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WPCNR POST ROAD REPORTER. From White Plains Hospital Center. April 19, 2005: White Plains Hospital Center is announced Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton will speak at the Hospital’s annual meeting Monday. The Senator is expected to discuss some of the challenges facing the health care industry. She will speak at noon, Monday, April 25 in the Physicians’ Parking Lot, Maple Avenue, White Plains.
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WPCNR TRAFFIC ADVISORY. April 19, 2005, UPDATED 5 P.M. E.D.T. More Pix Included: The Mitchell Place, South Broadway tieup created by the exiting of cars from the City Center Garage through United States Bank’s drive-through plaza to Mitchell Place was cleared by 3:45 P.M., apparently after the cross bar of Trump Tower’s giant construction crane was lowered to the Martine Avenue staging area.
The dismantling of the City Center Trump Tower construction crane was blocking Martine Avenue traffic for the second straight day this afternoon as of 12 noon to 3 PM. Traffic was being routed out of the City Center Garage across Martine through the United State Bank driveway onto Mitchell Place.
Motorists exiting the City Center Garage told WPCNR they had been waiting for an average 15 minutes inside the garage and traffic was backed up several levels of the garage.
In addition, traffic was backing up one block on North Broadway and bumper to bumper on Mitchell Place, as well as bumper to bumper on East Post Road. The crane is scheduled to be dismantled tomorrow. But traffic will be tied up until the end of the week observers said.
Traffic Existing City Center Garage Today, 1:30 P.M. E.D.T. Photo by WPCNR News.
Red Crane: “Shall We Dance?” PlatinumBlonde Crane: “Tear Me Apart, Handsome!”
HRH Construction dismantling of the white construction crane created an usual backup into the City Center Garage Tuesday afternoon. There is no word on how long this lofty romance will last, tying up Martine Avenue. Photo by WPCNR News.
Red Crane’s Hunky Package prevented traffic from passing through Martine Avenue Created a quandry for motorists existing City Center Parking Garage. Photo by WPCNR News.
Motorists WPCNR interviewed spent as much as 15 minutes inside the lowdomed City Center Garage in carbon monoxide fumes to get out into the sunshine, reminiscent of existing a Yankee Stadium garage. Within minutes of WPCNR reporting on the situation, the situation was alleviated within the hour. Photo by WPCNR News.
Traffic being routed past United State Bank onto Mitchell Place, which created a Mitchell Place back up below. Photo by WPCNR News.
Mess on Mitchell Place from entering traffic through United State Bank driveway. Photo by WPCNR News.
Sluggish North Broadway Traffic at Martine Avenue. Photo by WPCNR News.
North Broadway bottleneck at Mitchell Place Today, caused by City Center Garage Rerouting. Photo by WPCNR News.
Icky on East Post Road: The City Center feed onto Mitchell Place was causing sluggishness and stop and go traffic on East Post Road, while “Red Crane” was putting a move on “PlatinumBlonde Crane” in the blue sky above. The traffic lessons learned today should be considered when the water main construction disrupts Martine Avenue as early as next week. Photo by WPCNR News.
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WPCNR TRAFFIC RAPPER. By John F. Bailey. April 19, 2005: White Plains got a taste of what it will be like when Martine Avenue is partially obstructed for new water main installation within two weeks, yesterday when HRH Construction took most of the day to remove the construction crane from the Trump Tower worksite. The closure was not due to water main construction beginning, as WPCNR had assumed since there was no notice of closure on the City website and Commissioner of Public Works Joseph Nicoletti had said the street would be partially closed beginning in April.
I have a simple suggestion. How about widely publicizing major road closures and lane restrictions on the city website, daily meetings, and on telephone hotlines either at the Department of Public Safety, the Traffic Department, or the Mayor’s Office. The Department of Recreation and Parks does this with rainouts for the White Plains Little League, which actually communicates better than the city, and no one pays them. Perhaps the Little League could take over communications from the Mayor’s Office since they are too busy not communicating things like the Comprehensive Plan Review Committee process for example.
Meetings Could Be Disclosed, Too!
Speaking of meetings, not every concerned citizen has the time to drive by City Hall and read the City Hall Bulletin Board which lists the regular meetings. Regular meetings are posted on the city website–but deep in the site– not on the front page where they should be. I wonder why?
Speaking of the traffic situation yesterday, David Maloney, a spokesperson for the Mayor’s Office informed WPCNR at midday that HRH Construction had notified the residents of Martine Avenue of the street closure between 6 AM and 7 PM. Maloney said the water main work on Martine Avenue might begin as early as next Monday or within three weeks and would not last 3 months, as Commissioner Nicoletti had indicated at a recent work session.
A WPCNR reader also reported there is another obscure entrance to the City Center Garage just off North Broadway Southbound at midblock between Main Street and Martine Avenue, but it is a sharp right and more an alley than an entrance. The city appears to discourage that since a large orange sign directs southbound North Broadway traffic to Post Road.
Of course, to maximize the sales tax in the crucial fourth quarter, WPCNR would not be surprised if the water main construction was delayed until July 1, so as not to interfere with spring retail sales at the City Center “financial heartbeat” of the city. We know that the Department of Public Works always runs into delays on their projects. (The Bryant Avenue- Shapham Place garage is now four months late. If the DPW takes more than three months to do the water main on Martine, I think it just might, just might hurt City Center sales traffic.)
Hello? Is anybody thinking or working in the Mayor’s Office? Hotlines please!
Residents could plan around traffic and street issues and closures better if the city would put up on the front page of their website or on the Department of Public Safety website an alert box, or by setting up a recorded announcement of closures and traffic situations on a repeating telephone message at the beginning of each week.
Spending thousands in technology for the city website and for communications and media and “policy” personnel is a waste of taxpayers money if the city does not update the website daily and use “hotline” technology to keep citizens informed.
To this end, WPCNR suggests the city install a “looping” Traffic Hotline, a “looping” City Meetings Hotline, and also post Traffic closures in a front page box on the city website, and daily meetings of City Hall departments and work sessions in a front page box on the website.
The Traffic Department could prepare the Traffic Hotline…with a simple answering machine setup. Or, the Department of Public Safety could handle it. The meetings, again, one of the Mayor’s Office’s phalanx of “media” and “communications” and “policy specialists” could prepare a meetings hotline daily. Or, how about a “Welcome Mat” box on the site, welcoming whatever movers and shakers are walking into city hall that day to make decisions affecting the city.
Just a friendly suggestion, because we know the city wants the citizens to participate and know what is going on, don’t we?
Those are simple fixes from a reporter that thinks, for what right now is a very user-unfriendly city and are no-brainers. Unless, of course, the city wants to give the impression it is communicating, but actually make the communication inaccessible such as not making Commissioners of city departments available in a timely manner, for simple calls from the media. Perish the thought! What could I be thinking of? In White Plains, no way!
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WPCNR PRESS BOX. Special to WPCNR from a White Plains CitizeNetReporter. April 17, 2005: It was a pleasant sunny afternoon in
But there was nothing little about this game. The fans were lively and the crowd was large. Leadoff batter Chris Mentrasti singled to center, stole second and moved to third on a ground out. But Riss came up with a big strike out and a popup to retire the next two batters without giving up a run. Massaroni promptly fanned the first two
Riss breezed through the top of the third, but the bottom of the third was looking like déjà vu all over again. A leadoff double, this time by Morello started things off for
The top of the fourth began with a bunt base hit by Michael DeRentiis. But a grounder to short, a pick-off at first base and another grounder to short quickly ended the inning.
Riss came out to pitch the top of the fifth, and although he thought the strike zone was very small this game, he had been his usual self, living on the corners and not giving up a walk. After striking out the first batter on four pitches, Riss finally gave up a walk to the next batter. Then Triolo came up and took a called strike and fouled off a pitch. He was down no balls and two strikes. But he battled back, fouling off 5 pitches in a very good at bat, and eventually he earned a walk. With two runners on and one out, the number nine hitter in the order, Brian Pisano, came up. He connected with a fast ball right off the outside corner of the plate and drove the ball deep to right, that right field Matt Taft had a beat on as he ran full stride toward right center where it looked like he was about to make a running backhand catch. But as Taft made a great athletic move to get to the ball, he also met the outfield fence. At full speed he flipped head over heals over the fence and landed hard on the ground on the other side of the fence without the ball. Stepinac had just closed the gap to 4 – 3. Riss went to a full count on the next batter and walked him. Coach Galligani then brought in Matt Zettl to relieve, as the crowd gave Riss a strong ovation for a fine pitching performance. A caught stealing and a strike out promptly ended the top half of the inning.
In the bottom half of the fifth, White Plains was able to chase Massaroni. A walk, and infield single, another walk and single, began the damage. Then junior Keith Lazere, who was just inducted into the National Honors Society this week (
Stepinac fought back for a run in the sixth, but did not want to die easily in the seventh and final inning. Two walks and a single brought the tying run to the plate. A sacrifice fly then made it 8 – 5. Then DeRentiis smacked a single to drive in two more runs. He advanced to second on a wild pitch. He was the potential tying run. After an intentional walk to set up a force, Zettl walked the next batter. With the bases loaded and one out, another single put Stepinac in the lead 9- 8.
Stepinac brought in senior Bobby Russo to close the game. He induced a ground out to shortstop. Then lefty hitting Mike Bevis lifted a high twisting fly to left field with so much spin that it kept spinning away from the fielder until it landed for a double. Zettl worked a walk, and then Lazere hit a frozen rope to left that only allowed the runners to advance one base. Russo struck out the next batter so that it was now bases loaded, two out, and captain Gary Morello at the plate. Two quick strikes put Morello in the hole, but he laid off the next four pitches to earn a walk and an RBI. With the game tied, Coach Galligani called out that he wanted Joe Danyo to hit. Danyo had been sitting all day, but promptly drilled a grounder up the middle. The Stepinac second baseman made a diving stop and a quick flip to second base, only to find the speedy Morello already standing on the bag. Danyo had just driven in the winning run and was mobbed by his teammates.
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WPCNR PRESS BOX. April 16, 2005: The White Plains Little League Opening Day Parade marched down Gedney and into Gille Field today with thousands of players and parents marching and watching, and staying for the Little League picnic and fundraiser on the vast Gille Field complex, followed by two Opening Day Games of the Major Division Boys and Girls. WPCNR estimates the crowd at approximately 4,000 young and old ballplayers who remember.
Stream of Humanity: Boys & Girls of the WPLL march up Gedney Way passing one of the proud sponsors of the parade, Sam’s of Gedney Saturday morning lead by America’s Favorite Mayor, White Plains’ Joseph Delfino, (center), and Councilman Tom Roach, left, and Councilwoman Rita Malmud. All playing divisions marched featuring teams, players and parents. The Parade was organized by Lisa Fee and Tom Lineman, and parade marshall, Chet Gottshall got all off smartly on schedule, via walkee-talkee. Photo by WPCNR Sports.
Love those T-Ballers Learning the World’s Greatest Game. Photo by WPCNR Sports
The Minors Girls on Parade. Outback Steakhouse’s Minor Girls’ team passes another major sponsor Sam’s of Gedney Way (shown in background), Super Stop N Shop and RC Cola donated food drink for the festive picnic that followed. The sponsors who support the Little League along with the close to 100 White Plains businesses, individuals, and organizations who sponsor the teams turn out every year to make the first day of Little League big league. Proceeds go to support the Little League operations to improve Gedney Field and facilities. Photo by WPCNR Sports.
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WPCNR ADAM IN ALBANY. By Assemblyman Adam Bradley. April 15, 2005: New York citizens have scored another victory in the bipartisan budget process today. We passed the first on-time budget in 20 years, but it wasn’t just an on-time budget, it was a budget that made the right choices for our children and families. Now, the governor has joined the legislature and made the right choice by not vetoing school aid.
“This means that $26.6 million in operating aid will be sent to schools in the 89th Assembly District, which is $787,000 more than the governor initially proposed in his budget. Additionally, our timely actions will allow school districts to know how much funding to expect and allow them to plan appropriately for their own budgets. I am very pleased that I was able to help obtain $15 million in capital funding for SUNY Purchase, which the Governor did not veto. These funds were necessary for the maintenance of the college campus.
“Working together we can and will accomplish great things for the children and families of New York. This year in a bipartisan manner we were able to accomplish what was best for all New Yorkers.”
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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. From Michele Schoenfeld. April 15, 2005: White Plains Middle School recently inducted ninety-four students from both the Highlands and Eastview campuses into the National Junior Honor Society during a ceremony being held on April 13 at the Highlands campus auditorium. To receive this recognition, students demonstrated excellent scholarship by achieving at least a 92% average in all their courses during 6, 7, and 8th grades, as well as meeting Citizenship, Character, Service, and Leadership requirements.
The students include: Alexander Aguero, Matthew Altieri, Gina Aufiero, Thomas Bastone, Evelyn Berger, Meghan Betram, Sandra Bonilla, Melissa Bosmediano, Victor Brady, Miguel Camargo, Meaghan Carnevalla, Jessica Chavez, Joseph Costabile, Katelyn Costable, Caroline Couzens, Michael Dapice, Danielle Delfino, Andrea DeMarco, Laura De Marte, Gabrielle Durante, Alison Fairhurst, Steven Falzerano, Isabella Fante, Tiffany Figueroa, Rachel Fishkis, Megan Fitzmaurice, Mary Fitzsimmons, Christopher Fontas, Kevin Garrett, Cameron Glass, and Evan Goldstick.
Also, Jackie Gottshall, Anshu Mehrajani, Janelle, Herelle, Joe Hernandez, Melissa Hidalgo, Benjamin, Himmelstein, Laura Hollahan, Jupiter Kazeminejad, Emma Lagle, Becky Lange, Cecelia, Lemus, Sarah Lorden, Timothy Luistro, Fernando Luo, Jennifer Maccarone, Ryan Madden, Emily Majsak, Celina Mariano, Maia Matshushita, Jacqueline McDougall, Rachel McHale, Mikhail Minevich, Mredith Morfopoulos, Edward Morrissey III, Matthew Murphy, Rebecca Neubardt, Samuel Neuspiel, Oanh-Nhi Nguyen, Shannon Nicholson, Phillip Nobile, and David Noel.
Also, Benjamin Oppenheim, Casey Oronzio, Laura Pandolfo, Daniella Parra, Petergale Patterson, Jacob Paul, Miriam Pedraza, Stephanie Perez, Jessica Pizzarello, Tessa Rabinowitz, Christopher Rahimi, Lindsay Ryan, Brianne Santa-Donato, James Sayer, Deborah Scharbach, Elizabeth Scherer, Keren Schieber, Madeline Schroeder, Scott, Schwartz, Katherine Smayda, Audrey Silverman, Stephen Sorrow, Julia Streifeld, Danielle Sturdivent, Amgelica Tahara, Michael Tenore, Minuse Thelusma, ZaraTillem, Makenzie Thompkins, Daniel VanBergen, Shamique White, Jessica Widera.
Mr. Alton Woodman, retired White Plains Middle School educator who taught many of these students as 6th graders, provided the Keynote Address during the traditional candle-lighting ceremony held in the Highlands Auditorium. Faculty advisors Jane Turk at WPMS-Eastview and Michael J. Passow at WPMS-Highlands led the Faculty Councils in selection of candidates and organization of the event. More than four hundred family and friends attended the program.
The Choral Ensemble, under the direction of Mrs. Doris Hernacki, sang “Bring on Tomorrow” from “Fame, The Musical.” The Strings Ensemble presented the Allegro from Vivaldi’s “Concerto for Two Trumpets,” under the combined direction of Ms. Lisa Giordano and Ms. Judith Benjamin.
The purpose of the National Junior Honor Society is to create enthusiasm for scholarship, stimulate a desire to render service, promote leadership, develop character, and encourage citizenship. This is the twentieth group of inductees to enter their names in the Chapter Book. The White Plains Middle School Chapter began in 1986, joining more than 20,000 middle and junior high schools across the country. During the remainder of the school year, many of the students will continue to provide service to their schools through tutoring and other projects.
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WPCNR STAGE DOOR. April 15, 2005: Fort Hill Players is currently interviewing potential directors for the 2005-2006 season. Appointments are being scheduled for April 18 or 25. Please contact Joan: 914-946-5143. FHP gives you chances to direct the hits and FHP originals,
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WPCN SCREEN GEMS. From National Amusements. April 14, 2005: Amityville Horror, a remake of the 70s classic haunts the City Center Cinema De Lux this weekend in downtown White Plains. The Schedule:
AMITYVILLE HORROR — Ryan Reynolds stars in this horror thriller about a family who moves into a house, not realizing it’s possessed by horrible demonic spirits that caused a number of earlier murders that took place there. Rated R
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Hitch (PG-13) –12:00; 10:15 pm. ;
Sahara **(PG-13) –12:45; 3:40; 6:30; 9:15 pm. ;
Sahara (PG-13) –1:15; 4:10; 7:00; 9:50 pm. ;
The Pacifier (PG) –12:00; 2:15; 4:30; 6:55; 9:25 pm. ;
Sin City **(R) –12:20; 3:20; 6:15; 9:20 pm. ;
Fever Pitch (PG-13) –12:10; 2:40; 5:05; 7:30; 9:55 pm. ;
Sin City (R) –12:50; 3:50; 6:45; 9:45 pm. ;
The Ring Two (PG-13) –1:10; 3:55; 6:35; 9:05 pm. ;
Ice Princess (G) –12:00; 2:00; 4:00; 6:00 pm. ;
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous (PG-13) –1:20; 4:00; 6:50; 9:30 pm. ;
Upside of Anger (R) –1:40; 4:30; 7:35; 10:10 pm. ;
Beauty Shop (PG-13) –12:05; 2:45; 5:15; 7:45; 10:25 pm. ;
State Property 2 (R) –12:30; 2:50; 5:20; 7:35; 10:00 pm. ;
Robots: The IMAX Experience (PG) –12:15; 2:30; 4:45; 6:50; 9:00 pm. ;
Guess Who **(PG-13) –8:00; 10:30 pm. ;
Guess Who (PG-13) –1:00; 3:35; 6:05; 8:30 pm. ;
Hostage (R) –2:35; 5:05; 7:40 pm. ;
Friday, April 15, 2005
Robots: The IMAX Experience (PG) –12:15; 2:30; 4:45; 6:50; 9:00; 11:15 pm. ;
Guess Who (PG-13) –1:10; 4:00; 7:10; 9:40 pm; 12:05 am. ;
The Pacifier (PG) –12:40; 3:00; 5:20; 7:50; 10:15 pm; 12:30 am. ;
State Property 2 (R) –12:30; 2:50; 5:20; 7:40; 10:00 pm; 12:15 am. ;
Beauty Shop (PG-13) –12:05; 2:45; 5:15; 7:45; 10:25 pm; 12:45 am. ;
Upside of Anger (R) –1:40; 4:30; 7:35; 10:10 pm; 12:35 am. ;
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous (PG-13) –1:20; 4:20; 7:20; 10:05 pm; 12:35 am. ;
Ice Princess (G) –12:00; 2:10; 4:25; 6:40 pm. ;
The Ring Two (PG-13) –8:50; 11:30 pm. ;
Sin City **(R) –12:20; 3:20; 6:20; 9:25 pm; 12:05 am. ;
Sin City (R) –12:50; 3:50; 6:55; 9:45 pm; 12:30 am. ;
Fever Pitch (PG-13) –12:10; 2:40; 5:05; 7:30; 9:55 pm; 12:20 am. ;
Sahara (PG-13) –1:15; 4:10; 7:00; 9:50 pm; 12:35 am. ;
Sahara **(PG-13) –12:45; 3:40; 6:30; 9:15 pm; 12:10 am. ;
The Amityville Horror **(R) –12:00; 2:15; 4:25; 6:45; 9:05; 11:20 pm. ;
The Amityville Horror (R) –12:35; 2:45; 4:55; 7:15; 9:30; 11:50 pm. ;
Saturday, April 16, 2005
The Amityville Horror (R) –12:35; 2:45; 4:55; 7:15; 9:30; 11:50 pm. ;
The Amityville Horror **(R) –12:00; 2:15; 4:25; 6:45; 9:05; 11:20 pm. ;
Fever Pitch (PG-13) –12:10; 2:40; 5:05; 7:30; 9:55 pm; 12:20 am. ;
Sahara (PG-13) –1:15; 4:10; 7:00; 9:50 pm; 12:35 am. ;
Sahara **(PG-13) –12:45; 3:40; 6:30; 9:15 pm; 12:10 am. ;
Sin City (R) –12:50; 3:50; 6:55; 9:45 pm; 12:30 am. ;
Ice Princess (G) –12:00; 2:10; 4:25; 6:40 pm. ;
Sin City **(R) –12:20; 3:20; 6:20; 9:25 pm; 12:05 am. ;
The Ring Two (PG-13) –8:50; 11:30 pm. ;
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous (PG-13) –1:20; 4:20; 7:20; 10:05 pm; 12:35 am. ;
Upside of Anger (R) –1:40; 4:30; 7:35; 10:10 pm; 12:35 am. ;
Beauty Shop (PG-13) –12:05; 2:45; 5:15; 7:45; 10:25 pm; 12:45 am. ;
State Property 2 (R) –12:30; 2:50;
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WPCNR PRESS BOX. From a White Plains CitizeNetReporter. April 14, 2005: The White Plains Tigers came out swinging as they scored early and often in an important league game against Mt Vernon Wednesday. Matt Taft pitched brilliantly, allowing one run in three innings, as he tuned up for the Joe McAvoy Tournament this weekend at the high school. Taft left with a 9 – 1 lead against a strong Mt Vernon team.
ZETTEL BEFORE THE BIG BLOW. Photo by White Plains Tigers for WPCNR Sports
Also tuning up for the big weekend tournament was Sean Campbell, who was called on to pitch two innings. Mt Vernon was able to work a couple of walks and nibble at the lead a bit. Then Matt Zettl came on to pitch in the sixth inning to also get some work.
Zettl wasn’t that happy with the lead though, and he wanted to do something about it. When he came up to bat in the bottom of the fourth with a runner on board, he crushed a pitch deep to left field and over the fence. Zettl broke into his homerun trot as the team happily greeted him at home. The Tigers were now up by