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. From County Legislator Bill Ryan. May 16, 2005: Friday evening, Legislator Bill Ryan, long thought to be the front runner in the Democrat “Race” to run for Mayor of White Plains, issued a Question and Answer News Release on the topic of his political future, after WPCNR was first to report the White Plains Democratic Party Nominating Committee had not found a person to nominate to run against Joseph Delfino.

COUNTY LEGISLATOR BILL RYAN.

Photo WPCNR News Archive.

Here are Mr. Ryan’s comments in Question and Answer Format:

Q: Will you be seeking re-election to the County Board of Legislators?

Ryan: Yes, I’ll be seeking a fifth term on the Board.

Q: There was speculation that you might be the Democratic Candidate for Mayor in White Plains? What happened?

Ryan: Yes, I did look into the Mayor’s race. It was tempting to consider. The City is at a crossroads and it would be an exciting opportunity to lead it but I can’t walk away from the enormous countywide responsibilities that my colleagues entrusted me with and that I agreed to assume.

A year and a half ago, the legislators unanimously asked me to lead the Board and I agreed to do that. Today, in addition to being the County Legislator for White Plains and Scarsdale, I’m Chairman of the Board with countywide responsibilities.

I’m up to my eyeballs with the most serious issues that Westchester County has ever faced. After weighing all this, my job is here (on the County Board of Legislators), helping to further improve our County, not out in the street in an all time-consuming race for City Hall. I can’t walk away from the challenges facing the County.

Q. What are those challenges that you’re so heavily involved in?

Ryan: Obviously, saving the Medical Center is among the most pressing at the moment, along with ensuring a financial plan for Westchester that includes a balanced 2006 budget, stabilized property taxes and maintenance of the County’s Triple A rating. I’ve also been working on providing more affordable housing, especially for our growing senior population (our White Plains proposal, for example), as well as enhancing our very fine public safety and emergency response capabilities that I helped put into place.

Q. How much was your decision based on your poll?

Ryan: What poll? Okay, let’s say there was a poll. If I had a poll, my gut tells me it would say we’re running neck and neck. By all rights, I shouldn’t be running neck and neck with an eight-year incumbent (Joseph Delfino), who’s presiding over what he promotes as the renaissance of White Plains.

One would think he’d be way out in front. He’s not. In fact, he’s been running scared at the prospect that I’d be his opponent. He’s been all over the place, in front of every camera. He’s been showing up in more places in the past six months than in his entire term.

Those are not the actions of a front-runner who believes he has it locked up.

Honestly, you don’t need polls or my personal opinion. I think most people have a sense as to how this race would turn out.

Q. So, where does this leave the White Plains Democrats now?

Ryan: When I made my decision, I also looked at the challenges facing White Plains and the Democratic talent on the City Council and I saw a number of people who are eminently qualified to serve as Mayor. Let me emphasize, the Democrats have a tremendous pool of talent in the City and it’s not just limited to the Council.

Q: There are those who would like you to remain in County government and become the next County Executive. Would you run for County Executive?

Ryan: Not this year! Right now the only County Executive’s race I’m interested in is Andy Spano’s re-election. He’s a terrific County Executive and I’ll be working hard to get him four more years. We don’t always see eye-to-eye but we have a good, working relationship that produces positive results for Westchester. If down the road, people ask me to run for County Executive, well, I’d certainly consider it.

(Editor’s Note: A voter preference poll asking voter’s opinions on Mr. Ryan’s candidacy for Mayor if he were to oppose Joseph Delfino, and  Councilman Tom Roach’s candidacy for Mayor, as well as questions that sampled  voter opinions on the performance of Mayor Joseph Delfino was conducted some time  in the first three months of this year. WPCNR was interviewed in that poll. WPCNR has been able to gather sufficient information as to what political camp conducted and financed the poll.)

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WPCNR Backroom Bulletin. By John F. Bailey. May 13, 2005: The White Plains Democratic City Committee Nominating Committee has found no Democrat whom they recommend running against Mayor Joseph Delfino, who will run for his third term in November.  The revelation leading contenders for Mayor have dropped out (Tom Roach, Rita Malmud, Bill Ryan, Benjamin Boykin) confirmed what the CitizeNetReporter first reported last week that Mr. Ryan and Mr. Boykin had dropped out, was announced to Democrat District Leaders in a letter mailed Wednesday, received by District Leaders  Thursday.

The text of the Nominating Committee letter announcing candidates for county and Common Council positions reads “The Nominating Committee has no recommendations for the position of Mayor, City of White Plains.

The letter on White Plains Democratic City Committee letter head, was shared with WPCNR by a Democratic District Leader under condition of anonymity.

The appearance of the letter means that  for the first time in the history of the Democratic Party, the Nominating Committee could find no one to run for Mayor.

Council Candidates: Familiar Faces

The letter announces the Nominating Committee recommends to the Democratic City Committee that Glen Hockley,  and incumbent Councilpersons Rita Malmud and Thomas Roach, Jr. run for Common Council.

 Ms Malmud if confirmed by the City Committee as expected when they meet May 24 at the YWCA on North Street, will be seeking to be elected for her fifth term on the Common Council to serve through 2009.  

Where did the Contenders Go?

It was widely expected that Ms. Malmud and Mr. Boykin and Mr. Ryan would dog fight for the Mayoral nomination.

But sources close to Mr. Ryan have told WPCNR that Mr. Ryan’s survey to test his strength among voters showed him losing to Mayor Delfino, and therefore he elected to keep his safe, powerful position as Chair of the County Board of Legislators. WPCNR has also learned that Mr. Ryan has been told he would be supported for County Executive when Andy Spano is up for reelection in 2009. Running against Joseph Delfino and losing would finish him off politically.

Mr. Boykin was the next likely Delfino opponent, but he has not raised funds for a run, and has shown little interest in taking on “America’s Favorite Mayor.” Boykin told close friends last week he was not running for Mayor.

Mr. Roach, will be running for his second term on the Common Council, if the City Committee follows through and nominates him on the 24^th. It was expected that Mr. Roach with his pragmatic thoughtful approach to development and  housing issues, on which he has differed with Mayor Delfino in recent months, at least had a basis upon which to challenge the Mayor. When asked last week about running for Mayor, Roach told WPCNR “You never know,” but that he was more interested in the Common Council.

Ms. Malmud had credentials to mount a campaign against Mr. Delfino. She supported Commissioner of Public Works Joseph “Bud” Nicoletti on the controversial sewer lining crisis that gripped city hall last spring in a story first reported by WPCNR.  Ms. Malmud also spoke up strongly on Louis Cappelli’s affordable housing commitments.

However, party sources, speaking on condition of anonymity have told WPCNR that though the Nominating Committee asked Mr. Roach, Ms. Malmud, and Mr. Boykin if they would run, they all turned down the opportunity.

Hockley Nominated to Run Again.

It has been reported that Adam Bradley was asked to run for Mayor, but also turned it down. But this could not be confirmed with Mr. Bradley at presstime. Mr. Bradley has told WPCNR previously last fall he was not interested.

Still Time Brother to run for Mayor.

Though the Nominating Committee has not recommended any candidates for Mayor, a candidate may be nominated from the floor at the Democratic City Committee Meeting on May 24, when nominations will be open from the floor.

County Legislators Renominated.

The Nominating Committee’s letter recommends Bill Ryan to run for County Legislator of the 5^th District, and Lois Bronz, for County Legislator in the 8^th District.

The Nominating Committee is made up of Zelle Andrews, Lydia Barkley, Howard Glassman,Chair, Robert Hock, Cheryl Melton, Barbara Schwarz and Robert Wall.

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WPCNR COUNTY CHRONICLE. From Westchester County Department of Communications. May 10, 2005: A former New York City Fire Department Deputy Chief for EMS who responded to terrorist attacks in Oklahoma City and at the World Trade Center has been hired as Westchester County’s new Director of Emergency Management.

Carl Tramontana who recently retired from a 26-year career in New York City began work Monday as head the county’s Office of Emergency Management within the Department of Emergency Services. As OEM director, Tramontana will be in charge of emergency planning for Westchester County including Indian Point and coordinating emergency management with fire, police and EMS agencies throughout the county. He will earn $74,395 a year.

             Tramontana said he was eager to start in his new position and that his first priority would be to reach out to other police, fire and EMS agencies in Westchester to coordinate emergency response.

            “Our new emergency operations center provides a great facility for everyone,’’ he said. “We want to make ourselves available to help coordinate and provide equipment and training for departments throughout the county. Large scale emergencies affect everyone and we must be able to work together.’’

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. May 10, 2005: The Board of Education held its public hearing on the 2005-2006  $154.7 Million School Budget Monday evening at White Plains High School. Only one person commented, representing the League of Women Voters’ position on the budget. The League supported the budget but urged closer cooperation and decision-input with city officials on negotiating PILOT agreements with future developers and in negotiating certiorari settlements.

School Budget Hearing Monday Evening. Photo by WPCNR News

Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors (shown above, addressing the Public Hearing)  said that the year-to-year budget increase of  7.61% contained no new funding for new  programs, and funded only three new  teaching positions at White Plains High School. Connors said the budget reflected the School District commitment to providing a quality education for every child, and an effort to maintain average class size of 22 to 25 students, while supporting  the district efforts to close the achievement gap between various ethnic groups.  

Majorie Davies, Co-President of the League of Women Voters was the only person to comment, after Mr. Connors opened the public hearing for comment from the public. Davies, speaking for the League, she the League supported the district commitment to educating all the children and closing the achievement gap.

Ms. Davies, though supporting the budget, made these observations in her statement:

State funding has decreased next year for the first time in several years. Likewise, a decrease in assessibles means less property tax income. This loss represents the greatest concern since property taxes provide over 80% of the revenue to run the district. While both circumstances are outside the control of the school district, we urge the Board (of Education) and Administration to continue to work with our state assembly and senate representatives so White Plains receives its fair share of state aid.

Ms. Davies also called on the district to monitor and make known to the city the impact on the District of the manner in which the city handles its certiorari cases: “A similar effort should continue to make city officials and representatives more  sensitive to School District needs. We urge the school district to take their place at the table when the city negotitates PILOT agreements with developers and certiorari settlements since the school district relies more heavily on property tax income than the city.”

Davies, speaking on behalf of The League of Women Voters, called upon the School District to evaluate “the many programs in the school district,” as a cost saving exercise: “The league’s final area of concern is the continuing need to evaluate the effectiveness of the many educational programs in the school district. Since over 75% of district expenditures are personnel-related salaries and benefits, it is vital to assure that the time and energy of the staff is actually producing measurable gains by the students.”

In closing, Ms. Davies said, “ The League of Women Voters with the goal of the district to educate all children, and the continued partnership with the community in budget development. I urge you all to vote May 17.”

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WPCNR EAST SIDER. By John F. Bailey. May 9, 2005: WPCNR went to New York Presbyterian Hospital for answers Friday on a series of questions regarding the apparent “inactivity” on the proton accelerator-biomedical facility project approved for a section of the hospital property slightly southeast of Bloomingdale’s. The questions, WPCNR asked, and their publicist, Geof Thompson of Thompson & Bender issued the following response. The same answer was used for all the following questions:

What a Great Place for a Proton Accelerator-Biomedical Research Center. The Golf Range as it appeared in Spring 2002, when the two building proton accelerator biomedical facility  proposal was being considered by the Common Council. The facility has been approved for two and a half years, and no ground-breaking or Director of Proton Therapy to oversee the facility has been announced. Photo, WPCNR News Archive.

 WPCNR:  Is the Board of Columbia Presbyterian/ New York Presbyterian reevaluating the proposal Dr. Herbert Pardes and Mayor Delfino reached a handshake agreement on:   i.e., rezoning north part of property for commercial-medical use, leasing the (remaining)  55 acres to White Plains?

Publicist:  John:  The Hospital has no comment on this matter. 

WPCNR: Has the Board of Columbia New York Presbyterian Hospital decided to place the biomedical center -proton accelerator in Manhattan perhaps at their Audubon Park facility?

Publicist: John:  The Hospital has no comment on this matter. 

WPCNR: Has the Board of Columbia New York Presbyterian Hospital decided to concentrate their biomedical research facility in Manhattan?

Publicist: John:  The Hospital has no comment on this matter.

WPCNR: Has the Board of Columbia New York Presbyterian Hospital selected a Director of Proton Therapy, yet?

Publicist: John:  The Hospital has no comment on this matter.

WPCNR: Has the Board of Columbia New York Presbyterian Hospital decided against building the proton accelerator facility?

Publicist: John:  The Hospital has no comment on this matter.

6. Is the Board of Columbia New York Presbyterian Hospital committed 100% to the 55-acre land deal with White Plains as mentioned in Question # 1.

Publicist: John:  The Hospital has no comment on this matter.

7. Will the Board of Columbia New York Presbyterian Hospital seek an extension of their site plan in September for the proton accelerator-biomedical facility?

Publicist: John:  The Hospital has no comment on this matter.

8. When is the groundbreaking scheduled for the proton accelerator-biomedical facility?

Publicist: John:  The Hospital has no comment on this matter.

9. Is the Board of Columbia New York Presbyterian Hospital negotiating with vendors of proton accelerator facilities now?

Publicist: John:  The Hospital has no comment on this matter.

10. Has the Board of Cornell — Columbia New York Presbyterian Hospital decided to offer their vacant properties on the White Plains NYPH campus on the open market?

Publicist: John:  The Hospital has no comment on this matter.

11.  Or  (has the Columbia New York Presbyterian Hospital decided to offer their vacant properties in a private sale to specific developers?

Publicist: John:  The Hospital has no comment on this matter.