration in Albany, January 1 on the Albany Mall.



The Spitfires from Stamford Twin Rinks in Synchro-Motion! Photo, WPCNR Sports


 

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BID Proposes Tripling Budget (to $1.6M)–Seeks Partnership Expansion to Malls

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WPCNR DOWNTOWN NEWS. By John F. Bailey. December 21, 2006: The White Plains Downtown Business Improvement District, (“The BID”) proposed a tripling of its assessment budget Wednesday evening from its present budget of $575,000 to $1.65 Million Tuesday, to be accomplished by expanding the BID southward to Maple Avenue, West along Post Road to White Plains Hospital Center and West along Main Street to include The Galleria and and Eastward down Maple Avenue to include The Westchester, The White Plains Pavilion, Fortunoff and Bloomingdale’s.



NEW BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS PROPOSED. Slide demonstrating expansion of the Downtown Business Improvement District to the West, South and East, extending South to the Bloomingdale Road, Mamaroneck Avenue intersection. The Districts would include malls not currently in the BID. Photo, WPCNR News



 



Rick Ammirato, the Executive Director of the BID made a presentation to the Common Council proposing their blessing of the BID expansion. The new $1.65 Million in assessments that would be generated by the expansion of the BID to 57,345 square feet that would be generated by the BID formula applied to the property owners in the West, South and East sides of the city where they are eying expansion. Slide above shows “assessment” impact on different-sized properties.  “GFA” stands for Gross Footage Area and “LSF” stands for Linear Square Frontage (on street).


 


Hearing in February Perhaps.


Ammirato said that if the Council is amiable to the plan presented last night, that he hoped a public hearing on the proposed expansion would be held in February. At which time all property owners and interested parties could speak on their feelings about expanding the district. After the hearing, all property owners in the newly proposed BID Districts would be given the opportunity to vote on the plans or opt-out.


Ammirato noted that there are two ways the expansion of the districts would be defeated — if more than 50% of all property owners in the affected areas vote against it or if 50% of the largest Gross Footage Area owners voted against it. If that test is met, Ammiratto said the expansion plan goes to the New York State Comptroller for approval. Mr.Ammirato told WPCNR today that if any newly proposed districts defeated the proposal, the BID may redraw its plan to reconfigure to property owners who do wish to be in a BID District.


The new district would expand West along the South side of Main Street to the Train Station (including the Galleria), according to Ammirato, and West along East Post Road past White Plains Hospital Center, and South on Mamaroneck Road to the Bloomingdale Road intersection.


Would Enable BID to Expand Services


Ammirato aggressively outlined a new role for the BID which has limited its $675,000 budget to staging and managing city events to attract customers to the Central Business District such as parades, the New Year’s Eve celebration, a Taste of White Plains, and occasional events at Renaissance Plaza. as well as providing a 4-man sidewalk sweeping team to keep the downtown clean during daylight hours.


 



 


Ammirato said the expansion of the BID zone would enable the BID to hire 8 more street sweepers (a total of 12) to apply the BID clean streets campaign to the new areas the BID hopes to expand. Ammirato also said the new budget would enable the BID to buy diesel-powered “Green Machine” sidewalk sweeping machines that would triple the efficiency of the BID sidewalk sweeping team.


Jeffrey Sluman, of the BID said that Mr. Ammirato and members of the BID board would be approaching large property owners and small property owners in the new BID expansion areas if the Council approves, in January to convince the property owners of the advantages of extending the BID District for themselves as well as for the city.


Visions of the BID


According to Mr. Ammirato, the BID has great visions of what to do with the additional Million Dollars in budget generated by expanding the BID District.


He said the BID wants to program 14 weeks of events at Renaissance Plaza, plan a summer concert on Mamaroneck Avenue, hold a second Child Safety Day on East Post Road/ Lexington Avenue; generate a Holiday Shopping Promotion the day after Thanksgiving similar to that staged by Stamford. He also plans to continue the Small Business Seminar Series, recently initiated at the White Plains Performing Arts Center.


Paid Professional Ambassadors


Another initiative would be the creation of fulltime on-the-street, paid “Professional Ambassadors” for “High Pedestrian Traffic” areas in the city including the City Center, Renaissance Plaza, White Plains Hospital and the White Plains Metro Station, which he described as a very neglected area in terms of informing visitors to the city of what is going on in the city and where shopping, restaurants, and places to see.


Ammirato proposed the BID could also play a role marketing the city by “helping businesses move to White Plains, and serving as a “clearing house” for information on the city. He also wanted the BID to play a role in “Retail Recruitment” and to be “more aggressive recruiting quality retailers not yet represented in White Plains,” roles presumably traditionally centered in the Mayor’s Office.


Electric Signage


The BID also proposed electronic signage in the downtown area to promote daily events in the city, BID events, White Plains Performing Arts Center Events, even traffic flow information and public meetings.


Rita Malmud was the only councilmember to say this was a “good idea,” while the Mayor Joseph Delfino, dryly commented at one point, that the BID should ask him (the Mayor) for Free Parking, not Al Moroni the Director of Parking. The presentation was striking for the lack of questions asked by the council.



At the beginning of the administration, Mr. Ammirato explained that the assessment a property owner pays is determined by their gross square footage and their Linier frontage on the street added together.


He pointed out that by far the larger share is paid by the larger property owners siting the example below.



In seeking to expand the BID District, Ammirato said the goal was to bring the city’s major malls, The Westchester, Fortunoff, The Westchester Pavilion, and The Galleria into the BID assessment, as well as expand BID services to West Post Road, and southern Mamaroneck Avenue.


The plan apparently will be thought about by the Common Council, which is being asked to endorse the plan.


The involvement of the BID in marketing the city as proposed last night is a new role that would have to reconcile policies and responsibilities with the relatively low profile City Economic Development Department. The City Economic Development Department under the operation of Melissa Lopez operates on an interactive basis with commercial entities contacting the city, pursues strategies and creates events, and distributes brochures extolling the advantages of the city, and promotes the city in occasional one-shot campaigns. There is no overall city marketing campaign or direction such as “I love NY” for example.


 


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Bookkeeping: Proton Beam off agenda. Bank St. Hearing Set. Bond Refinancing

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WPCNR Common Council Chronicle-Examiner. December 21, 2006: Rita Malmud questioned Mayor Joseph Delfino why the renewal of the New York Presbyterian Hospital special permit to build a proton accelerator/biotech lab complex was not on the agenda for January 2. . The Mayor testily said he was not going to put extension of the permit on agenda  because he felt the New York Presbyterian Hospital needed some time to regroup after the council rebuffed the 6.5 acre park/subdivision Memorandum of Understanding by a 4-3 vote at the beginning of this month.


 


The Mayor challenged Ms. Malmud that she could put it on if she wanted to, but he was not going to do so. Ms. Malmud turned beetred, but did not challenge the Mayor and demand the renewal be put on the agenda, at least not last night.


 


****  The Common Council agreed to authorize the Commissioner of Finance to refinance the 2002 $16.7 Million remaining on the City Center garage loan last night. The move, should it be successful on the market in January would save the city, Commissioner Gina Cuneo-Harwood said $700,000.


 


**** The Council voted to set a public hearing on January 2 on the mysterious Bank Street Commons apartments project that would present a $16 Million windfall to the city in new funds for purchase of the commuter municipal parking lot on Bank Street in return for LCOR’s right to build two 23 story buildings and about 400 apartments. This story was leaked by City Hall to the Journal News by the Mayor’s Office last week, for which no details or designs have been publicly presented to this reporter’s knowledge. The sale of the municipal commuter parking lot privately, without putting it out for bid was not questioned by the council which considered the matter in the Mayor’s Conference Room before the press.


 


**** The Commissioner of Planning, Susan Habel briefed the Common Council on a zoning change that would bring a section along Old Mamaroneck Road into zoning conformity to the R1-7.5 zone, (7,500 square feet building) to avoid the future possibility of a string of properties being acquired to build a cluster of homes under 7,500 square feet that would be out of character with the neighborhood. Ms. Habel said the Planning Department is looking for anomalies in various zones to bring them into conformity.

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