Here Come Homeless: Hardcore Homeless to 85 Court St Tonite. No WPPD Inspection

Hits: 0

WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. By John F. Bailey. January 10, 2005 UPDATED 4:50 p.m. E.S.T. UPDATED 5:55 P.M. E.S.T.: Susan Tolchin of the Westchester County Department of Communications confirmed at 5 P.M. today that the homeless persons who gather at Quarropas and South Lexington nightly to be taken to county-provided shelter for years, will be driven by bus tonight a short hop across town to 85 Court Street to be housed in the basement of the Department of Social Services.


The Mayor’s Office stated today the city has no plans to interdict the transfer and would accept it. In a new development, the White Plains Department of Public Safety reports to WPCNR the department has not conducted a safety inspection of the 85 Court Street premises, because the building is under Westchester County jurisdiction.


Ms. Tolchin told WPCNR this eveing, that Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, Thomas Belfiore had inspected the premises, and that the County Fire Marshall had also cleared the 85 Court location as conforming to safety codes. She added that Mr. Belfiore had also met with the White Plains Department of Public Safety to discuss the plan  and that the White Plains Police  had no problem with any safety issues.


No Grand Opening of the 85 Court Street facility is planned, Donna Greene of the County said, “we don’t usually do that.”


The county did hold a news conference and tour of the new Valhalla Homeless Shelter on the Grasslands campus two weeks ago to introduce that new facility. The hardcore homeless found in White Plains, since they have refused county services, are excluded from the Grasslands facility, which is why they are being relegated to the Court Street location. The Court Street “base” was chosen, according to the County so they would be closer to “county services” and be more encouraged to come into the system and seek help.  


It could not be determined if County Executive Andy Spano who decided on housing the homeless at 85 Court Street (because according to the Department of Communications the Airport Shelter is “dilapidated,”),  was going to make an appearance at the 85 Court Street shelter tonight on its first night to welcome the homeless in and encourage their participation in getting county help. 


David Maloney of the Mayor’s Office said the city has no plans to interfere with the 2-block transfer of the homeless. He said the police would not prevent the homeless from entering the building and there are to Mr. Maloney’s knowledge, no plans by the county to make a last minute change in the venue.(“You’ll have to ask the county,” were his words.)


Asked if the city was planning a “Grand Opening,” of the 85 Court Street to make the homeless feel “at home” and whether Mayor Joseph Delfino planned to be onhand when the homeless arrived at 85 Court Street to welcome them, Mr. Maloney said, “No. The Mayor will not be there.”


Mr. Maloney said in response to the county challenge in today’s media that the Mayor find another location within White Plains, and did not, Maloney stated, “The Mayor is not going to supply an alternate place. That is up to the county. They’re just dictating to us.”


Asked if the basement of 85 Court Street was up to code (occupancy, sprinklers, bathrooms, etc.), Maloney said the issue of code compliance was up to the county to decide “because they have jurisdiction over us. I don’t know whether it is (up to code).” 


The White Plains Department of Public Safety, according to the County  Department of Communications, has “signed off” on the safety of the 85 Court Street location with the Westchester County Department of Public Safety.


Inspector Daniel Jackson of the White Plains Department of Public Safety clarified the “safety issue” this afternoon, issuing a statement on the safety of the premises:


With reference to your recent posting which states “The White Plains Department of Public Safety, according to the County has “signed off” on the safety of the 85 Court Street location.” The White Plains Department of Public Safety has not conducted a safety inspection of the 85 Court Street Drop-in Shelter. Federal, State, and County buildings do not fall under the jurisdiction of the local municipal codes and are not inspected by local authorities.

Posted in Uncategorized

Bare Bones School Expenses rise $12.7 Million, Up 2006-07 Budget to $167.5 M

Hits: 0

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. January 9, 2006: Assistant Superintendent for Business Terrance Schruers informed the Board of Education Monday night that a preliminary survey of budget expenditures for 2006-07 showed expenses rising 8.34% or $12, 762,082. School District revenues for 2006-2007 were not estimated.


 


The expenditures were based on a barebones expenditure of what it would take to keep the district programs in place as they are presently, with no new programs and no increase in district personnel. A new certiorari payment of $4,489,893 was approved for the One North Broadway-455 Hamilton Avenue property.


Schruers reported the major increases were in the Teachers’ Retirement Contribution, up 45% or $1,854,093; Utilities, up $974,475  (31%); Debt, $1,566,870 (up 34%);Tuition, 403.000 (up 21%).


 


In Utilities, Schruers reports the district expects Electricity to rise 15%, fuel and natural gas, 21% next year. In 2005-2006 so far, Schruers said natural gas prices had risen 50% over last year and said that the district had not budgeted for such an increase. He said at the present pace for 2005-2006, the district is expecting a $250,000 overrun in Utilitiy costs for this year.


 


Health Insurance is up $ 1,250,660, or 7.9%, but the increases for three of the district’s health plans are not in yet, so this could go higher, Schruers said. Salaries (for all current positions) were projected to rise $4,617,652  (5.2%) Transportation $418,523 (6.8%), but that could increase because the bus company contract is being renegotiated.


 


The BOCES expense rise is pegged at $694,340 (or 8%), but this also could rise depending on test scoring contracts now being negotiated. The district is over budget by $125,000 for special education costs.


 


Cert Debt Mounts. $4.5 Million Cert Approved.


 


Schreurs said debt from certiorari bond payments would rise an estimated $2,321,837 in the 2006-07 budget. The new payments for debt on certiorari bonds add 1.5% to the budget. Without bonding for the certiorari payments the base budget increase in debt would amount to 6.74%.


 


In a related certiorari development, the School District approved (in Executive Session) a $4,489,893 certiorari payback to Metropolitan Life and White Plains Plaza on the One North Broadway-455 Hamilton office building. Last Monday night the city approved a $1,366,054 cert on the same property, and tonight the School District kicked in its share of the cert.


 


Bassano: Meet with City to


“Kick in their fair share.”


 


The Board of Education approved a Joint Facilities Agreement between the School District and the City of White Plains for another three years through 2007-2008.


 


Board member Bill Pollak said it was hard to tell what the Joint Facilities Agreement meant to the school district based on the way it was presented. Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors pointed out that “tax collection was a big part of it.”


 


Peter Bassano, Board Member, asked if the Joint Facilities Agreement contained any city commitment to the District’s Five Year Facilities Improvement Plan the District was now considering (and will discuss their decisions on the $67 Million bond plan January 17).


 


Superintendent of Schools Connors said it did not.


 


Bassano offered the opinion  that now as a good time for the district to meet with the city to discuss how  the city could  “kick in their fair share” of the $67 Million in capital improvements the District foresees (though no decisions have been made on what projects to execute at this time).  Connors said he planned to discuss this with the Mayor, the city Recreation Commissioner, (Arne Abramowitz)  and Budget Director, (Ann Reasoner) and Commissioner of Public Works (Joseph Nicoletti) in the near future, but a date had not been set yet.


 


 

Posted in Uncategorized

Patricia Keegan Has Left WPPAC Board of Directors

Hits: 0

WPCNR STAGE DOOR. By John F. Bailey. January 9, 2006: WPCNR contacted Patricia Keegan, another member of the White Plains Performing Arts Center Board of Directors according to the WPPAC wesbite, to get her comments on how the White Plains Performing Arts Center is moving ahead into 2006-2007.


Ms. Keegan told WPCNR she had resigned as a member of the White Plains Performing Arts Center board in September. This was approximately the same time that Eli Schonberger, another director resigned, whose September resignation came to light this afternoon. (See earlier story below.)


When WPCNR asked why she resigned, Ms. Keegan said her letter of resignation stated it was because of her increased responsibilities in her job with Congresswoman Nita Lowey’s office.  


This morning the WPPAC website still lists Ms. Keegan as one of its directors.

Posted in Uncategorized

Schonberger Has Left WPPAC Board of Directors.

Hits: 0

WPCNR STAGE DOOR. By John F. Bailey. January 9, 2006: Eli Schonberger,  longtime patron of the arts in White Plains, pioneer and benefactor of the Sculpture Garden at the White Plains Public Library, told WPCNR today that he had resigned from being a member of the White Plains Performing Arts Center Board of Directors three months ago.

Mr. Schonberger said he no longer could devote the time to the White Plains Performing Arts Center. He told WPCNR he is concentrating on lining up new massive sculpture works for the Library’s outdoor display by September of this year.


Eli Schonberger introduces the Sculpture Garden with Mayor Joseph Delfino at the White Plains Public Library Sculpture Garden September, 2004. Mr. Schonberger is third from left, next to Mr. Delfino. Photo, WPCNR News Archive.



As of Monday morning the WPPAC website lists Mr. Schonberger as a member of the WPPAC Board of Directors on the WPPAC website. The site continues to list The Girls Room and Charlie’s Place as the WPPAC’s spring productions, though the box office Friday told WPCNR they had been postponed and other shows are reportedly under consideration. 

Posted in Uncategorized

School Board Gets Run Through on 2006-2007 School Budget this Evening,

Hits: 0

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. January 9, 2006: The Board of Education meets this evening to get a first “run through” on what the 2006-2007 School Budget might look like. Estimates by this reporter place the budget will come in at  $170 Million, putting the budget on a track for topping $200 Million in the budget year 2008-2009. The 2005-2006 budget is $154.7 Million. Other topics of interest: A new certiorari settlement is scheduled to be approved.

Posted in Uncategorized

Council of Neighborhood Associations Meets Tues to Discuss 2006.

Hits: 0

WPCNR CNA NEWS. January 9, 2006: The Council of Neighborhood Associations meets for its first get-together of the new year Tuesday at 7:45 P.M. at Education House, 5 Homeside Lane with Ken Worden, chairing his first meeting as President. All are welcome to attend: The agenda:



AGENDA:
                    1. 2006 Objectives and Plans
                    2. Discussion of a proposed CNA website
                    3. Issues in the neighborhoods

Posted in Uncategorized

The Three Phantoms to Headline WPPAC Gala March 20. 2 Spring Shows Postponed.

Hits: 0

WPCNR STAGE DOOR. By John F. Bailey. January 6, 2005: The Three Phantoms, a popular road show featuring local former lead in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera, Westchester’s Craig Schulman, will be the headline fund-raising event of the season to give the White Plains Performing Arts Center a new start, according to the White Plains Performing Arts Center Box office.


The gala is the first by the White Plains Performing Arts Center Board of Directors to get the troubled White Plains Performing Arts Center the financial base to steady its creative ship. Promotions inviting Westchester’s glitterati to the Gala are reported in the process of preparation.


The WPPAC Box Office confirmed to WPCNR that “The Three Phantoms” would be playing for one night only on March 20. Ticket information is not yet available. Highlights of the key fundraiser, seen by many as the launch of a new direction and start for the beleagured, financially troubled theater, are not yet available.


 Mr. Schulman created The Three Phantoms a decade ago with Mr. Gray and Mr. Groenendaal, and has been taking it on tour playing to excellent crowds. Prior to coming to the WPPAC March 20, Mr. Schulman and his fellow Phantoms will be performing in Hawaii, Phoenix, Shreveport, and Youngstown, Ohio.  Schulman has the distinction of having played three of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s unforgettable leads, The Phantom in Phantom of the Opera, Jean Valjean in Les Miserables and the troubled Dr. Jekyll in Jekyll and Hyde. More on Mr. Schulman’s colorful career can be found at www.craigschulman.com.


 


The Road Back?


White Plains Performing Arts Center  was reported by Tony Stimac to be $400,000 in the red for the 2005-2006 season thus far at a Common Council meeting in October, and awaits at this time an infusion of $100,000 in cash from Super Developer Louis Cappelli, and an additional $100,000 in funding,  that Mr. Cappelli, a member of the Board of Directors promised to raise. The Common Council at the request of Mr. Stimac, voted to give the theater $100,000 to contribute to bringing down the deficit in a November meeting, to meet Mr. Cappelli’s “match challenge.”


The Gala had been originally postponed from its intended date in October, due at that time, according to Tony Stimac, Artistic Director of the theater, to a conflict with the White Plains Public Library fundraiser. Anyway arrangements were finalized, according to the box office spokesperson Tuesday to schedule “The Phantoms.”


Girls Room and Charlie’s Place Postponed. New Entertainments Searched.


The White Plains Performing Arts Center Box Office also reported Thursday that the next scheduled productions,  The Girls Room, starring the Broadway legend, Phyllis Newman, scheduled to play March 3 to 12 and the play in development, Charlie’s Place scheduled to run April 28 to May 7, both as part of the WPPAC Subscription Series have been postponed.


The postponement apears to be a playing out of  reports from Actors Equity in October that the WPPAC and the Helen Hayes Theatre Company was cancelling their season, which was denied by Mr. Stimac to WPCNR at the time the Actors Equity report was relayed to WPCNR.


A member of the Board of Directors of the theater told WPCNR Wednesday that the WPPAC management is at this time in the process of scheduling replacement productions for The Girls Room and Charlie’s Place, relying on non-Actors Equity groups, or educational groups.


Rental productions such as Playgroup Theater will continue to play the WPPAC as scheduled,  and they are drawing very well, according the Director, speaking on condition of anonymity.


Two calls to Tony Stimac by WPCNR requesting more details on the The Three Phantoms performance and the new shows being contemplated have not yet been returned.


 

Posted in Uncategorized

Hardcore Homeless Taking Advantage of Day Drop In Center Operating at Open Arms.

Hits: 0

WPCNR THE HOMELESS NEWS. By John F. Bailey. January 5, 2005. UPDATED 5:40 P.M. E.S.T.: Jennifer Schaffer, Commissioner of the Department of Community Mental Health told the CitizeNetReporter today that Grace Community Services has begun operating counseling services staffing the Open Arms Shelter during the day for the homeless of White Plains to spend time after they are dropped off by Westchester County. The operation of the Day Drop In Center is now available to serve the population of hardcore homeless dropped off by the County each day from the County Airport Shelter, and presumably that population planned to be housed overnight by the county beginning January 10 at 85 Court Street.


 


Ms. Schaffer announced to WPCNR today that the number of homeless single persons known by the county had dropped 25% since January 1, 2003, through October 31 of 2005, from 440 to 331.


 


.The concept of the Day Drop In Shelter was originally advanced by White Plains Mayor, Joseph Delfino, as a possible way to deal with the homeless in the street problem,  in the wake of the murder of a White Plains woman in The Galleria six months ago. A “hardcore homeless” person dropped off by the county that day in White Plains after spending the night in the County Airport Shelter is accused of the murder.





Schaffer said the program has been operating for three weeks and would be moving  a few storefronts down to 96 East Post Road when the smaller space is renovated by Grace Community Services. Schaffer added that the 96 East Post Road location does not need a special permit, but does need a building permit from the City of White Plains to renovate the full-time shelter. The money to operate the shelter $2 Million, ($400,000 a year)  is coming from SAMSHA (Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration) and stretches for 5 years and then it is eligible to be renewed on an annual basis in 2011.


 


Schaffer commented that about 40 persons are taking advantage of the Open Arms Day Drop In Center,  but not all at one time. Asked if the Day Drop In Center could be a source for jobs or possible day labor source, she said “We just want to win their confidence and get them to trust us and accept our help with their addictions and problems.”


 


Schaffer made the comments in discussing the $6 Million grant announced yesterday from the Continuum of Care Process to the Department of Mental Health and provides housing and needed support services to many homeless county residents with disabilities.


 


Ms Schaffer advised CNR that the $6 Million grant is used in part to continue funding apartments for homeless with disabilities who make use of county services in dealing with any addictions or receiving medical care.  Schaffer confirmed that the housing program serves over 400 homeless persons, providing them with individual apartments.


 


Number of homeless single persons in County Drops 25% in 2 Years.


 


Schaffer told WPCNR that as of  January 1, 2004 the county placed the single homeless populaton at 440 persons and as of October 31, 2005, that total had dropped 25% to 331, a drop of 109 persons.


 


She said that the Shelter Plus Care program refunded by the new $6 Million dollar grant houses 388 persons at the following organizations:


 


CLUSTER – 8


Grace Church Community Center – 35


Guidance Center – 31


H.O.P.E. – 13


Human Development Services of Westchester – 100


Pathways to Housing – 8


Planned Community Living – 24


Rehabilitation Support Services – 30


Sharing Community – 8


Westchester Residential Opportunities – 43


Westhab – 30


Lexington Center – 58


 


Total:  388


 


Pathways to Housing, which came on board with the county five years ago through the Department of Social Services currenty provides Shelter Plus Care (S+C) for 8 individuals; and will attempt to house 10 new individuals based on their  2005 application for a total of 18. Pathways has housed another 60 beds through a DSS contract. WPCNR is checking on whether this is a new contract for 2006.


 


Commissioner Schaffer reports that the Shelter Plus Care 2005 Application contains new funding for 29 new single individuals, 1 family, and renewal funding for 275 single persons and 8 families.


 


 


 


She said that the hardcore homeless who do not accept county services are not eligible for individual apartment housing that the county provides to homeless single persons and families with disabilities. She said the aim of the Day Drop In Shelter is to reach out and win the confidence of the hardcore homeless and get them help for their addictions and mental problems

Posted in Uncategorized

Reader Says City Should Make Sure 85 Court Street Homeless Hospice Up to Code.

Hits: 0

WPCNR MR. & MRS. & MS. WHITE PLAINS VOICE. January 5, 2005: A reader noting the county plan to house White Plains drifting homeless, described by the county as “hardcore”, at 85 Court Street writes:


This is a county building being used as a residence.  It probably comes
under provisions of White Plains’ building code.  Therefore, Delfino
should dispatch the building inspectors to make sure that applicable
codes are observed, filings are performed, etc.  If the building has a
change of use, a new certificate of occupancy may be in order before the
facility can be legally occupied.  Moreover, the city’s fire inspector
must rate the maximum safe occupancy of the facility.  That official
would also have discretion to shutter the facility if it is consistently
overcrowded.

As these are the hardcore homeless, often mentally disturbed, perhaps
the best thing to do would be to resurrect a county psychiatric home for
these people.   They might get the medical attention they need.  They
would be safe.  We would be safe.

Posted in Uncategorized

County Full Steam Ahead to House Homeless at 85 Court as Planned January 10.

Hits: 0

WPCNR THE HOMELESS NEWS. By John F. Bailey. January 4, 2005: According to the Westchester County Department of Communications today, the county is going ahead with plans to house homeless persons collected each evening in White Plains (and currently bused to the Airport Shelter), in the lower floor of 85 Court Street beginning January 10 as previously announced.


At this time, according to the County, neither the Mayor’s Office nor the White Plains Business Improvement District has provided an alternative place to house the homeless as the county requested in a closed meeting last week. The spokesperson, Donna Green,  noted to WPCNR that Deputy County Executive Larry Schwartz had made it clear to the Mayor’s Office and the BID last week that unless the city or the BID  suggested alternative sites  that the county would proceed with housing the homeless at 85 Court Street, because the County does not want the homeless freezing in the streets.


Last night at a break in the Common Council meeting, Mayor Joseph Delfino told WPCNR, he was opposed to the 85 Court Street location, and he stuck to his suggestion that the county hold a meeting with all cities and towns to discuss a solution to the problem, since only 5% of the persons picked up each night in White Plains are actually from White Plains. The Mayor said he had not received a response from Mr. Schwartz to his letter suggesting the countywide conference on the homeless problem.


Asked if Deputy County Executive Schwartz was planning a response to the Mayor’s letter (published on this website in a previous story, “Schwartz Gives City Homeless Ultimatum. Mayor Delfino Responds.”), Ms. Green said she was not aware of any response at this time. Asked if the county was planning to establish a department to deal exclusively and more intensely with the homeless issue, Ms. Green said “No, we are happy with the way the Department of Social Services is handling it.”


Ms. Green said she would check on if Pathways to Housing was asked for its input in how to handle the “hardcore” homeless problem. Pathways is the New York City-based organization that has had considerable success in placing homeless persons for the Department of Social Services.


The Reverend Janet Vincent of Grace Community Church told WPCNR considerable renovations had to be conducted at 96 East Post Road before a drop-in Day Social Services Center providing counciling to homeless planned to be dropped off at 85 Court Street opened there. Though the application for a Special Permit to run the site there was withdrawn at last night’s Common Council meeting because of a procedural matter, and a $3 Million grant has been awarded the County to run the shelter at 96 East Post Road, it will not likely be ready as of the 10th.

Posted in Uncategorized