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WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. From the Office of the City Clerk. January 6, 2005: Renoda Brown Hoffman, Historian of The City of White Plains since 1970, has died, here in the City she so loved.  Long before it became trendy to study genealogy and trace our roots, Renoda Hoffman understood the importance of preserving the past, and capturing the present, for future generations.

RENODA HOFFMAN

The Herodotus of White Plains

1909-2005

           Born October 5, 1909, Renoda came to White Plains at nine months of age. Renoda Brown Hoffman’s ancestral tree is representative of Who’s Who in Colonial America…on her father’s side her family goes back to Jeffrey Ferris who came to America in 1632/33, and on her mother’s side, one uncle Thurston Horn sailed with William Kidd, venturing out of New York City Harbor in 1692 never to return.  In fact, Jacob Purdy’s great granddaughter married Renoda’s ancestor James M. Ferris and they lived in the Purdy House. 

 

            Renoda grew up in a time of innocence when children skipped and laughed their way to the Ranch House on Saturday afternoons, free from the fears that plague us today, and whiled away the hours watching Tom Mix defeat villains and rescue maidens.  Coming from a family that saw Black Tuesday and the long, sad years of the Great Depression, Renoda’s dreams of archaeological digs in far away deserts, succumbed to the reality of Hake’s Business School where, like other young women of the day, she studied typing and shorthand to become a secretary.  Upon completing school, Renoda went to work for two attorneys, Monday through Saturday, for $10.00 week. 

 

            It was during these years that she met Howard C. Hoffman who worked for the City of White Plains.  They were married in 1937 and had a son Richard. When her son was school aged, Renoda was encouraged by a friend to lend a helping hand a few mornings a week at the Purchase School.  Mornings, turned to days, followed by years, and in 1979, she retired from the Purchase School, with 33 years of service.  During that period, she was introduced to the Westchester Historical Society and soon became a very active member, serving as it’s first woman President for three years.   She  served as the Editor of their quarterly publication, “The Westchester Historian”, for 20 years.   

 

            All of her life, Renoda embraced history.  First she studied the Civil War, and then later the Revolutionary Period.  It was during that time that she discovered the wealth of history to be found in Westchester, and particularly in White Plains. It was during these years that Mayor Richard Hendey asked  Renoda to take over the reins as White Plains City Historian.  She often quoted Mayor Hendey when telling how she became Historian explaining that he told her that she should “…just go out and do whatever Historians do.”  It was with this charge that she began to amass the enormously rich and varied collection of artifacts, documents and photographs which would eventually become the foundation of the White Plains City Archives.  Probably the most significant acquisition she made was an original map drawn by a soldier in 1776 during the Battle of White Plains.

 

           

            Renoda was one of the founding members of the Battle of White Plains Monument Committee, which later became the White Plains Historical Society. She was also one of the key players in the movement to save the 1720 Jacob Purdy House from demolition during the Urban Renewal period. She was honored by the White Plains Historical Society with their first presentation of the Citizen Extraordinaire Award and by the Westchester County Historical Society with their Tomahawk Award.

 

 

           During her time as Historian, Renoda Hoffman authored and published three books: “Yesterday In White Plains“, “It Happened In Old White Plains“, and “The Changing Face of White Plains.”  She also authored three booklets, “Historic Highlights of Westchester,” “Throw Back” and “The Battle of White Plains.”  All monies generated from the books support the Jacob Purdy House and the Mission of the White Plains Historical Society. Here, Jack Harrington, President Emeritus of the White Plains Historical Society holds two of Ms. Hoffman’s books, recently reprinted and available from the Historical Society. Photo by WPCNR News.  

 

            From the moment that Mayor Hendey sent her forth with the charge of “doing whatever Historians do,” Renoda never once looked back.  The City of White Plains can never in words thank her for her unflagging spirit and depth of understanding of the importance of preserving history for future generations.  Thanks can only come in the concrete form of continued commitment to conserving her legacy for future generations and continuing her charge to preserve the past, and capture the present for the future.  Today we do not mourn her passing, but pay tribute not just to her 35 years as Historian, but we pay tribute to the purity of her spirit, and the depth of her understanding, that “Past is Prologue.”

 

But Renoda was ever so much more to the City than Historian…she was artist, preservationist, collector, activist and photographer.  She took thousands of photos and slides of White Plans as it changed and grew through the decades.  As time passes, her work becomes more and more valuable for capturing moments in time as a legacy for future generations. Over time she compiled a rich and varied array of historically significant materials, accomplished almost entirely through donations from concerned individuals and organizations.  She also worked tirelessly to obtain a permanent place to house all these wonderful glimpses of past history, and succeeded in establishing the White Plains City Archives, now permanently named in her honor.       

           

Renoda never did small things in a great way, but rather has done great things for our City and it’s citizens, past, present and future. When asked once how she saw her work she stated, “…..nourished by those who have gone on before, we have fallen heir to the precious liberty won at such a terrible price. This, along with our great nation, was bequeathed to you and to me, to all Americans. This is our heritage.”

 

 

Office of the City Clerk

City of White Plains

January 6, 2005

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WPCNR THE ZONING NEWS. By John F. Bailey. January 6, 2004: During the Public Hearing on the Bobker Group proposal to build two 10-story condominiums in the RM 0.35 Zone on Hale Avenue at Maple Avenue, Councilwoman Rita Malmud closely queried Bobker spokesman, Bill Null, on exactly what the zoning ordinance states regarding height and number of stories on that site. WPCNR examined the Book of White Plains Zoning Codes for the area and has discovered that the zoning appears to be quite clear.

THE ELUSIVE CITY OF WHITE PLAINS ZONING BIBLE: Available in the Building Department and the Public Library, and in the hands of all six councilmen, the new revised Zoning Ordinance is a prized possession, reportedly, hard to obtain for one’s personal library, according to persons who have spoken to WPCNR. Photo by WPCNR News.

To set the dramatic moment for you, under consideration was consideration of a Special Permit which would allow The Bobker Group to build two 10-story condominiums on the site . When presented in work session, the Common Council appeared to have no particular problems with this. Consequently an ordinance was drawn up and presented for the 10-story projects, possibly for a vote Monday evening.

 

 

ZONING CODE FOR HALE AVE LAID BARE. Photos of Official City of White Plains Zoning Ordinance by WPCNR News.

 

 

Mr. Null in his presentation advanced the position that the zoning ordinance RM 0.35 for the two corners stated that the maximum height was six stories or 125 feet, and he interpreted this to mean that the number of stories could vary upward from six, as of right,  as along as height did not exceed 125 feet.

 

The Bobker Zone: RM-0:35, shown in center of Zoning Map. Street running through center of Map is Maple Avenue. Photo of Official Zoning Map by WPCNR News.

 

Ms. Malmud, (who has been looking at White Plains zoning since 1990), prior to the meeting had consulted the up-to-the-minute zoning book ordinance (last revised in May 2002), which to her mind read quite differently.

 

The Clause “n” interpeting the height and story requirements states the number of stories as 6n, and maximum height as 125 feet. Clause n reads: “The number of “stories” may be increased within the maximum “height” as measured in feet, with a “front yard” of not less than 20 feet, on inssuance of a special permit by the Common Council.”

 

 

 

She rejected Mr. Null’s interpretation of the ordinance to mean that a developer could build up to a height of 125 feet and vary the number of stories from six. Ms. Malmud pointed out that the maximum number of stories according to RM 0.35 Zoning, clause n,  was to be 6 stories up to a maximum height of 125 feet, with a special permit required if more stories were proposed.

 

The Council also sent The Bobker Group back to consult with the neighbors on the issues of how the buildings would present to the neighborhood.

 

The Legal Department declined to comment on Null’s contention, saying it was “under review.”

 

The Maple Avenue Easing

 

WPCNR has gained a clearer understanding of the  zoning change allowing  an easement to The Bobker Group to construct underground parking within the 20 foot setback alongside Maple Avenue.

 

The zoning ordinance passed Monday evening, allows The Bobker Group and developers of the Maple Avenue and DeKalb parcel to tunnel under the 20 foot setback and sidewalk along Maple Avenue, while reserving the city’s right to widen Maple Avenue in the future, perhaps to create a turning lane, according to the WPCNR source.

 

Minerva Maneuverings

 

In another zoning matter involving 7 Minerva Place, and the expanison WPCNR has received clarification that the ordinance passed was to withdraw a previous ordinance amending an ordinance offered at the November meeting creating a “Mini-Storage Use,” and, in its place instead create a new zoning classification, that of “Mini-Storage Use,” which determines a smaller parking ratio for that use, instead of the “industrial” ratio left in effect by the previous classification.

 

On the amendment to the Zoning Map to re-zone 7 Minerva place to Light Industrial, that matter has been kept open while the Commissioner of Planning, Susan Habel, works out a plan relating to combining establishment of affordable housing in that area related to the USA Storage facility expansion proposed. The proposal is a work in process at this time.

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WPCNR MILESTONES. From a WPCNR Correspondent. January 6, 2004: Westchester artist Alton Tobey died Tuesday after a long illness. Tobey was internationally well known for his paintings, and was creator of the “Roots of Westchester” mural at the County Court House in White Plains, as well as a respected teacher and benefactor to many Westchester County non-profit organizations.

Services will be held on Friday, Jan. 7 at 11:30 a.m. at the Zion Memorial Chapel, 785 East Boston Post Road in Mamaroneck, New York.

    Death occurred just a month after a party was held for him at the Sarah Neuman Center in Mamaroneck where he was residing to celebrate his 90th birthday and the launch of a  website about his life showing over 400 of his paintings and his detailed illustrated biography  at www.altontobey.org.



    In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the fund established by the Mamaroneck Artist Guild to nurture and encourage young artists: The Alton S. Tobey Scholarship Fund, c/o Mamaroneck Artist Guild; 2120 Boston Post Road; Larchmont, NY 10538. Make check payable to MAG and notate “Tobey Fund” in the memo section.


    
      Those who wish may leave messages of condolence to the family by email here that will be posted to a special page on his website at a future date.

            Tobey was publicly best known for his murals, which he called “symphonies of painting”. They were the first works for which he achieved national acclaim after graduating and teaching art at Yale University. Today, his murals grace the halls of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC; The MacArthur Memorial in Norfolk, VA., The Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum in New York and dozens of other public buildings throughout the world.


    
           Tobey was a distinguished historian and art educator, and served on numerous non-profit organizations, where he regularly donated his time and talents. He held the office of president in The National Society of Mural Painters, Artist”s Equity of New York and The Mamaroneck Artist”s Guild, and was the recipient of many art awards including the WPA Murals Award, The Edwin Abbey Mural Award, The Lindner Memorial Award; and others from Grumbacher, The Westchester Society and The Westchester Council for The Arts, to name a few.


    
           His dedication to research, science and history spawned a career as an illustrator for LIFE Magazine, 350 paintings for The Golden Books History of the United States, and for paintings in dozens of other books and periodicals. In a May 1976 feature article in American Artist magazine, Tobey”s historical paintings were described as works of “loving accuracy,” and Tobey as an artist of “…insatiable curiosity, diligent investigation, well developed powers of visualization, and consummate craftsmanship.”


    
            Although his historical work recreated thousands of figures from the past; Tobey also did many portraits of his contemporaries. His Brothers United, of John F. and Robert Kennedy; and his Apollo II Astronauts were made into prints and were loved and collected by millions worldwide. On portraits, Tobey said: “In creating a portrait of someone – whether painted, sculpted, drawn or photographed, we must look carefully to catch that particular unique [personal] quality. In fact, we can neglect nothing.” Many of his other works were reproduced in both limited and open editions by Scafa Tournabene, The Franklin Mint, Royal Doulton and other art print and collectibles publishers.


    
            As a Modernist painter, he was a founder of the Curvilinear School of painting based upon the theories of Albert Einstein. He had dozens of one-man exhibitions of his Curvilinears, his Fragments paintings, and his dimensional conceptual works in museums and galleries both locally and internationally. Over 400 of his paintings from every period of the six decades of his work, and a detailed illustrated biography of Tobey are on his website, launched just this past November to celebrate his 90th birthday, at www.altontobey.org.

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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. From Inspector Daniel Jackson, Department of Public Safety. January 4, 2005: Last night, Mayor Joseph Delfino cited three firefighters and two police officers for their bravery and expertise in saving the life of Phyllis Waterman at the 23 Old Mamaroneck Road fire of December 7. Here is the text of that commendation:

White Plains Best:  Mayor Joseph Delfino recognizing the Fire Department’s Rescue Unit 88-ers and Police Emergency Services Unit officers, last night: Left to Right, Public Safety Commissioner Dr. Frank Straub, Lieutenanct James Manganello, Sal Bririttieri, William Simmons, Police Officers William Nicholson, and Pietro DeVito. Photo by WPCNR News

The Mayor’s Commendation — January 3, 2005

On December 7, 2004, the White Plains Fire and Police Bureaus responded to an apartment fire at 23 Old Mamaroneck Road. When they arrived, there was one apartment completely engulfed in fire. Our emergency personnel went into action immediately.

The firefighters immediately entered the building and began assisting residents and fighting the fire. The newly formed Rescue 88 was assigned to search for trapped or injured victims of the fire.

While crawling through the smoke-filled stairwell, Lt. James Manganello located an unconscious elderly woman on the landing between the fourth and fifth floor. She had been overcome by the smoke and heat.

Lt. Manganello carried the woman down to the fourth floor and handed the woman to Firefighters Sal Birittieri and William Simmons. The two firefighters carried her down to the courtyard while Lt. Manganello continued to search for more victims.

In the Courtyard, Firefighter Birittieri began to administer rescue breathing to the victim, Phyllis Waterman, who had stopped breathing. They were joined by Police Officer William Nicholson, a member of the new Police Emergency Service Unit. Officer  Nicholson is one of 5 trained Emergency Medical Technicians that staff the Police E.S.U. Truck.

The Firefighters and Police Officer were able to get Mrs. Waterman to breathe again on her own. Mrs. Waterman was then taken by ambulance crew to White Plains Hospital for treatment.

While this was happening, on the back side of the building Police Officer Pietro DeVito was helping other residents. When he arrived, he found several people calling for help from a fire escape at the rear of the building. Police Officer DeVito climbed up some trees and the side of the building to get onto the fire escape to help the people to safety. Police Officer DeVito then went to another fire escape where he and several firefighters helped more victims to safety.

It is because of the actions of all of these brave men that Phyllis Waterman and who knows how many others are alive and safe today. Once again, our Fire and Police personnel have made us proud doing a dangerous job.

Mayor Joseph Delfino