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 PRESS BOX. By “Hardwood” Bailey. December 27, 2006: White Plains High survived the pinball rims of the County Center this afternoon, defeating Cardinal Hayes High of The Bronx, 55-46 in their opener of the 2006 Slam Dunk Tournament when nothing was falling except Jamal Cromartie’s free throws which iced the game.

“Mr. Elegance,” Sean Kilpatrick(23)  taking a baseline pass from Rashad James (1), has just put up an uncontested backdoor layup to make the score 39-34 in the opening minute of the 4th quarter to give the Tigers the backbreaker bucket. Photos, WPCNR Sports

“The Crow” Picks them off — Jamell Cromartie, fouled five times in the 4th quarter sunk 9 of 10 from the line for the final 55-46 margin.

The uneasy contest, which waited for someone- anyone to get hot all day turned on  three backdoor plays at the close of the third quarter by Spencer Smith,  Jamell Cromartie and Spencer again with seconds to go staked WP to a 37-34 lead at the three quarter mark. Sean Kilpatrick, missing in action through half the third due to 2 personals in the 1^st quarter, took a  cross court no-look pass from the left point  as he was flying unguarded down the right lane on the backdoor from Rashad James in the first 30 seconds of Quarter 4 to make the lead 39-34 with 7:30 to go in the game.

With the Cardinals over the 10-foul limit in a foul-pocked game (40 personals of the ticky-tack variety were called) , the Cardinals kept fouling the best free throw shooter on the planet, Jamel Cromartie who sank 9 of 10 free throws in the Bonus situation to put the contest out of reach.

The Cardinals’ three-point eyes were way off, shooting under 40% for the first half and unofficially matching that futility in the second half, putting in only 21 points in the second half.  The Tiger percentage was not better. The ball would not drop today for either team, consistently jouncing around on the livewire County Center rims that reverbed the shots like pinballs.

The Tigers allowed a series of uncontested three-pointers by Randy Garcia in the second half to bring Cardinal Hayes to a 25-25 tie at the half. Had the Cardinals’ eyes been on, the Tigers could easily have lost this one.

THE TIGERS ‘MOZONE” — Third Quarter Turnover City. Randy Garcia, Hayes long range bomber could not hit 3s and penetrations were collapsed.

The Tigers played a more “MOZONE”  coming out and challenging shots to hold Hayes to 9 points, and cause by unofficial count about 5 turnovers in the third alone setting up the late third quarter-early fourth quarter mini-breakout that eased the game out of reach at 43-36.

The Tigers record moves to 6-0 on the season and they will play Woodlands Thursday afternoon at 4:30 at the County Center as the 2006 Slam Dunk Tournament continues.

Woodlands defeated Uniondale of Long Island, 45-36; Xaverian defeated New Rochelle, 53-45 and Pelham downed Lakeland, 46-41. Stepinac defeated Peekskill 73-69.  Stepinac plays Xaverian at 8 PM Thursday, in the winners bracket. Uniondale plays Cardinal Hayes at 11:15 AM and New Ro plays Peekskill at 1 P.M.

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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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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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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. 

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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