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WPCNR EASTENDER. From Department of Recreation & Parks. June 7, 2005: The annual White Plains fireworks celebration will be held June 30, Thursday evening, with a raindate scheduled for the next evening, July 1. The Celebration is held annually at White Plains High School from approximately 6:30 PM to 10 P.M.
The White Plains July 4 Fireworks, 2004. Photo, WPCNR News Archive.
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WPCNR CAMPAIGN 05. June 7, 2005: Dennis Power, the Democrat Candidate for Mayor announced to WPCNR today he will hold a news conference Friday at 1 P.M. at Druss Park in the Highlands to declare formally the themes of his campaign, introduce his “Power Team.”
Meanwhile Cass Cibelli announced today from White Plains City Hall that he will hold his campaign kick-off on
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WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. June 7, 2005: The Common Council voted unanimously Monday evening to approve ASB Capital Management to build an 86-Unit Condominium on the Church & Barker corner two blocks north of City Hall. Two neighboring residents, who reside in 40 Barker Avenue said they appreciated how ASB Capital Management worked with them to add more landscaping and restrict entry and egress to the Church Street frontage. The building will be 13 stories high. ASB Capital Management will pay $460,000 into a newly created city housing down payment fund, (created by a resolution on the consent agenda) to satisfy ASB’s obligation to build affordable housing units as part of the project.
Mayor Joseph Delfino Congratulates Joseph Siegel, architect for the Church Street Hamilton Condominiums approved Monday evening. Photo by WPCNR News.
GOIN’ UP: A closer look at the Church Street-facing front of the architect’s rendering. Siegel said the building will have more glass, higher ceilinged apartments, a health spa, a library, and parking entrance and excess at lower right. Photo by WPCNR News
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WPCNR BACKROOM BULLETIN. By John F. Bailey. June 7, 2005: A letter from Democratic Mayor Nominee Dennis Power to Democratic City Committee District Leaders, which many received Monday, asking District Leaders for their support at Monday evening’s meeting, would appear to indicate that Mr. Power knew he had the City Committee Nominating Committee nomination for Mayor, two days before Ron Jackson, the “Last Activist,” was interviewed by the Nominating Committee Sunday, June 5.
District leaders received Mr. Power’s letter today, indicating that the Nominating Committee was not giving Mr. Jackson’s avowed candidacy serious consideration when they interviewed him, and, he feels, only him Sunday afternoon.
Mr. Jackson charged to WPCNR Monday evening that the Nominating Committee and the Democratic Party “played” him when they scheduled him for an interview Sunday. It will be recalled as first reported by WPCNR that Mr. Jackson announced he would run for Mayor, when the Nominating Committee informed District Leaders they could find no “qualified” candidate to nominate for Mayor. It was at that point Mr. Jacson said he would run in the best interest of the Democratic Party.
Dennis Power, Democrat Nominee for Mayor, May 2, 2005. Photo, WPCNR News Archive.
The Power Letter: The June 3 date would indicate Mr. Power knew at least Friday, he would be receiving the Nominating Committee endorsement, before Mr. Jackson was interviewed Sunday afternoon. Photo by WPCNR News
The way Mr. Jackson was interviewed, the timing of Mr. Power’s letter, and the way in which Jackson’s candidacy appears to have been dismissed as soon as Mr. Power became available marks the second time in three years that when given the chance to nominate a minority candidate, the Democratic Party has not had the courage to do so, or has not wanted to do so.
In May 2003, Eridania Camacho Quinn was encouraged to run for the council by Democrat leaders, and presented before the Nominating Committee. She was rejected in favor of Arnold Bernstein, and was nominated on the floor of the nominating convention and was defeated.
This year, no one even wanted to run for Mayor because they were afraid of Mayor Delfino’s popularity: Bill Ryan, Rita Malmud, Tom Roach, Benjamin Boykin, Glen Hockley all rejected a run, and did not even volunteer to run against Mayor Joseph Delfino.
When Mr. Jackson did, as first reported by The CitizeNetReporter, suddenly, Mr. Power surfaced to co-opt the Jackson initiative. Mr. Power told WPCNR Sunday evening, it was because of job-related matters uncertainty that he had delayed his decision to run.
In that Camacho Quinn bid for a council seat, Ms. Quinn was dismissed, Nominating Committee members said, because she was unfamiliar with the issues. Mr. Jackson, on the other hand has been in the forefront on the White Plains Housing Authority Headquarters issue, the Juneteenth parade, and in pushing for minority hires on city construction projects. He is not unfamiliar with any issue. He just may not be what the Democratic Party has in mind.
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WPCNR BACKROOM BULLETIN. By John F. Bailey. June 6, 2005: The Democratic City Committee held its nominating convention Monday evening at the YWCA and its District Leaders voted to nominate Dennis Power to run for Mayor of White Plains. Ronald Jackson the other contender, who was denied the recommendation Sunday by the City Committee’s Nominating Committee, who expected to have his name placed in nomination on the floor, told this reporter that two persons who had said they would nominate him did not show up for the meeting.
Missing from the meeting held opposite the Common Council meeting and the County Board of Legislators meetings were leading city Democrats Arnold Berstein, Rita Malmud, Tom Roach, Robert Greer, Benjamin Boykin, and Glen Hockley, as well as Bill Ryan the County Legislator for District 5.
Jackson told WPCNR he has decided to primary Mr. Power for the Democratic Mayoral nomination on Primary Day in September, and would be collecting 1,000 signatures to get on the ballot for that Primary.
Jackson, who described himself as “furious,” said “It is evident in America that Black people are afraid to stand up. Were they bought out for 12 pieces of silver? Or were they afraid? All of my life I have walked in his light, and I will continue to do so.
Jackson said that party leader, Liz Shollenberger, according to his information, did not even thank him for standing up to run for Mayor, when no one else would. “They put me through a performance without even giving me a reason why they would not run me. Even in school, when they left me back, the teacher gave me my marks. They did not tell me what my marks were.”
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WPCNR PRESS BOX. Special to WPCNR from Shannon Logan. June 5, 2005: The New York Juggernaut finished up a four game sweep of
Hometown Girl Makes Good: Westchester and Katonah’s and Hofstra’s own Alicia Smith drove in the winning runs for the New York Juggernaut today at Hofstra Softball Stadium . Photo, WPCNR News Sports Archive.
The game was scoreless until the fourth inning. Trena Peel led off the inning with an infield single. Jodie Cox followed with another bunt single through the infield. Peel tried to score on the play but was thrown out at home by Venezuelan right fielder Nidia Pineda. With Cox advancing to second on the throw home, Alicia Smith came through with an RBI single to left field to break the tie. Mariangee Bogado came on in relief for
The Juggernaut added an insurance run in the fifth inning. Smith tallied her second RBI on the day with a liner into center to score Peel from second.
The NY Juggernaut continues the home stand on Wednesday, June 8th when they host the New England Riptide at
FINAL SCORE
Score by Innings R H E
NY Juggernaut…000 110 X – 2 7 2
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WPCNR BACKROOM BULLETIN. By John F. Bailey. June 5, 2005: Dennis Power, former City Councilman, after playing the role of reluctant suitor, has been nominated unanimously (5-0) Sunday afternoon by the Nominating Committee of the City Democratic party as their choice to run for Mayor opposing Joseph Delfino. Previously, the Nominating Committee had informed Democrat district leaders they had found no “qualified” candidate to oppose the Republican strong man.
Dennis Power, former City Councilman, Democratic Hope, as he appeared at the Common Council meeting last month. Photo Capture from WPGA-TV, Channel 75, by WPCNR News.
Mr. Power, speaking to WPCNR Sunday evening said he was taking a leave of absence from his position with the Hudson River Museum in order to run for Mayor. Power said personal, family and other considerations had to be worked out, and that was why he had not openly accepted the nomination until now. Power reports he will be announcing a major press conference tomorrow evening and a fundraising event to begin his campaign.
Power told me his campaign against the Mayor would be “about people, about residences, about neighborhoods, and be a campaign of the people.”
Mayor Joseph Delfino of White Plains, Mr. Power’s Opponent. Photo Capture of WPGA-TV, Channel 75 by WPCNR News.
Ron Jackson, “The Last Activist,” who volunteered to run for Mayor in the absence of any other Democrat, was interviewed Sunday afternoon by the Democratic Nominating Committee for an hour and was given high marks by the committee for his grasp of the issues.
Ron Jackson, “The Last Activist,” right, as he appeared on White Plains Week last fall. Photo, WPCNR News Archives.
However, at the conclusion of the process, Mr. Jackson told WPCNR that the Nominating Committee told him that Mr. Power was found to be a “more appropriate” candidate.
Mr. Powell is expected to be officially nominated by citywide Democratic District Leaders Monday evening at a full meeting of the Democratic City Committee at the YWCA on North Street at 7:30 P.M. Monday evening . The City Committee meeting takes place at the same time as the Common Council meeting.
Mr. Jackson is not entirely out of the Mayoral picture. He told WPCNR tonight that Democratic District Leaders Darrell Jenkins and Ida Stuart have agreed to place his name in nomination from the floor, allowing him to be on the ballot for all the District Leaders to consider. Jackson told this reporter he had not decided whether he would run a primary to attempt to wrest the nomination from Mr. Power.
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WPCNR Downtown Dispatch. By John F. Bailey.
The report reveals that the committee is endorsing development of mixed use residential in the CORE area in the vicinity of the TransCenter, as well as conversion of office-use only properties into residential or mixed use.
The Committee, in addition, calls for the expansion of White Plains Hospital Center along Post Road, construction of extensive low and mid-rise housing along South Lexington Avenue and up Post Road to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Boulevard.
The committee of fourteen citizens who have been reviewing the 1997 Comprehensive Plan, have issued the report for public comment, which according to city hall sources will be available to the public Monday.
Assigns Heights in the Core Area:
Gentrification and
The CPRC’s recommendations give citizens ideas of what is in store for developing the Core Area of the city. Sweeping changes recommended by the Committee are:
1.. The CPC Committee endorses extensive redevelopment of
2. Around the corner from
The Report says the CPRC recommends the city “Develop low to mid-rise (height specified) transitional housing along the west side of
Affordable Housing Should be Expanded – be part of Buildings responsible for providing affordable units.
The CPRC Draft Report recommends making more “affordable housing” available to higher income levels, and advocate raising the percentage of affordable units any future developer would have to provide. From the Report:
1. “Affordable housing should be developed for a broader range of incomes, and the term “affordable” should be replaced with different terms that are tied to percentages of median income.”
2. “The goal should be to provide housing that is affordable to families at median income (approximately $80,000, ed. Note), and below. The City should make every effort to maximize the number of units to help the greatest number of families, and, to the maximum extent practicable, construct affordable housing in or in proximity to the buildings generating the requirement for the affordable units.”
Affordables in Core Area BUT could go elsewhere.
The CPRC advocates limiting this new stock of affordable housing to the Core Area but leaves the door open for locating elsewhere, as follows:
New affordable housing should be focused only in the Core Area and in the high density areas and corridors adjacent to the Core Area where allowable density will permit a greater number of units to be developed and not have negative impacts on the abutting neighborhoods.
Downtown should be madeover with boutiques.
The CPRC revives and endorses the boutique, specialty shop siren song of the past to augment the upscale businesses now existing in
No Position on
The Report does not comment on two big issues involving
It ignores the medical use zoning request proposed by the hospital in exchange for rezoning. It simply does not comment on it.
The CPRC apparently does not have a position on whether they would agree with developing the New York Presbyterian Hospital property into high rise and retail towers, if it were to result in acquisition of hospital land for a park should it be sold by New York Presbyterian Hospital, as has been reported to the CitizeNetReporter.
The Report addresses relatively minor
1. It recommends new development “be subject to a traffic management plan which will include considertation of traffic impacts on the adjoining streets and abutting neighborhoods.”
2. “In addition to the development process, the City acquire or obtain by easement, lease other means, additional open space on the property through the assistance of land trusts, the County, or other governmental or not-for-profit entities, or through other options for acquisition.”
The CPRC endorses setting aside land for a city owned park, but does not make any recommendation of how that park can be administrated or what uses the park would have.
St Agnes Hospital Development Recommended to be Limited in Height.
In another intriguing hospital related comment, the CPRC Draft Report notes specifically regarding the St. Agnes Hospital Property: “If any uses other than single family are developed, continued or expanded on the property, buildings should be sited or limited in height so that they do not alter the open space character of the North Street Corridor, and are not visually obtrusive to views from surrounding roadways or properties.”
These excerpts from the Comprehensive Plan Review Committee Draft Report on Land use in the Downtown and Neighborhoods show the “city’s thinking.” No sections are signed by any author. No names as to which of the fourteen citizen experts weighed in with these “recommendations.” However, the citizens of the committee who wrote these sections have done a massive job, though lacking in tightness and specificity.
The document is 55 pages long, covers a wealth policies, but the major issues of the report reference the CORE Area, which WPCNR has attempted to give readers a first glimpse. WPCNR suggests you contact City Hall’s Mayor’s Office at 422-1411, or the Planning Department for your personal copy.
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WPCNR SCREEN GEMS. June 4, 2005: The White Plains City Cable Commission has after what they have described as a nationwide talent hunt, awarded the position of Executive Director of White Plains Public Access Cable Television Commission to James Kenny. Kenny is leaving his position as Access Coordinator of Rye City Television to take over the White Plains cable television operations. Kenny was reportedly chosen over applications from persons from the CBS and NBC television networks.
Gary Stukes, longtime producer of White Plains Cable Television, right, at Executive Director Fred Strauss Retirement Dinner in May. Mr. Stukes will not succeed Mr. Strauss. James Kenny of Rye City TV will be Mr. Strauss’ successor. Mr. Strauss is at left. In center is John V. Taddei,Chairman of White Plains Cable Commission is in center. Photo, WPCNR News Archive
Gary Stukes, an African-American and longtime second-in-command to Fred Strauss, the former Executive Director of White Plains Public Access Cable Television, was recommended by Mr. Strauss as being the best person to assume the Executive Director position. Mr. Stukes was told Friday, according to WPCNR’s informant, that he would not be hired.
The decision comes one week before White Plains celebrates the freeing of the slaves in 1865, with the first ever African-American Juneteenth parade.
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WPCNR PRESS BOX. Special to WPCNR from Shannon Logan. June 4, 2005: Jodie Cox picked up her second win of the season as the Juggernaut extended its win streak to three games with a 3-2 win over the Venezuelan National team at Hofstra Softball Stadium in a Saturday Twilight Game. Cox had six strikeouts in four and two-thirds innings before giving way to Peaches James. James earned the save going two and a third innings picking up two strikeouts. It was the third straight Jugs win to start the season, and they are tied for first place in the NPF.
The Juggernaut offense sparked early, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning. With two outs, Cox and Heather Scaglione had back-to-back walks off Venezuelan pitcher Hamange Bogado. Laura Taylor then hit a two RBI single to give the Juggernaut the lead. Kim Ogee followed with a single of her own, and an error by the right fielder on the play allowed Scaglione to score from second base. Three runs was all the Juggernaut defense needed to pick up another win against
Juggernaut go for Sweep Sunday.
Hempstead Supervisor to throw out First Pitch.
The NY Juggernaut concludes their opening series against
Town of
Play-by-Play of Sunday afternoon’s game will be internetcast worldwide on www.wrhu.org, the Hofstra University radio station internet website, and official New York Juggernaut Radio.
FINAL SCORE
Score by Innings R H E
NY Juggernaut….300 000 X – 3 4 0