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 RINGSIDE. Interview with Ann Marie Saccurato with WPCNR From TeamSaccurato, from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. November 6, 2006: ” It was a fight from bell to bell. I hurt her badly in the first round and had her at the end of the first round. But she came back and landed a hard hook on me in second round on my chin. I felt it. I was aware of that the rest of the fight…..She landed just one good one on me in the second round…It became more of a street fight than a boxing match,” New WBC Lightweight Champion  Ann Marie Saccurato told the CitizeNetReporter Monday morning in a telephone interview.

 

 

Pounding on The Prairie: White Plains’ Ann-Marie Saccurato, (Black Trunks) brawling with Jelena Mrdjenovich in Edmonton’s Shaw Conference Center Saturday night, punching her way to the title. In this action from Edmonton, Ann Marie is landing a right cross — her best punch. Photo, Courtesy TeamSaccurato.com, by Mary Ann Owen

 

In front of an estimated crowd of 4,000, Ann Marie Saccurato (12-1-2) of White Plains, New York, and the new WBC lightweight world champion, defeated two-time world champion Jelena Mrdjenovich in Mrdjenovich’s hometown of Edmonton, Canada.  The 10 round fight was Saccurato’s first shot at a world title.  The final Judges’ scores were 96-94, 96-94, 94-96.

 

 

Saccurato stunned Mrdjenovich in the first round but Mrdjenovich rallied and turned it on in the second.  What followed was exciting back and forth action for 10 rounds with Saccurato landing the cleaner, harder blows.   Saccurato said, “Jelena is a world champion boxer and I was very thankful for the opportunity to box on an all-female card that is donating money towards breast cancer research.  Even though it was her hometown, I knew it was my time.  I have trained hard for this fight, and I knew in my heart I would take home the WBC green belt.”

 

Saccurato told WPCNR, she used her jab to get inside on the taller Jelena. After Mrdjenovich landed the left hook on Ann Marie in Round 2, Saccurato was aware of it and adjusted She said it mostly turned into “a street fight, a lot of headlocks, mostly by her.” Ann-Marie said she was doing a lot of damage with her right on Mrdjenovich throughout the fight. 

 She said her superior conditioning was a major factor and credited Juan Carlos Santana of the Institute for Human performance in Boca Raton for laying out the conditioning program she followed to get ready for this fight. She said she definitely hurt Mrdjenovich in the first round and Mrdjenovich was not used to Ann-Marie’s power. She said her jab set her up inside throughout the fight and that she worked Mrdjenovich’s body relentlessly. 

Ann-Marie said she would be fighting Liza Olson next within 90 days, if Olson recovers from a toe injury suffered in getting ready for the Mrdjenovich fight. Ann-Marie was signed to replace Olson on the card when Olson suffered the toe injury sparring. Ann-Marie said it remains to be seen whether Olson would be ready for the fight. As a result of her win over Mrdjenovich, A Ring of Their Own has offered her a one year contract to fight on their all-women Boxing Programs.  Ann-Marie also said she would like to fight for the Lightweight titles of other commissions. She is currently managed by Luigi Olsece

Hector Roca, her trainer, and trainer of 15 World Champions, one of them Hector Camacho, told her she was ready for this fight and did not give her any special advice. She credited Sherif Ouna for working with her on mitt targets during her training at Gleason’s Gym, the fight palace in Brooklyn. 

Ann-Marie who can often be seen running on the streets of White Plains, said that in the 10th Round, she thought of how many times people have come up to her on the streets of White Plains  and mentioned to her how her efforts have meant a great deal to them and the city. Ann-Marie said those comments motivated her to reach back and finish strong. “That means a lot,” she said.

This fight was the main event of an all female card titled “A Ring of Their Own” “Border War” which also featured two other world title bouts and will be telecast on iNDemand Pay per view beginning November 17th.  The fight promoted breast cancer awareness as all the fighter’s donned pink gloves to enter the ring.  The event was promoted by a Ring of Their Own and KO Boxing Promotions and took place at the Shaw Conference Center .

 

Ann-Marie was born in Eastchester, NY and trains out of New York Boxing gym and Souler in White Plains and Gleason’s in Brooklyn.  Her senior trainer is the legendary Hector Roca who has trained 15 World Champions.  Her other trainers include New Rochelle police sergeant Luigi Olsece and sport performance guru Juan Carlos Santana of the Institute for Human Performance in Boca Raton.

  

This victory symbolizes the ultimate comeback for Saccurato.  Ann-Marie has overcome tremendous odds just to be walking today.  In 1995 she was a passenger in a devastating car wreck returning from a volleyball competition at the Empire State Games.  The driver of the vehicle was killed and Ann-Marie suffered a punctured lung, broken pelvis, hip, 2 broken legs, a shattered arm, broken ribs, and severe nerve damage.  She was not expected to live the night, let alone ever walk again.  Being ever the determined athlete, she proved everyone wrong and immediately took up an aggressive rehabilitation program knowing in her heart she would play sports again.  In 1999 she entered her first boxing gym stronger than ever.

 

Ann-Marie is known for her boxing skill, athleticism, footwork and knockout power, and now she’s a champion. But, she always was in her own heart. Winning a boxing championship in a fighter’s home town is the hardest task in sports, unless you do it by a knockout. But she did it in a split decision.

 

After the fight she was invited by the promoters to The Gaspipe in downtown Edmonton, and was very impressed with how well they treated her, considering she was an out-of-town fighter who had just taken a title away from their hometown favorite. They were just great to me she said.

 

As she told the CitizeNetReporter, “sometimes you have to go through the fire.” 

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WPCNR RINGSIDE. November 5, 2006 UPDATED 11-5, 9:18 PM: White Plains Ann Marie Saccurato, 12-1-2  the toughest woman in White Plains who introduced women’s boxing at the Westchester County Center last year, has won the World Boxing Commission Female Lightweight title Saturday night in Edmonton Alberta, winning a split decision, 10-round decision over the taller, experienced Edmonton-based champ, Jelena Mrdjenovich — on the road — one of the toughest tasks in sports. The judges scored it 96-94,96-94, and 94-96 in a bout described as “toe-to-toe for all 10 rounds.”

Ann Marie got her title shot, replacing Eliza Olson on the card and has come through! For the Fightnews Canada story on Ann Marie’s classic win go to http://www.fightnews.ca/2006/results/borderwar20061105.htm

 

The New WBC Womens Lightweight Champion: Ann Marie Saccurato of White Plains. Photo Capture from www.teamsaccurato.com

 

 

 

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. By John F. Bailey. November 3, 2006 UPDATED 9:15 AM EST: After Paul Labarbera connected on two long passes first to Ray Mitchell for 28 yards to the Mahopac 26, then to Savaughn Green at the Mahopac 9, settling for a beautiful 33 yard field goal by Mike Howard, White Plains fans were feeling very good with a 3-0 lead with 8:13 to go in the first quarter.

Night Pic! Justin Otera of Mahopac (in Blue) just to the right of the blue padded upright is about to be run down by Mike Howard (15) and Connor Spellman(72) after an electrifying interception with  as the Tigers were attempting long passes to get back in the football game with 1:22 to go in the half. Otero picked off a pass at his own 30  that would have been a touchdown and returned it 65 yards cross field and cut back to the Tiger 10 before Howard doggedly brought him down on the Tiger 5. The interception was typical of the Tiger night — and easily the best run of a lot of great plays by the Indians.  The “Pic”  set up the fourth touchdown of the first half with 6 seconds to go to give Mahopac a 26-3 lead at the half. Photo, WPCNR Sports.

The Mahopac Indians then took over the game. The Indians were on fire. They chewed up 10 to 15 yards a carry with their fleet backs cruising around end and up the middle — their misdirection offense froze the Tigers with their deceptive fakes and looks — their quarterback rolled out and eluded pursuing Tigers like Fran Tarkenton. Mahopac scored the first four times they had the ball to build a 26-3 lead at the half, scoring 4 touchdowns in 16 minutes. They came out smoking in the second half, too, adding two TDs in the third quarter on route to a 40-3 victory on a frigid 36 degree night.

White Plains started off the evening positively. Sophomore James Bryant returned Mahopac’s kickoff 34 yards to the Tiger 44. On second down, Paul Labarbera got good protection and hit Ray Mitchell over the middle at the Indian 40 and Ray faught his way to the 26. The next play Paul clicked to “Shifty” Greene on a completion to the 9.  A run and two passes fell incomplete and Coach Stevens elected to try Mike Howard on a field goal from the 22. Mike nailed it – a majestic end-over-ender for 3 – a 32 yarder.

 

 

Then things went bad. Mahopac’s Deception and Devastation attack took over. The first play went 18 yards to the Tiger 48 around end. Then a 9 yard pickup. The Tigers stopped a third down but Justin Otera cruised around right end again for 21 yards to the 20. Another in the Mahopac “Back Pac” Nick Giumarro cruised around the corner again to the 15 and once more to the 5. Quarterback  Tony Castellitto went over the top for the touchdown on 2^nd and goal from the 1 and it was 6-3. The Indians had rolled 70 yards in 10 plays in 4 minutes, calling plays quickly and rolling up the yardage

 

After the Tigers managed one first down at their 30 They ponted to the Mahopac 29 and the Indians picked up where they left off as the first quarter ended, 6-3 with the Pac at their 39.  Not too bad, we’ll stop them next series.

 

Back Pac Powers Up

 

After the Tigers had trapped a back for a loss to the 37, the Pac QB, given enormous time with a rollout option hit a completion over the middle for a first down on the Tiger 48. Then a 30 yard run put the ball on the Tiger 28. Yet another back took a counter play and weaved to the 18. A 3^rd and 13 on the 21 produced a completion from Castellitto to Giumarro produced a first and goal at the Tiger 5. Giumarro scored on 4^th down at the half yard line to send Mahopac ahead 12-3 with 7 minutes to go in the half. Still close, but the Tigers were in trouble. Mahopac was throwing speed, muscle and sleight of hand and the most explosive set of running backs they had seen this year. How Mahopac has a 5-5 record, I do not know. 

 

Another kickoff and the Tigers punted again, three and out, and the Pac continued where they left off with 4 minutes to go in the half.

 

On first down  a back who should have been stopped at the line rambled to the White Plains 40, a pass put them on the 7, and Castellito flipped a 7 yard TD pass to Giumarro to make it 19-3 with 2:06 to go in the half. 60 yards in 5 plays.

 

Tigers Try and Make it Happen

 

It’s a long one down the right sideline! Bobby Thompson going for a long LaBarbera pass at the close of the First Half. Photo, WPCNR Sports.

 

Taking the ball at their 20, Paul LaBarbera tried to make it happen with the air game. With a minute to go he had I believe Savaungh Greene isolated at the Mahopac 30 down the sideline. The pass appeared right on target, but in the most electrifying play of the season Justin Otera came over from safety and in full tilt snared it on the run, raced down the far sideline cutback over the middle at the Tiger 40, weaving and swiveling lit out across the 30, down the near sidline with the Tigers in pursuit. Otero cut back again at the 10 before Mike Howard never giving up laid him out at the 6. With 6 seconds to go in the half Castellito passed 6 yards to Giumarro for the score that made it 26-3 at the half.

 

No Huddle, No Mercy in the Third Quarter.

 

After White Plains held Mahopac on their first series of the second half, Mahopac continued attacking in the third quarter playing their first string, passing long from inside their own 10 yard line and running a no huddle offense in the middle of the 3^rd stanza.  They passed for 20 yards to the 50, another 20 yard completion to the 30. Castellito hit Giumarro for a 30 yard TD pass in the end zone for “the clincher” that put the game out of reach 33-3 with 4:55 to go. A 60 yard run with a minute to go in the third quarter gave Mahopac added some needed breathing room at 40-3. 

 

Turf Factor?

 

This was for the White Plains Tigers their first experience on artificial turf this season.

 

 WPCNR observed that the turf appeared to give Mahopac terrific true cuts and acceleration that backs do not get on natural grass, and our linemen and defensive backs were taken aback by the speed they had to contend with.

 

When the Tigers switch to aritificial turf at either Loucks Field or Parker Stadium next year, they will need to make adjustments to commit earlier and turn the acceleration factor (no bumpy ground, no ruts, no terrain to negotiate) to their advantage.

 

 

White Plains Chilled Cheerleaders— Artificial Turf — the 12th Man in background. Photo, WPCNR Sports

 

 No team has had this much success against the Tigers except New Rochelle this year, and part of it had to be the artificial surface.  From this reporter’s observation the Tigers were having trouble adjusting to the smooth “no dig in” surface of the turf to hold their footing on the line charge, and dig in on the tackles, and did not accelerate to the ball carriers as quickly as they needed to do that turned 4 yard gains into 10 yards and more. I tell you once a back gets going on aritificial turf they move like a runway truck on the Skyline Drive.

 

Turf is an adjustment the young Tigers  (2-7) will have to make next year. Meanwhile, they prepare for Stepinac at the last Turkey Bowl at old Parker Stadium on Thanksgiving Day.

 

Friday Night Lights at Mahopac Friday night. Photo, WPCNR Sports

 

 

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WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE EXAMINER. November 3, 2006: Monday evening, the Common Council agenda at this time includes a resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with New York Presbyterian Hospital to subdivide 65 acres of their property in exchange for 5.5 acres of parkland for the city.

 Its appearance at this time on the agenda indicates the Council is going to authorize the Memorandum of Understanding. Also appearing on the agenda is a resolution calling for Westchester County to relocate the Drop-In Shelter from 85 Court Street out of the city. 

Common Council President Rita Malmud and Councilman Benjamin Boykin could not be reached to confirm whether the sense of the council was to approve the Memorandum of Understanding, in effect, authorizing the 125-home subdivision and park lease.  New York Presbyterian Hospital has not responded to a WPCNR question as to whether New York Presbyterian Hospital has prospective buyers of their property lined up, based on a television report the hospital was selling its property.

The agenda as of 9 A.M. Friday:

COMMON COUNCIL AGENDA REGULAR STATED MEETING

November 6, 2006

7:30 P.M.

 

PLEDGE TO THE FLAG:                Hon. Dennis Power

INVOCATION:                                  Rev. Joseph Agne

Memorial United Methodist Church

ROLL CALL:                                           City Clerk

RECOGNITION:                           Joseph Martin Costable

Youth of the Year 2006-07

EMPLOYEE                                           Mary Orsino

OF THE MONTH:                     Parking Enforcement Officer

Department of Parking

PUBLIC HEARING:

 

1.       Public Hearing in relation to the application submitted on behalf of Greenridge Management Corp. for a Special Permit to maintain a Neighborhood Parking Lot at 15-17 Longview Avenue (Section 130.27, Block 6, Lots 3 & 4).

 

2.                 Communication from City Clerk

FIRST READING

ORDINANCES:

 

3.        Communication from Corporation Counsel in relation to the retention of the law firm of Andrew S. Roffe, P.C., to act as Special Counsel for Legislative Affairs.

 

4.                 Ordinance authorizing the Corporation Counsel to enter into an agreement retaining the services of the law firm of Andrew S. Roffe, P.C., as Special Counsel for the period November 15, 2006 through November 14, 2007.

 

5.       Communication from Commissioner of Public Safety in relation to a grant from the United States Department of Justice – Community Policing Services, to provide funding for security technology for the White Plains High School and Middle Schools.

  

6.                 Ordinance authorizing the transfer of funds within the 2006-2007 General Fund Budget for the Department of Public Safety in order to increase the budget to reflect a $50,027 grant from the United States Department of Justice – Community Policing Services.

 

7.       Communication from Director, Youth Bureau, in relation to a contract with the Regional Partnership of Schools and Colleges to operate the Great Potential Program.

 

8.                 Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with the Regional Partnership of Schools and Colleges Great Potential Program to receive a $7,500 award to operate the Great Potential Program.

 

9.       Communication from Director, Youth Bureau, in relation to a contract with the White Plains City School District for the operation of the Outreach and Student workshops for Project Pride and the Reach for Success Programs.

 

10.               Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with the White Plains City School District to receive $4,000 in funding for Outreach and Student workshops (“Project Pride”) and $9,100 in funding for the operation of the “Reach for Success” Program.

 

11.     Communication from Deputy Commissioner of Building in relation to amendments to Sections WPBCAE-q(2)(iv), WPBCAE-q(2)(v), and WPBCAE-q(2)(vii) of the White Plains Supplemental Uniform Building and Fire Prevention Code regarding electrical permit fees.

 

12.               Ordinance amending an ordinance entitled, “Supplement Uniform Building and Fire Prevention Code for the City of White Plains (Rev)” last amended on June 5, 2006, is hereby amended in relation to fees for electrical permits for one and two family dwellings and electrical installations.

 

13.     Communication from Personnel Officer in relation to a proposed amendment to the Municipal Code by establishing a certain position title and amending the Table of Organization.

 

14.               Ordinance amending Section 2-5-81 of the White Plains Municipal Code by establishing a certain position title, and amending the 2006-2007 Table of Organization by adding a certain position title.

 

15.     Communication from Chairman, Traffic Commission, in relation to proposed amendments to the Traffic Ordinance at various locations around the City.

 

16.               Ordinance amending the Traffic Ordinance of the City of White Plains in relation to Parking Meter Zones, One Hour Parking, Three Hour Parking Monday through Friday, No Parking 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. Monday through Friday, and Speed of Motor Vehicles, Etc.

RESOLUTIONS: 

 

17.     Resolution of the Common Council of the City of White Plains authorizing the Mayor to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of White Plains and Royal Charter Properties Westchester, Inc. (aka New York Presbyterian Hospital).

 

18.     Communication from Mayor Delfino and Councilman Hockley in relation to a request from the Common Council for the County of Westchester to move the drop-in homeless shelter currently located at 85 Court Street in White Plains to another more suitable location in Westchester County.

 

19.               Resolution of the Common Council of the City of White Plains urging the County of Westchester to relocate the drop-in homeless shelter for “hard core” homeless persons, including level 3 sex offenders, from 85 Court Street in White Plains, situated in the heart of the City’s downtown revitalization area encompassing numerous retail establishments, restaurants, shops, patrons, workers, visitors, residents and pedestrian traffic and within walking distance of six (6) schools, to another location in Westchester County.

ITEM FOR REFERRAL:

 

20.     Communication from Deputy Commissioner of Building transmitting a request from RPW Group Inc., for an amendment to a previously approved site plan to add 20,000 square feet, add a new cafeteria and executive dining room, and expand and enhance the lobby area at 1133 Westchester Avenue

ITEM FOR INFORMATION:

 

21.     Communication from Director, Youth Bureau, in relation to the recognition of Joseph Martin Costable as Youth of the Year 2006-07 for the City of White Plains.

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WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. Special to the CitizeNetReporter from Don Hughes. November 2, 2006: At an afternoon ceremony today at City Hall, an outdoor park bench was dedicated to the memory of the late Councilman Robert Greer, on behalf of White Plains City Hall employees

 

                                              

The Robert Greer Memorial Park Bench in the late evening Thursday Night. Photo by WPCNR News

 

The idea and funding came entirely from White Plains city employees. Annette Simmons of the Personnel Department headed the committee that coordinated the effort, but every department participated and donated time and money. The bench is located in the small park between City Hall and the Planning Department annex.

                         

 City Fathers Dedicate the Bench about to be unveiled. Left to Right: Alexis Greer, Mr. Greer’s daughter, Helen Greer, his wife. Mayor Joseph Delfino, Councilperson Benjamin Boykin, Jr., Councilperson Rita Malmud, Councilperson Dennis Power, Assemblyman Adam Bradley, Councilperson Arnold Bernstein, and Councilperson Glen Hockley. Photo by Don

Hughes.

                                                 

Mayor Delfino, with Alexis Greer, center, and Helen Greer Thursday afternoon. Photo by Don Hughes

 

                                                   

                                                  The Memorial Plaque. Photo by Don Hughes