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 MAIN STREET JOURNAL. Special to WPCNR from Wal-Mart Stores. July 18, 2006 (EDITED): Wal-Mart will open its long-awaited store in downtown White Plains, N.Y., featuring unique design elements and a product mix for its urban customer tomorrow, Wednesday, July 19.  The architecture and product mix in the development of this highly anticipated store were conceived to serve the needs of the community and Main Street residents, according to Wal-Mart news release.  The store occupies two floors of a remodeled, nine-story building at 275 Main St. at The Shoppes on Main.  The store will welcome its first customers following a 7 a.m. grand opening ceremony.  A VIP opening takes place this evening at 6 P.M.

Wal*Mart on Main Street, City Hall is at the left. Photo, Courtesy, Wal-Mart.

The new White Plains Wal-Mart, consisting of 179,731-square-feet, will incorporate several new design elements while featuring many of the retailer’s new merchandise products that are rolling out this summer.   Some of the distinctive features of the store include a shopping cart escalator  (shown above) between the two store levels and an automated shopping cart elevator that will deliver carts from the parking lot back to the store.  Photo, Courtesy, Wal-Mart

Keeping both pedestrian and drive traffic in mind, customers can enter the store directly off Main Street or by elevators from the six-levels of parking above the store in the building’s roof-top garage which offers three-hour validated parking for 600 vehicles.   The building’s six “oversized” elevators accommodate shopping carts to provide customers the convenience of purchasing grocery and general merchandise in one trip. 

“This store represents an excellent example of how well the Wal-Mart concept can fit into an urban setting,” said Steve Mitchael, director of design for Wal-Mart’s North-Central Division, who spearheaded the project’s design.  “The store’s contemporary design captures White Plains’ downtown revitalization efforts and offers a product mix and layout to meet this local community’s needs, while providing for a truly unique Wal-Mart shopping experience.” 

“White Plains is excited about this opening, and we are eager to have Wal-Mart joining our corporate community,” said White Plains Mayor Joseph Delfino.  “Wal-Mart has established itself in communities throughout the United States and the world, and now residents and visitors to our city will be able to enjoy the low prices and large selection for which Wal-Mart is known.”

Additional Wal-Mart White Plains Features

According to Store Manager Calvin Lechliter, the store will incorporate several unique design elements while featuring many of the retailer’s new merchandise products rolling out this summer.

Inside, customers will find wider aisles, eye-appealing wood floors that accent department areas, new George® and Metro 7® clothing lines and new signage.  Additionally, a new line of Wal-Mart’s exclusive SELECT series® of GE small appliances will be available among a wide selection of home décor and home organization merchandise.  The store’s electronics department will showcase the latest in computers, DVD players, iPods and high-definition televisions.   The store also offers limited produce, dry goods and refrigerated foods, providing residents easy access to fresh, nutritious foods within walking distance of their downtown homes. 

In all, the store will feature 36 general merchandise departments including apparel, health and beauty aids, household needs, toys, fabrics and crafts, lawn and garden supplies, jewelry, and shoes – all displayed on lower shopper-friendly shelves.  The store also offers a vision center, a one-hour photo lab, a pharmacy, and a Wal-Mart Connect Center for wireless phones.  Businesses on site that offer additional convenience include a Dunkin’ Donuts restaurant and a Regal Nail Salon. 

“We are thrilled to expand our presence with the 60^th Dunkin’ Donuts restaurant within a Wal-Mart.  Dunkin’ Donuts has been part of the White Plains community since 1993, and this new restaurant will enable the brand to continue fueling customers where they work, live, and now, shop,” said Bill Rogers, new business development manager for Dunkin’ Brands. 

 “Wal-Mart is a perfect fit for White Plains, offering new jobs, new investment and community leadership.  It is a major win for the city that Wal-Mart has chosen White Plains to open a unique downtown store,” said developer Anthony DiTommaso, Jr., CEO of Ivy Realty.  “We are excited to help bring one of the world’s best known brand names to White Plains and to be a part of this area’s retail renaissance,” he added.

The White Plains Wal-Mart will be open from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m., seven days a week and will include 19 full-service, four express, and three, self-check-out lanes.

$67,000 in Grants at the Start

Wal-Mart will provide $67,000 in various community grants before opening its doors in White Plains, beginning with the recently announced $40,000 donation to the White Plains Sculpture Garden, a pedestrian-friendly initiative that features works of art throughout the city’s downtown area.  

“Our goal in community giving is to support programs that better the lives of our neighbors, as well as help a community achieve its long-term goals,” said Lechliter.  “We look forward to building relationships with the groups that make the White Plains area a great place to live and work.”  

With the goal of giving back locally, the store will provide community grants throughout the year to local organizations.  Organizations can contact their local store for details.   

400 Jobs

The store will employ approximately 400 associates, and more than 4,200 people applied for jobs at the new  store, according to Lechliter.  “Our associates are eager to open the doors to a new shopping experience for Westchester County, and each has personally touched this project by working to set our product and prepare for this opening.” 

Lechliter added that most associates originally hired last summer and fall have been working at other area Wal-Mart stores for many months, gaining valuable experience as the new store neared completion. “Despite the fact we had to adjust our opening date a few months back, the majority of associates stayed on with the company working at other locations in anticipation of the store opening.  This event is especially important to these associates, and we are so thankful for the great team we now have in place that will make this store’s shopping experience top of the line.”

Grand Opening Activities

White Plains Mayor Joseph Delfino is scheduled to assist Lechliter with the store’s ribbon cutting while store associate Renee O’Neal will perform the national anthem.  Members of the American Legion Post 135 Honor Guard will present the colors at a private VIP preview the evening before the grand opening. Other activities planned during the grand opening event include numerous product samplings, costume character appearances and give-aways.

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WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. July 18, 2006: Dennis Power, the Democratic City Committee Choice to run in a Special Election for the late Robert Greer’s council seat, is the expected choice of a majority of the Common Council to fill that seat until the end of year, according to Council President Rita Malmud.

Malmud, speaking to WPCNR this morning, said the majority of the Council, she expects will appoint Mr. Power at Thursday evening’s work session of the Common Council. Alexis Greer, Mr. Greer’s daughter, was the candidate preferred by Mayor Delfino, but according to Malmud, does not have the votes.

Meanwhile, WPCNR speaking to Mr. Power this morning via telephone at the County Office of Economic Development, asked Mr. Power how he would handle the “conflict of interest” issue raised by the Mayor’s Executive Officer, Paul Wood, last week. Power told WPCNR he would be glad to speak to that issue, but he had to attend a meeting. He said he would call WPCNR back to speak to that issue later today.

Power did say he did not work for County Industrial Development Agency, that he worked for the Office of Economic Development, reporting to Sal Carrera. WPCNR asked the IDA in fact reports to Mr. Carrera. Power said Carrera did oversee the agency, but that Terry Waiveda was the Director of the IDA.

WPCNR asked Mr. Power, (if he was on the Common Council), and the County Office of Economic Development say should support a hypothetical development, like say a deal with a China computer company to build a 70 story headquarters on a county owned or privately owned site in the White Plains downtown, how he could represent the city interests on the Common Council or if he would recuse himself.. Power said “Yes,”  (he could represent city interests), and would be glad to discuss that question, and would call WPCNR back to answer the question after his meeting today.

A spokesperson for the Mayor’s office,  informed of the Malmud “straw poll” said they still expected to take up the council vacancy Thursday evening.

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WPCNR Backroom Bulletin. By John F. Bailey. July 14, 2006: In the intriguing fog shrouding the process unfolding as the city considers a successor to deceased Councilman Robert Greer, two new developments surfaced from the murk Thursday.

Paul Wood, White Plains Executive Officer. January, 2005. Photo, WPCNR News Archive

Paul Wood, City Executive Officer, announced that Cass Cibelli, the White Plains Planning Board member and unsuccessful candidate for County Legislator, has turned in his petitions to the County Board of Elections in a bid to be placed on the November “Special Election” Ballot for the remaining year of Councilman Greer’s term. Wood also said Alexis Greer, Mayor Delfino’s choice to fill Mr. Greer’s term for the next five months through December 31, met eligibility requirements according to the City Charter.  (Greer died of ALS disease June 27, triggering the process by which a special election in November is required by the Charter.)

Wood confirmed the eligibility of Alexis Greer, the deceased Councilman’s daughter, to take her father’s place for the next five months on the Council was in order, saying she was a legal resident of the city for the amount of time required by the Charter, having been a resident for years when she lived with her parents. Wood added Ms. Greer did not have to be a registered voter to be appointed to the Common Council.

Wood  noted that Ms. Greer did not have as much baggage as Mr. Power, whom Wood said had “a clear conflict of interest” if he were placed on the council, or ultimately elected to the Council.

 Mr. Power is currently employed by the Westchester County Industrial Developent Agency as an aid to its Director, Sal Carrera. The IDA often does business with the city, and its developers, most notably, Louis Cappelli, the IDA having very quietly granted Mr. Cappelli a $27 Million loan on the construction of the City Center parking garage, without announcing it or sending out a press release.

Wood told WPCNR the city would challenge Power’s selection to the council either on an interim basis, and should Mr. Power (with a strong Democrat majority in registered voters), wins the November Special Election against Mr. Cibelli, the city would also challenge any election of Mr. Power on the same conflict of interest issues.

Wood said the challenge would be brought to the Ethics Board and through the courts based on the alleged conflict of interest, due to Mr. Power’s conflict  of allegiance to the county in conflict with the needs of the city. (The city is particularly interested in developing its own Industrial Development Agency, and may seek an increase in sales tax, issues in direct conflict with Mr. Power’s duties on the IDA – bringing businesses to Westchester County.)

 Wood said that though the City Charter does not spell out the circumstances of Mr. Power’s serving as a conflict of interest, the city Ethics Board had more stringent guidelines that he declined to elaborate upon. Wood saw a scenario where Mr. Power, should he be elected would be declared ineligible to serve on the basis of the conflict and Mr. Cibelli securing the seat by default, even if Cibbelli  should lose the election.

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WPCNR STAGE DOOR. From Allan Gruet. July 12, 2006: Thursday night, Westchester Broadwayt Theatre opens its summer show, the sizzling “HOT MIKADO” is a 1940’s swing-time, gospel-infused version of Gilbert and Sullivan’s  most popular operetta, “The Mikado.” The show will feature a multi-media effect never-before-seen at the premier Westchester venue: giant video screens of the rock concert variety that will repackage the live sensory experience.

The Leads.  Sarah Darling as Yum-Yum, Jay Russell as Ko-Ko,
       and Adam Zelasko as Nanki-Poo

Photo, Courtesy, Westchester Broadway Theatre  By John Vecchiola

“Hot Mikado” is a hilariously funny story about Nanki-Poo, a wandering minstrel (who now plays the trumpet) and his beautiful little sweetheart, Yum-Yum. Yum-Yum, however is engaged to the town executioner, and there is another lady, an aging torch singer named Katisha who is on the trail of boyfriend Nanki-Poo.

The love triangle and all of the complications are what set the tone for this hilariously funny, upbeat production. Try to imagine “Three Little Maids” sung in the style of the Andrew Sisters, or “Alone  and Yet Alive” performed as a torch song, or “Katisha’s Warning” as a gospel number. Comedy and high energy dance numbers are the main features of this modern adaptation.

Director/choreographer David Bell has included many different styles of dance, including jitterbug, tap, swing, and a number of other modern and contemporary dance styles. High-stepping gentlemen take to the stage wearing brightly colored Zoot suits. Gilbert and Sullivan’s nonsensical plot hasn’t changed too much, but the music is definitely updated by Rob Bowman, who is responsible for the musical adaptation and arrangements. The show is a funny and irreverent production that takes nothing seriously, including itself!

“Hot Mikado” offers high-energy entertainment!

The Westchester Broadway Theatre production will star Ted Levy as The Mikado, Jay Russell as Ko-Ko , Michael James Leslie as Pooh-Bah, BJ Crosby as Katisha, Adam Zelasko as Nanki-Poo, Sarah Darling as Yum-Yum, Stephanie Youell as Pitti-Sing, and Kia Lee as Peep-Bo. The entire production is Choreographed and directed by David Bell, with Musical Direction by Joel Gelpe, Costume design by Brian Hemeseth, Set design is by George Puello & Steve Loftus, Lighting design by Andrew Gmoser, and Sound design by Jon Hatton.

For ticket information, contact 914-592-2222, 10 A.M. through the evening, 7 days a week.

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WPCNR WEATHER SCOOP. From National Weather Service. July 12, 2006: After passing to the North of White Plains the tornado reported by the National Weather Service has moved out of the White Plains area and the Tornado Warning has been cancelled. Readers should monitor radio, The Weather Channel, News 12, and of course, WPCNR for the latest conditions during these unstable weather conditions. A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 8 P.M. E.D.T.