Solid Gold! Skyliners Win Juniors at Cape Cod Classic in 5th Year.

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WPCNR RINKSIDE By “Edge”Bailey. December 10, 2006: The Skyliners, the tri-state figure skating team of the Skating Club of New York and the Windy Hill Skating Club of Greenwich, Connecticut won the Junior Division Gold Medal Saturday afternoon in the Cape Cod Synchronized Skating Class competition in Bourne, Massachussetts, in their third major competition of the season. The rewarding skate followed up their promising  debut in the Dr. Porter Classic in Ann Arbor Michigan last weekend.


 



Junior Skyliners Two Lines in the Spread Eagle Splice — Coming at Each Other at 20 MPH — At the Point of No Return in their spectacular Eagle Splice — Setting the Tone in their Poseiden Adventure Long Program Saturday afternoon. The Juniors (14-18) won their First Junior Gold Medal in the Cape Cod Synchronized Skating Classic Saturday. Photo, WPCNR Sports


It was a glorious competition for teams from the New York, New Jersey area all around, with the Skyliners teams finishing strongly in every division, Team Image from Yonkers winning the Intermediate Division, and the Syncroettes of Morristown, New Jersey winning the Juvenile Division.


 



The Skyliner Novice team –Pinwheeling.


 



 


In addition to the Skyliner Junior win (division for girls 12-18), The Skyliner Novice team (girls under 15) skating sharper with every appearance, show their crisp pinwheel (all with footwork in synch) and going at each other in  their Backwards Splice Lunge (below) (“The Bladesof Death”) finished a strong Silver to the Hayden (MA) Ice Mates’  Gold performance (See Photo below)  as one great Novice program after another was skated. Photo, WPCNR Sports


 



Hayden Recreation (MA) sassy Ice Mates — footwork perfect — skating to Gold in the Novice division to music from High School Musical. Photo, WPCNR Sports


 


 



The Skyliner Juvies — In their Tumultuous Cheerleading Program


 



 


America’s Peppiest Most Energetic Precise Skating Cheerleaders — The spectacular Skyliner Juveniles (under 13) (shown in the two pictures above) won the Silver Medal (to go with their two  first place “Golds” in the Plymouth Thanksgiving Classic and the Terry Connors Competition). The Syncroettes of Morristown New Jersey (shown below), just eased past the Skyliner “Pep Girls” with a precise flamboyant skate to Annie Get Your Gun where the girls showed such command and showgirlship that they captured the Gold. Photo, WPCNR Sports.



The Syncroettes Showcase! Photo, WPCNR Sports


 


 



 


Team Image from the Yonkers Figure Skating Club scored a “knockout” with their “Rocky”  program to win the Intermediate competition (girls under 16).  Here, Team Image is shown skating “Rocky” at the Plymouth Thanksgiving Classic last month. Photo, WPCNR Sports


 


 



Those Precocious Skyliner Prelimimaries skated to an amazing third straight Gold Medal in the Prelimary Team Division (Girls Under 10) with their jaunty, pridefilled program to “Anchors Aweigh”, shown here in an earlier skate this season at the Plymouth Thanksgiving Classic — their firstever competition skate — where they won the Gold Medal in a strong field.  Photo, WPCNR Sports.


 


The Cape Cod Synchronized Skating Classic  was the strongest showing yet turned in by  the trio of New York-New Jersey synchronized skating teams on the Eastern Synchro Circuit. The Skyliner, Syncroette and Team Image programs synchronized skating fans attending the Colonial Classic in Lowell, coming up in three weeks will have great skates, high level competition to see. The elevation of the effort, creativity and hard work so noticeable at the Dr. Porter and the Bourne competition foreshadows perhaps the most competitive synchro season in years. It gave further indicatin why synchronized skating is the fastest growing discipline in figure skating.


 



Juniors in their Spread Eagle Block in their Poseiden Adventure Free Skate Saturday. Their effort gave them their first Gold, to The Lexettes from Hayden Massachussetts who challenged and placed second in the Junior Division with their trademark impeccable elegance and execution  (below) Photo, WPCNR Sports


 



The Lexettes of Hayden in their spectacular pinwheel, Spread Eagle, in the Junior Skate. Photo, WPCNR Sports


 



Hard Work and Wanting to Get Better are What Synchro Preaches Most. Here, Team Delaware from the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club earned the Bronze Medal in the Junior Competition with their performance of the season so far, moving on up a tribute to the work ethic of skaters who would skate in sync! Photo, WPCNR Sports


 


The Skyliners Junior Team has skated in three competitions this year with the Junior team improving each time they take to the ice under the most complex and unforgiving scoring system in sports, the International.  every footwork move,  Choctaw and Mohawk and Twizzle, Bielman, rocker slice, and spread-eagle splice  is double checked against instant replay and if one skater is not executing “the move” simultaneously, the element (circle, pinwheel, splice) is not scored. Flying across the ice at 20 to 30 miles per hour on one blade up in your face, and no pads or face mask, synchronized skating has no margin for error. Just precision, concentration and nerve, baby, or look out!


 



The Skyliner Juniors in that Tina Turner Attitude, beginning their Short Program Friday evening.  The Skyliner Juniors are: Juliana Bailey, Mollie Barr, Nicole Battasglia, Cerene Belli, Heather Dillman, Laura Fayer, Alyssa Franco, Mary Halling, Deanna Jensen, Hannah Kasper, Christina Kyriakos, Christina Lee, Caitlin Lombardi, Kelsey Loveday, Emma Marr, Michele Noviello, Christine Salamone, Becky Schwartzman, Allegra Staples, Nikki Wylan. Photo, WPCNR Sports


 


 


 


In Friday evening’s Short Junior Program, the Juniors’ two and a half minute technical skate to Rolling on the River, the Skyliner Junior Girls executed their Circle, Line, block and wheel and intersection crisply with power and sass and Tine Turner attitude, following that up with a dramatic, dignified body language skate to The Poseiden Adventure Saturday afternoon for their first Gold Medal ever.


 



Skyliners “Nail” a Block in their Long. Photo, WPCNR Sports


 



Another View of the Skyliners Spread Eagle Splice Performed in their Short Program in the Plymouth Thanksgiving Classic. Photo WPCNR Sports


 


The Long Program, is required to display nine elements:  A block, a circle, two intersections, one line, one wheel, one Movements in Isolation, one No Hold Up step sequence and one split element. Their Spread Eagle splice in the long program performed about 40 seconds into the program set the tone.


 


The team skated up to the Spread Eagle splice this year – an intense gutsy splice introduced by Miami University of Ohio Senior National Champions last year – where you cannot pull out or change line direction or stance when passing through the line of girls coming right at you in similar stance – was pulled off at the highest speed they have ever done it, evoking shrieks from the 1,000 fans rinkside.


 



The Juniors Executing their graceful  “Group Spiral”. Photo, WPCNR Sports


 



Josh Babb, former Canadian Junior Ice Dance Champion, Skyliners Coach (with Jenny Gibson)  and Choreographer,  Director of Synchronized Skating for the Skyliners, was proud of his team for improving to the point where they were “getting all the calls” and improving their score 22 points over their Porter performance 5 days previously in Michigan. Photo, WPCNR Sports.


 


 Saturday the Skyliners  accomplished something at a high level the Juniors as a team had never done before, they skated to Gold. Each competition the work they have done has paid off in improved scores with one exception. At the Thanksgiving Classic in Plymouth, where they were one of two teams skating, they skated the Short to a 49.18 score. At Dr. Porter in Ann Arbor, they skated both their Short and Long together for the first time to a 117.46 score, finishing 5th of 12 teams in the Short, and 7 of 11 teams in the long.


 


After skating their Short Program for a 49.07 Friday evening for first, Saturday the Juniors lifted their Free Skate Long Program to a new level, 90.64, for a First Place score of 139.71. They got called (credited) for all their elements on the Long Program – the first time that has ever happened for the team. Now the goal is to bring that level of performance to the Colonial Classic in Lowell, Massachussetts next up on the Synchro Circuit on January 4-7.


 



Wearing Gold — A Once-in-a-Lifetime Feeling. Photo, WPCNR Sports


 


From competition to competition, practice to practice the team, the high school girls have concentrated, worked and pushed their hearts to get better in short and long programs in the intricate footwork and the all important posture and arm movements the merciless judges observe. In each competition they have skated better, adjusted mental attitudes to perform under pressure. In synchro you have one skate to be great. It is all about mind, body, heart, spirit and nerve being in, natural synchronization.   


 



 


Sisters on Ice: Team Delaware (Bronze Medalists) and The Skyliners congratulate each other. A testimony to the pride and sense of achievement that improved performance through work, pride, and determination synchronized skating offers. Photo, WPCNR Sports


 


As a souvenir shirt in Ann Arbor proclaimed: 


 


“Football, 4 downs


Baseball, 3 Strikes


Tennis, 2 Serves


Skating, One Chance.”


 


 



The John Gallo Arena– Home of the Bourne Cape Cod Syncronished Skating Classic. Photo, WPCNR Sports.


 


 

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Fire Department to Add Jaws of Life, Rabbit Tools to Cut Response Time

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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. From Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company. (Edited) December 11, 2006: Preferred Services Group and Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company has announced the White Plains Fire Department will receive an $8,990 grant for life-saving rescue equipment, the “Jaws of Life” and “Rabbit Tools”  to be used throughout the County through the Westchester County Mutual Aid system that provides rescue services on Interstates 287 and 684, Route 22, and the Hutchison River and Bronx River Parkways.   The grant will be presented to the city and fire department Friday morning.



White Plains Fire Chief Richard Lyman.


“Firefighters race against the clock to get victims to the emergency room within the ‘golden hour,’” points out Rich Lyman, White Plains Fire Department Fire Chief.  “Currently we are using a 25-year-old tool cutter but will now purchase the latest technologically-advanced rescue equipment that will enhance our department’s operational effectiveness and efficiency.   I want to thank Preferred Services Group and Fireman’s Fund for recognizing an essential need of our department and this community.”   Photo, WPCNR News Archive


Specifically, equipment purchased will include a “Jaws of Life” rescue tool used by emergency responders to cut through metal allowing them to safely and quickly rescue people trapped in motor vehicles as a result of an accident.  In addition, funds will purchase two “Rabbit Tools,” forcible entry pieces of equipment used for, among other things, gaining quick access to building interiors during emergencies. Remaining funds will go to the purchase of smoke detectors to be used in conjunction with the department’s Residential Public Education/Smoke Detector program, geared toward providing low-income families and senior citizens with detectors.


“As a White Plains-based company, the welfare of this city and county is of utmost importance to us,” states Ken Murray, vice president of sales & marketing for Preferred Services Group.  “This grant will provide critical pieces of equipment that will make this community a safer place in which to live and work.”

Preferred Services Group and Fireman’s Fund executives will come together for a grant presentation event taking place at City Hall with Joseph M. Delfino, Mayor of the City of White Plains, and other local officials in attendance, Friday, December 15 at 10 A.M.


The grant was funded by Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company, a premier property and casualty insurance company that also provides grants to fire departments through its Fireman’s Fund Heritage program.  Under the program, local agencies like Preferred Services Group that sell Fireman’s Fund products are able to direct grants to support local fire departments and the communities they serve.  Additional information about the program can be found at www.firemansfund.com/heritage.

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Feiner: Dobbs Ferry Hosp Makes Money; Why Close It? Notes Hearing Monday

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WPCNR’S THE FEINER REPORT. By Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner. December 10, 2006:

The NY State Assembly Health Committee will be holding public hearings on the Berger Commission report on hospital and nursing home closings this coming Monday at 11 AM at White Plains Library, 100 Martine Ave, White Plains. The committee is providing people with an opportunity to testify in person or via e mail. If you cannot testify in person you should e mail the Assembly at the following address: HealthHearing@assembly.state.ny.us.  This is the first time that the State Assembly is providing people with the opportunity to testify electronically. The ‘e hearing’ will enable the committee to hear from many more people than will be able to testify in person.


Oral testimony is limited to ten minutes in length. (Mr. Feiner will be delivering the following remarks:)



My name is Paul Feiner. I am the Greenburgh Town Supervisor. I appreciate the opportunity you are providing residents to testify in person or electronically about the Berger Commission’s Report on hospital and nursing home closings. The Community Hospital at Dobbs Ferry is vital and important to our community. I urge the State Assembly Health Care Committee to do whatever you can to save this very important hospital.


The Greenburgh Town Board unanimously approved a resolution at the December 4th Town Board meeting urging the state to save the Community Hospital at Dobbs Ferry. This hospital should not be closed. The hospital is profitable –in 2006 the hospital projects a profit of $625,000. From an operating margin perspective CHDF is the most profitable entity in the entire Hudson Valley region. The hospital is the lowest cost facility in its region. The average length of stay for patients in NY is 6.1 days versus a national ALOS of 4.8. The average length of stay at Dobbs Ferry is 4.4 days.  The hospital is also the fastest growing facility in the region –discharges have grown by 20% over four years. Referred ambulatory procedures have grown by 24.4% Ambulatory surgery volume has grown by 8% over 4 years. Emergency room volume has grown by 17% over 4 years.


The drive time from the river villages to Phelps, White Plains, the Westchester Medical Center & St. John’s Riverside Hospital is between 15-30 minutes. However, during busy times of the day the drive time more than doubles. A patient in cardiac arrest must reach the hospital within 8 minutes. The closest Emergency Rooms in other hospitals have waits of more than 3 hours or more. If the state closes the Community Hospital at Dobbs Ferry the 900 visits a month will have to be redistributed to nearby emergency rooms in other hospitals which are already overcrowded with extremely long waits causing further waiting times.


It makes no sense to close down a hospital that is making money and serves an important community need. I thank the Assembly Health Committee for providing concerned citizens with the opportunity to express their views on this important issue. Please do what you can to save this important community asset –a hospital known for its personalized attention, great service, excellent health care. When patients visit Dobbs Ferry Hospital they do not feel that they are numbers – they feel that neighbors who truly care about their health are doing whatever it takes to help them get better. This hospital is unique and very special.


The possible closing of this hospital has created a health care crisis in our Greenburgh community. I urge members of the Assembly to visit the Community Hospital at Dobbs Ferry before you make your recommendations. It’s difficult to appreciate the unique qualities of the hospital if you do not visit the hospital in person.


 

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Jamaican Chef, Delivers $1,000 to Help Westchester Autism Foundation

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WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. December 9, 2006: Allan Vernon, creator of Vernon’s Jerk Sauce when he heard of the plight of the Westchester Autism Foundation, which because of a delay in funding was in need of a cash infusion this month, Mr. Vernon stepped up in the spirit of the holiday season Friday, donating $1,000 to the Westchester Autism Foundation. Accepting the check was  Octavio Gomez, Vice President of the Foundation.



Councilman Glen Hockley, second from left, who helped deliver the “help in need,”  said he has stunned  by the number of residents of White Plains, whom he has learned have autistic children. When he heard that Arnold Streisfeld, second from right, a real estate attorney working with Allan Vernon of Vernon’s Jerk Sauce, Inc.  (far left),who is looking at opening a Jamaican restaurant in White Plains, Mr. Hockley advised Mr. Streisfeld of the Autism Foundation immediate financial aid. Mr. Vernon was very happy to come through in the holiday spirit. Mr. Gomez, center accepts the check (center), Anthony Russo, looks on. The ceremony took place at the Knights of Columbus clubhouse in White Plains. Photo, WPCNR Photorazzi.

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CITY SEEKING ADVERTISING REVENUE

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WPCNR NEWS COMMENT. By The WPCNR Editorial Advisory Committee. December 10, 2006: The White Plains Parking Department is seeking proposals from qualified vendors to sell advertising space on receipts dispensed by multispace parking meters. The city would benefit two ways. First, the vendor would have to supply the paper on which the receipts are printed, thus saving the city the cost of buying the paper. Second, the vendor would share with the city the money generated from selling the advertising. Proposals have to be submitted to the Parking Department no later than the close of business on Tuesday, Dec. 12. This is  a serious request by the city and the WPCNR Editorial Advisory Committee has some suggestions of who should apply:


 



 




At a recent meeting, the WPCNR Editorial Advisory Committee kicked around some other ideas the city might adopt in order to earn a bit of extra money by selling advertising.  Perhaps WPCNR readers have ideas of their own they could add to the mix.


 



  1. Sell ads on the back of actual parking tickets. This would be an ideal advertising medium for lawyers.
  2. Sell ads on parking meters. This would be ideal for, say, a fast-food restaurant which could advertise, “We’ll have you fed before the time on this meter runs out.”
  3. Place a fleet of toy sailboats in the downtown fountain and sell ads on the sails. This would be perfect for the downtown bars which could advertise, “Don’t drink the fountain water…drink what we serve at our bar.”
  4. Sell ads on the back of real estate tax bills. This might appeal to manufacturers of aspirin and other headache remedies.
  5. Sell commercials during recesses in the televised Common Council meetings. We haven’t yet figured out which categories of advertisers might be interested.
  6. Bottle White Plains tap water under the brand name: “Quarropas Springs Water — The Water of the Smokey ,Marshes the Weckquaeskecks, White Plains First Settlers” or “White Plains Water — New York’s Best Water from the Renaissance City — from the Pristine Taps of the White Plains Department of Public Works” — sell it for $3.99 a bottle.
  7. Sell ads on the  sides of Police Cars for Bail Bondsmen, Gun License Application Specialists, Handsfree Cellphone Devices, Radar Detectors.
  8. Sell advertising on city public reports  — (“Creative Accountant Swat Team — Everything’s an Asset — You too can show a surplus”)
  9. Sell display advertising on the Common Council, Planning Board and Zoning Board Agendas ( “It’s 11 P.M. Next time Let Deltoid, Lightly, Shifty and Smooth handle your proposal — We’re In Touch.” “Resolution Obfuscations While U Wait — Comfortably Seamless), you could even “billboard’ portions of the televised Common Council meeting (“Tonight’s Employee of the Month is brought to you by–“, “The Consent Agenda is Brought to You by –“) — or sell sponsorships of councilperson’s statements. (“The Councilperons’ statements on the MOU are made possible by…”)
  10. Sell bicycle shop ads on the White Plains Police Bike Patrol Bikes. “Bicycles Park Free in White Plains–Check Out the WPPD Pursuit Model this officer is riding at “2 Wheels Around the World.”
  11. Sell advertisements for smoke detectors, fire extinguishers on Fire Department trucks.
  12. Sell billboards for leaf mulchers, garbage disposals, shredding machines on DPW Trucks.
  13. Sell Landmark City Documents : “The Collected Legal Opinions of the White Plains Corporation Counsel,” “The Environmental Impact Statements of Our Time,” “The Common Council’s 25 Best and Worst Decisions — A Retrospective”

 

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SlamDunk Fest Features 16 Teams at County Center Over Holidays.

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. From Westchester County Department of Recreation & Parks. December 9, 2006: See some of the area’s best high school basketball match-ups and take a chance at the $1,000 Big Shot during the eighth annual Slam Dunk Challenge Basketball Tournament, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, December 27, 28 and 29, at the Westchester County Center in White Plains.


 



The White Plains Tigers, shown here tipping off against Lincoln Wednesday, a game they had won after the first 8 minutes, will be contending in the SlamDunk fest. Photo, WPCNR Sports


            This year’s three-day event is presented by Westchester County Parks and sponsored by The Journal News VarsityCentral.


            The Slam Dunk Challenge Basketball Tournament will showcase 16 of the best boys’ and girls’ high school basketball teams in the area, featuring some of the most exciting play of the upcoming high school basketball season. The following teams are participating:


 


BOYS’ TEAMS


Archbishop Stepinac High School, White Plains, NY


Cardinal Hayes High School, Bronx, NY


Lakeland High School, Shrub Oak, NY


New Rochelle High School, New Rochelle, NY


Peekskill High School, Peekskill, NY


Pelham High School, Pelham, NY


Uniondale High School, Long Island, NY


White Plains High School, White Plains, NY


Woodlands High School, Hartsdale, NY


Xaverian High School, Brooklyn, NY


 


GIRLS’ TEAMS


Minisink Valley High School, Slate Hill, NY
Our Lady of Lourdes High School, Poughkeepsie, NY


 



WPHS in action in action inthe second half Wednesday against Lincoln. Relentless in your face defense bullseye outside shooting and rugged rebounding by White Plains donminated the action. The Tigers notched victory one on the hardwood road. Photo, WPCNR Sports


 

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Only 6 DWI Arrests on Last 4 White Plains New Years. Thank Operation Safe Ride!

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WPCNR MAMARONECK Avenue Rambler. December 8, 2006 UPDATED DECEMBER 9, 2006: Operation Safe Ride, sponsored by Heineken USA, announced Friday by Mayor Joseph Delfino has contributed to a remarkable White Plains statistic: White Plains Police have made only 6 Arrests for Driving While Intoxicated on the last four New Years Eves.


Mayor Joseph Delfino, Westchester District Attorney Janet Defiore, Dr. Timothy Haydock of White Plains Hospital Medical Center, and Carole Sears, a victim of a drunk driving accident from Mothers Against Drunk Driving announced that Heineken USA would again be sponsoring and paying for Safe Rides via White Plains taxicabs for persons over 21, celebrating New Year’s Eve in White Plains who feel they should not drive home.


The program has been very successful in preventing drunken drivers from taking to the streets on the year’s number one party night. Last New Years Eve, 24 “Safe Rides” were given out. White Plains Police report that overnight from the evening of Dec. 31 to January 1, 2006, there was only Driving While Intoxicated arrest (plus the 24 Safe Rides which privented perhaps 24 would-be accidents from happening).


In the four years Safe Ride has been operating in White Plains, Police have made just 6 DWI arrests ( 1 in 05-06, 2 in 004-05, 2 in 03/04, and 1 in 02/03), according to the White Plains Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety, Daniel Jackson 



Last year 24 persons asked for vouchers available at restaurants and bars participating in the program. The Mayor pointed out that meant possibly 24 accidents had been prevented. Photo, WPCNR News



 


Ms. Sears harrowingly depicted her tragic experience as a victim of a drunk driver, how she came to, realizing the bones of her legs were sticking out, and her husband was trapped behind the wheel. She described how nurses in the hospital where she was treated kept telling her her husband’s progress, but that she never spoke with him again after they entered the hospital. She begged persons to consider the vouchers to prevent ruining a family’s life as her family life had been ruined. Photo, WPCNR News


Dr. Haydock told the experience of how he was about to treat a victim of an accident in the White Plains emergency room, only to discover it was the child of a neighbor of his, and he had to tell the neighbor of the child’s death. He said he has never forgotten it.



Tamara Moore of Heneken USA, sponsor of the program, said Heineken would be reviewing the program with some 30 White Plains establishments in coming weeks before New Years Eve, and said that bartenders and waitresses could suggest vouchers to patrons who have possibly had too much to drink as a courtesy.

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County Details How to Get Assistance with Heating Bills.

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Westchester County Department of Communications. December 7, 2006: County Executive Andy Spano announced today that once again with temperatures in the teens forecast for this weekend, that Westchester residents may qualify for financial assistance to help pay their heating bill this winter through the federally funded HEAP Program, administered by the Westchester County Department of Social Services,  which assists eligible low-income, elderly and disabled persons with their home-heating costs.  Qualified households can receive assistance this winter; the amount will vary depending upon what type of fuel is used and on whether heat is included in rent payments.


                  The Details:


“Last year, we were able to help more than 10,700 Westchester households,” Spano said.  “Although home heating costs are not expected to rise significantly this season, the cost is still prohibitive for many people, especially those on fixed incomes. I urge those individuals and families who qualify based on their income to apply for aid from the HEAP program.”


                  Last winter, Westchester households that qualified for assistance received a combined total of $1,377,901 from the program. Exactly how much will be available this year depends on how cold the winter is and how great the need is.


                  Temporary assistance customers whose cases were opened after September 9, 2006, as well as Food Stamp customers whose cases were opened after September 16, 2006 should contact their Social Services District Office if they wish to apply for HEAP.  Customers with cases open prior to these dates have had their HEAP eligibility automatically determined and do not have to file an application.


                                                                            


      Westchester residents who are not receiving Temporary Assistance or Food Stamps may apply for HEAP by calling one of seven local Community Action Program (CAP) offices, or by calling Westchester Community Opportunities Program, Inc. (WESTCOP) at (914) 592-5600.  


       In addition, the elderly, disabled and SSI recipients may receive assistance in applying for HEAP by calling the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services at (914) 813-6300.


         Households not receiving Temporary Assistance or Food Stamps may be eligible for HEAP assistance if their gross monthly income falls within the following range:


 


 








































Household Size

Gross Monthly Income


  1

 $1,764.00


  2

 $2,307.00


  3

 $2,850.00


  4

 $3,393.00


  5

 $3,936.00


  6

 $4,479.00


  7

 $4,580.00


  8

 $4,682.00


  9

 $4,784.00


10

 $5,050.00


11

 $5,475.00


 


 


          For more information on these levels, where you can get an application form or if you are facing a heat emergency, call the Department of Social Services HEAP line at (914) 995-5619. More information is also available on line at www.westchestergov.com and while applications can be printed out on line, most applicants will need to apply in person to present documentation as part of the application process. It is recommended that applications be completed and returned as soon as possible.


 

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Pearl Harbor Day: Out of the Sun

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Out of the Sun


 



The Arizona engulfed December 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor


 


Out of the sun on the quiet Sunday they came


Steel birds of death blazened with red suns raining fiery havoc on Battleship Row.


One by one, ruthless planes dove, destroyed to their nation’s shame


Thunderous explosions scattered fiery death on Sunday dawn glow.


 


Flames belched from bowels of stricken Arizona, America’s pride,


On Hicham Field pilots raced to planes to defend


As their birds were crippled on ground by Zeros’ glide


Gunners in turrets on ships floundering filled skies with flack’s din.


 


In search of carriers the marauders could not find


They ruthlessly strafed and bombed leaving Pearl


In smoking ruin, ships sunk, burned as raiders flew into the Sun


The day of infamy had been ignited in the Zeros’ swirl.


 



The Attack Begins 8 AM December 7, 1941


 


As America listened a world away, a somber FDR


Spoke of December 7 as ever a day that will live in infamy.


America must never forget that  Pearl Harbor Scar


When an unsuspecting America slept in complacency.


 


To the 2,403 who perished that day under merciless bombs


Hail of bullets,  the shatter of torpedos out of nowhere


America must remember forces against our freedoms


Relentlessly work always to surprise us with deadly bombs’ glare.


 


Vigilence is the price of freedom that must always be defended


Against those who would destroy our republic from within


As well as the dark forces in far off places we have offended.


But the answer is not curtailing freedom at home rather it to champion.


 


The USS Arizona rests in Pearl’s waters, bleeding the lives


Of her men through the eerie eternal oil slick that marks the rusting hulk


Beneath Pearl’s waters, the blood of free people leaks from the shadowy bulk.


Bleeding forever freedom’s spirit that lives again in lost lives remembered.


 


 

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Mr. Spin, Geof Thompson with Partners in Ballyhoo Celebrate 20

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WPCNR MADISON AVENUER. By John F. Bailey. December 7, 2006 UPDATED December 8, 2006: Take a couple of reporters who wanted to make a buck and noted a void when they saw one and then created a business that takes over an entire market and you have Geof Thompson, Liz Bracken and Dean Bender  founders and still champion caterers of cadence, cadre, and cache in Westchester County, Thompson & Bender, of course.


The glamorous trio celebrated their twentieth anniversary Thursday evening at a boffo affair, where you could mingle with the powerful, influential, and accomplished  at where else, The Trump National Golf Club in Westchester County, easily the event of the year. Meanwhile, what makes Thompson & Bender great?



MR. SPIN IN WESTCHESTER ON TOP OF THE COUNTY FOR A NIGHT: Geoffrey Thompson, Chair of Thompson & Bender on a tour of the City Center North Tower in March, 2004. Cappelli Enterprises is one of Thompson & Bender’s blue chip clients.  Photo by WPCNR News


 


Thompson & Bender Night:  The T & B Team, (L to R), Dean Bender, Liz Bracken-Thompson and Geof Thompson are lauded by Susan Tolchin, Assist to County Executive Andy Spano, who praised Thompson & Bender as the “Go-to” guys for public relations in Westchester County, while saluting them for “giving back” to the community. Tolchin praised T & B for their work on the Westchester Office of Tourism and Liberty Lines while announcing the team was going to handle promotion of the Empire State Games in Westchester pro buono. Photo, WPCNR Papparazzi.


 


 



The Thompson & Bender Organization. The most gracious, classy persons you can work with as a reporter. Photo, WPCNR Papparazzi.


Number one, Thompson & Bender returns all calls, personally, no matter who you are, the 25 or so T & B specialists treat every person who calls them with respect whether you’re Jimmy Breslin or John Bailey. This is important. They also return the calls on the same day, within the hour, unlike most media relationists in government and industry. They do not use voice mail or automatic answering on their phone system. Any company that does means “your call is not important to us.”(Companies take note of that.)


Thompson & Bender attempts to get you answers to a question the same day, and do not give you the typical snooty stuffy “We’re up here on Olympus and you’re not and maybe George will get back to you attitude” exhibited by media spokespeople and certain high priced Fifth Avenue flack agencies to the rich and famous. No matter how blunt the question or sensitive they are not offended by it, because they recognize good news questions when they get them.



T & B thank “a few close friends and relations at the grand ballroom of the Trump National Golf Club last night. The First Class Affair attracted Mayors, legal firms, developers, realtors, and clients and a clutch of media personalities saluting T & B’s 20 years. Photo, WPCNR Papparazzi.


 They do a top notch job with their materials. Fact sheets are always available with photos at events and news conferences which is appreciated. The materials are slickly prepared, too. In a usable, downloadable format, too. Another aspect of the T & B touch is they go out of their way to include special treatment, tours, which deliver more angles on a story.


Though Thompson & Bender delivers only good news for their clients the professional way they package it — not being tooooooo over the top in enthusiasm — and backing most releases with factoids that bolster their case — show a tenacious staff able to convince clients what is best for them to bring out positive news coverage. Thompson & Bender’s relentless efforts pay off in positive impressions and eventually result in community acceptance for controversial projects.


The earnest, just-right Thompson & Bender touch is soooo believable — it sells enough of the public on their client’s position. Thompson & Bender’s efforts have gone a long way towards providing positive acceptance of developments that have been flashpoints for community opposition, while their sensitive packaging of awkward situations eases the negative impact of critical news stories. This is a talent few public relations agencies have.


Unfortunately, not all clients listen to Mr. Thompson, who has, being a former reporter, a knowledge of how to package bad news in a positive way — that will soften the blow. Unlike most persons who deal with the press he does not view reporters as the enemy, but a challenge and he does not blithely tell outrageous blatant lies. (Note to press spokespeople: the fastest way to not get the coverage you want and the treatment you want is to lie blatantly to a reporter once. The secret is to say you do not know, you do not think so, you will clarify it, or go off the record and explain the situation. That softens the story.)


When Messrs. Thompson and Mr. Bender and Ms. Bracken work events they are staging for clients — the events usually go off like clockwork — and engender an air of casual elegance, of importance not just a staged event. Events are never in bad taste. Humor is eschewed. They also are always glad to see you and make it a point of making socialities and giving reporters little inside bits. We are suckers for being treated nicely, since we seldom are — and though I know that — it still works wonders.


They also know everybody and connect clients new to the county with the right persons to know. Bender, Bracken and Thompson and the likeable professionals who work for them are the nicest aspects about covering Westchester County. Because they are the kind of persons they are, they get people to treat their clients a little better in stories than they would otherwise be treated — which is what public relations is all about.


Congratulations to Thompson & Bender! Geoff — it’s time for you to write a book on the spin business — may I suggest: Hello, this is Geof Thompson That simple direct earnest leading edge of importance signature greeting is Mr. Thompson’s best asset: direct, important, earnest, with an air of conspiratuality to it, when he descends down to Geof ThompSON the way he says it….demonstrating a subtle deference to you, and acknowledging you as important.


20 more years!

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