Wood: Planning Commish Preparing Comprehensive Plan Review Since Spring. Out Jan

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WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. By John F. Bailey. December 17, 2004: Paul Wood, the Executive Officer for Mayor Joseph Delfino told WPCNR Wednesday that an in-depth review of the 1997 City Comprehensive Plan is now in the process of being prepared by City Planning Commissioner Susan Habel, and is in the final stages.


 



PAUL WOOD, CITY EXECUTIVE OFFICER, shown in September. Mr. Wood responded with regret at the Citizens’ Plan Committee submission this week of a 66-page report suggesting directions the city should take in reviewing the City’s Comprehensive Plan, and said it was an attempt to force their vision on the rest of the city. Photo, WPCNR News Archive.


 


He said the “comprehensive review” sought by the Citizen’s Planning Committee was already being done and would be released in about a month and a half, perhaps sooner.


Wood, interviewed on the phone by WPCNR, was responding to the CPC submission of a letter and a 66-page preliminary report identifying the issues the CPC thinks should be addressed in any review of the City Comprehensive Plan,  to the Mayor and Common Council released to the media this week.


 


Review is a Function of Government.


 


Wood said the release of the 66-page report, prepared independently by a group of eighteen citizens from the outlying suburban areas without the input of city departments, and its accompanying news release was untimely, because the preparation of a review of the Comprehensive Plan was the function of government that should involve the cooperation and input of all citizens of White Plains through a series of public hearings.



He said it was too early for the city to commit to sending an observer to the January 13 meeting at Ridgeway School that the citizens group has scheduled to facilitate a review of the Comprehensive Plan.


 


Two Years Overdue? A lot going on.


 


The group said in announcing the meeting that a review of the City Plan was two years overdue.  Because of this they had undertaken among themselves, (since many of them were involved in preparation of the 1997 Plan), to start such a review themselves.


 


In it, they were highly critical of the success or, what they considered the lack of success and the pace of the way the downtown revitalization is developing. The group also expressed concern over more development and where. They submitted their highlighting and critiquing  directions and issues they felt the city should be considering in determining what goals for development and city projects and needs should be emphasized over the next five years.


 


Commissioner of Planning Susan Habel told  WPCNR  the report was started late because of the large number of projects coming through the city approval process the last two years.


 


Wood considers the Report:


 


Wood said it  was not the Citizens’ Plan Committee  place to tell the city what to consider on an independent, ad hoc basis, in a discourse to WPCNR:


 


“The City is undertaking the review of the Comprehensive Plan. It’s being done by the Planning Commissioner. It will be completed in a month and delivered to the Planning Board at a public meeting as called for in the 1997 Master Plan. There will be plenty of opportunity for citizens’ comments, ” Mr. Wood said.


 


A Report from “Unhappy People.”


 


 “The  (Citizens’ Plan) committee is certainly not bipartisan and not diverse in any sense,” Wood criticized. “Most of the people who have signed on to the Committee are unhappy people who have not gotten what they’ve wanted.  They’ve been here (in City Hall) opposing projects. They’re a group with a biased vision, not non-partisan.”


 


Their comments will be considered with “everyone else’s”


 


Wood welcomed their comments:


 


“As a citizen’s group – which is what they are. They’re free to comment and to do whatever they like. We feel they are a small minority whose comments will be considered along with every one else’s.


 


We’ve taken a look at their press release and their plan and they are (both) riddled with inaccuracies and they would take too long to correct.  As to their concern about commercial creep, neighborhoods are protected. Policies are in place and followed.”


 


Job of Government.


 


Wood characterized the  Citizen’s Plan Committee as an attempt to “hijack” the government process to promote its own  point of view and control the way the city is going to go in the future by releasing the report. Wood said the Committee should have known or could have asked if the review was in the process.


 


“The process is through the government and elected officials in a series of public meetings of all the citizens,” Wood said. He said the city had not decided to what extent it would participate in the January 13 meeting.


 

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Merry Christmas, Samaritan House! Decision Friday. Ryan: Closing Is Not Option

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WPCNR County Clarion-Ledger. By John F. Bailey. December 17, 2004: WPCNR News has learned Westchester County will announce today  whether Samaritan House, the women’s homeless shelter at Grace Church on Church Street will remain open or close by the New Year.


 


County Legislator William Ryan told WPCNR Thursday afternoon that Nancy Travers, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Social Services, had assured him closing was not an option as previously reported by other publications, that the rent was the last remaining issue.


 


Rent the Last Hurdle.


 


Ryan made it clear to WPCNR it was his understanding the Samaritan House homeless shelter situation had been resolved between the two parties with the goal to stay open, and only the final rent was left to discuss.


 


He said that staying open, meant Samaritan House would stay open without any interruption in service as the goal, and the attempt would be made that residents would not be sheltered elsewhere while other arrangements to keep Samaritan House open were worked out.


 


The county and Grace Community Services have kept the residents of Samaritan House “in the dark” for a week, not advising them or the management staff supervising the residents whether they will still have a home or a job as of the first of the year. A source who works for Grace Community Church in a management capacity, interviewed by WPCNR said they were operating with two mandates: 1.) To close the shelter, and 2.) To keep it open.


 


The source employed by the Grace Community Services operation, said the organization had just begun an effort to contact and hire the “5 or 6 persons” back they needed to keep Samaritan House open, (as of Wednesday), and that the day-to-day operations staff were very stressed over the ambiguity of their fate. Samaritan House has been operating by shifting personnel back and forth between the men’s shelter, Open Arms, and Samaritan House, they said


 


Gifts from the Santa Spano and the 17 Legislators in Spano’s Workshop.


Coal for Samaritan?


 


The County Legislature started awarding early holiday gifts of its $9 Million surplus this week.


 


One of them was an additional $750,000 in funding for the arts and county service agencies, including  My Sister’s Place, the county-contracted service for battered women, long supported by Amy Paulin, the State Assemblywoman  for the 88th District.


 


Three Weeks to debate less than half the Arts and Social Services Windfall.


 


On the other hand, the county has spent three weeks deliberating how to deal with a requested increase less than half the “gift” announced Monday to the arts and other social service agencies.


 


 The month-long hissy fit between the D.S.S. and Samaritan House, which according to Ryan, Samaritan House overreacted defensively to D.S.S. budget questioning, has been causing residents to fret and go through anxiety over having to leave to go to other shelters. This has been confirmed by WPCNR by speaking to our insider employee sources at Samaritan.


 


The Samaritan House budget increase request was for less than half that amount that the County showered as a bonus to the arts and social service agencies. A sum settling in the $225,000 range was the Samaritan House figure that stirred the Department of Social Services scrutiny.


 


Tolchin Not Talkin’


 


It should be noted that WPCNR has repeatedly asked Susan Tolchin, Chief Advisor to County Executive Andy Spano, and Director of Communications to have Kevin Mahon or Ms. Travers of the D.S.S. explain to WPCNR, whether it was a management problem at Samaritan House, an accounting problem, or a staffing problem that caused them to balk at the figure.


 


WPCNR  asked  Ms. Tolchin, for the Department of Social Services could explain how many staff persons were required by law to operate a homeless shelter for 19 persons on each 8-hour shift, since Samaritan House dismissed six employees in mid-November and has been operating with 1 to 2 employees on every 8-hour shift.  


 


How many do you need on shift anyway?


 


The D.S.S. has yet to contact WPCNR, even though Ms. Tolchin has been asked to prod them to do so.  The source WPCNR has who is familiar with personnel matters there could not explain to WPCNR how many staff they had to have per shift. The reason this question is key is that if Samaritan House was billing the D.S.S. for 9 persons and only paying for say, six, or five when occupancy of the home dipped, that might be a cause for concern. On the other hand if for the last month it is o.k. to operate with 3 persons supervising,  then why did Samaritan House need 9 in the first place.


 


Samaritan House the Final Hours or a Christmas Miracle.


 


The WPCNR source at Samaritan House, speaking on condition of anonymity, reported that Samaritan House management (Grace Community Services) had had a meeting with Larry Schwartz, Deputy County Executive, and Kevin Mahon, Commissioner of the Department of Social Services last Wednesday where a cut budget (according to County Legislator Ryan) was submitted.


 


The Samaritan House source said the D.S.S. asked some questions about it, and Grace sent back answers to those questions on Friday, and were queried some more. The source said the second round of answers were submitted to the Department of Social Services Monday, and as of  late Wednesday evening Grace Community Services had not heard back.


 


Ryan: Closing Not an Option. Rent’s the Hurdle.


 


Today after Ms. Travers was quoted in The Journal News as still considering the “close option,” we asked Legislator Ryan why there had been no response on the part of the D.S.S. since Monday.


 


Ryan who has been closely monitoring the association told WPCNR Thursday afternoon by phone that “all differences have been resolved except one. They are now negotiating on the rent issue.”


 


According to published reports, Grace Community Services was charging Samaritan House in its building a $70,000 increase in rent, (paying rent to itself). Sources attempting to explain the situation to WPCNR said that the church was trying to cover its deficits in running the program.


 


Ryan told WPCNR he was expecting an agreement to be arranged.


 


A call to the Department of Communications at 6 P.M. yielded no information as to when any announcement was to come.


 


Nevertheless, the question remains, will County Executive Spano have one more check left in his bag? Or is this just fool’s gold?

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Private Group Lands St. Agnes Property for $21.4 Million. Pirro Group Outbid.

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WPCNR East Side Story. Special to WPCNR, December 15, 2004: An investor group called Noyack Equity Group outbid a consortium  which included celebrity Albert Pirro’s White Plains investment group to acquire the St. Agnes Hospital property adjacent to the New York Presbyterian Hospital property yesterday.  The Italian Hospital Society which had coveted the property for an Italian-American assisted living facility dropped out early in the former St. Agnes Hospital property auction at the County Courthouse.


 


Noyack acquired the property for $21.4 Million, outlasting the Simone Development-Pirro Group-Fisher Brothers group that had purchased the lease on 311 North Street last week, by several hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Pirro, present for the auction, according to the WPCNR observer,  pulled back from the action, fading only after the bidding settled into a $100,000 a bid “back-and-forth” at the $20.4 Million mark.


 



 


ST. AGNES HOSPITAL GOING ONCE. GOING TWICE. SOLD TO  NOYACK EQUITY GROUP: The property, is the complex of buildings to the right center of the picture, across North Street from the former General Foods property on the left.  Interstate 287 crosses on the upper left.  The St. Agnes piece is currently zoned by the City of White Plains as residential with a Special Permit for use as a hospital, and would require extensive rezoning for building anything other than single family residential units.l WPCNR was not faxed or e-mailed an official statement by the Mayor’s Office on the auction result. Photo by WPCNR News.

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Creators of 97 Master Plan, Challenge Mayor, Council Create New One In January.

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WPCNR Southend Times. By John F. Bailey. December 15, 2004: Eight White Plains citizens, calling themselves the “Citizens’ Plan Committee,”  have analyzed the execution of the 1997 Comprehensive Plan since the beginning of the Delfino Administration.  They delivered their 66-page preliminary “state of the plan” report to Mayor Joseph Delfino and members  of the Common Council, last week.


 



Robert Stackpole addressing about eighty persons in May at Our lady of Sorrows when Mike Graessle, former Commissioner of Planning called for a new look at the 1997 Comprehensive Plan for the city. A report generated as a result of this meeting was delivered this week to the Mayor, calling to start the process, saying the time is now to see where the city is at. Photo, WPCNR News Archive.


 


Their report targets issues they  feel the city needs to address now as 21st Century White Plains evolves. The Committee alleges the city is allowing developers to determine how the city will evolve. They want the Mayor and Council to develop a tighter vision of what the city will become, by involving the members of the committee and the citizens of White Plains and ask for creation of a new Comprehensive Plan Task Force.


 


The CPC has invited the Mayor and Common Council to begin the process of updating the 1997 Plan by  joining them and “the community” in a meeting to start the task on January 13 at Ridgeway School, at 7:30 P.M. The Mayor’s Office, to WPCNR knowledge at this time, has not responded with a statement on the invitation.


 


 


The eight leaders challenge the Mayor and the Council to take up the process they have begun with the issuance of their report. The 66-pager is entitled Citizens’ Plan Committee Approach to Updating the 1997 Comprehensive Plan, calls for a citywide Comprehensive Plan task force to undertake a “comprehensive examination” of a variety of issues, challenging the present administration to evaluate their assumptions.


 


The report  is described as “an outgrowth” of a six-month effort by a number of well-known White Plains citizens, many of whom participated in the preparation of the 1997 plan, and who contributed to the new report.


 


The roster  includes,  Terrence M. Conroy (long Parking Authority member), Claire M. Eisenstadt (local architect), Michael Graessle (former Commissioner of Planning), John W. Harrington (White Plains history expert), Daniel P. Hickey (former Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety), John B. Kirkpatrick (development law and zoning expert), Robert H. Levine (architect/planner), John M. Martin (former councilman), Robert Myerson, ( 1997  Comprehensive Task Force Committee member) Marc Pollitzer (1997 Comprehensive Plan Task Force Member, Council of Neighborhood Associations personality), Robert Roston (Conservation Board Chair), Daniel R. Seidel (environmental law activist), Robert Stackpole (Planning Board member), Lewis P. Trippett (Board of Education member Emeritus), John M. Vorperian (county attorney and Council of Neighborhood Associations member), and Saul M. Yanofsky (Superintendent of Schools Emeritus).


 


Questions Development. 


 


“The community didn’t knock itself out developing the 1997 Plan just to see it superseded by isolated development interests,” Committee member Bob Meyerson is quoted in the official press release as saying. Meyerson is a committee member, who worked on the 1997 plan, and says, “As a community, we articulated the importance of maintaining the City’s unique social and economic diversity and our proud tradition of distinct neighborhoods complemented by a vibrant commercial sector.”


 


The roster of preparers of this report does not  include representatives of the African-American community, the Hispanic community, the business community, the health community, restauranteurs,  property owners of major parcels in the downtown, county government (White Plains is the County seat) or major “developers,” (Louis Cappelli, Peter Gilpatrick, Martin Ginsberg, Leon Silverman, Anthony Longhitano), whom the Committee sites as the major reasons for creating a new Comprehensive Plan now.  All of the preparers live in the outlying ultra suburban, higher priced neighborhoods of the city, and the roster of preparers apparently do not appear to enlist the services of any residents of apartments.


 


The Challenges


 


The 66-pager isolates four areas of concern and asks the city consider with them and the community of White Plains


 


Finance:


 


The report, according to their press release expresses concern about city finances going into the future, calling attention to the need for closer analysis: “The long anticipated rebuilding of the core area, and extensive neighborhood infills have not, however, produced the positive financial impact that the citizens had reason to expect,”


 


Core Area:


 


The news release notes the $1 Billion of development underway, but suggests “it is time to take stock of all this development cumulatively.”


The Committee calls for setting limits if needed on building heights, determining impacts on infrastructure, figuring the city capacity for additional development and whether zoning should or should not be revised.


 


Neighborhoods


 


The news release asks that the new Comprehensive Plan is needed to address the need for affordable housing, protection against “commercial encroachment.”


 


Transportation, Traffic and Parking


 


The CPC report calls on the city to make an independent study (not developer-funded),  to create a “comprehensive approach” to parking and traffic. The report advances the opinion that “a beneficial fit between daytime and evening/night parking demand” would be the result of the present development, but “it hasn’t worked out that way.”


 


The CPC release also asks that part of the “2005 Comprehensive Plan” preparation answer questions on the effects of:


 


·        Development and illegal housing on school capacity and funding.


·        The St. Agnes Hospital closing.


·         Expansion of White Plains Hospital Medical Center.


·        Renovation of City Hall.


·        Post 9/11 Concerns.


·        Using the City Heritage to economic advantage.


·        Active recreation facilities.


·        Resolution of the New York Presbyterian Hospital land conflict.


·        Design of the emerging city.


 


 


Letter to the Mayor – Review of Plan, two years overdue.


 


The Committee, in delivering its report to the Mayor and Common Council last week, described the report as a next step after their May, 2004 meeting at which 100 persons attended a meeting at Our Lady of Sorrows  that called for a review.


 


Their cover letter pointed out that the 1997 Comprehensive Plan called for a review every five years, and it has now been seven years since the plan has been reviewed. The Committee said that the report submitted this week was “In response,” to that meeting and that they “organized a participatory effort along the lines of the previous Comprehensive Plan Task Force to:”


 


1.)   Review original (1997) Plan assumptions, projections and recommendations


2.)   inventory and evaluate what has been accomplished thus far so that we could


3.)   seek the interest and involvement of elected City officials and staff and of all citizens of White Plains to


4.)    update the Plan for 2005, as appropriate.


 


The letter closes as follows:


 


Our Phase 1 and 2 efforts have resulted in the enclosed document. We’d like you to read it and we’d like to talk to you about its implications before making it generally available on Tuesday, December 14th, in anticipation of public meetings, the first of which will be held on January 13, 2005. We want to work together with you on Phases 3 and 4; please get in touch with Committee Member Robert Stackpole at XXX-XXXX. We look forward to your response with enthusiasm.


 


The letter is signed by members of the Citizens’ Plan Committee: Michael J. Graessle, John W. Harrington, John B. Kirkpatrick, Robert H. Levine, Robert H. Myerson, Marc Pollitzer, Robert J. Stackpole, and Saul M. Yanofsky.


 


 

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The First Apprentice Takes a Condo at The Boss’s Tower.

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WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. From Cappelli Enterprises. (Edited). December 13, 2004: Bill Rancic, who catapulted to fame as star of Donald Trump’s “The Apprentice,” is Westchester’s newest celebrity resident. The 32-year-old executive has signed a contract to purchase a two-bedroom luxury condominium in Trump Tower at City Center in White Plains.



 



TRUMP TOWER AT CITY CENTER is the building in center of your picture on the right, the building with the yellow cap. (The view is looking East Southeast over the city from 1,000 feet.) Photo by WPCNR News.


 


Mr. Rancic, whose new home in the 35-story tower offers commanding views of the Manhattan skyline, said Trump Tower at City Center combines the best of both worlds – Manhattan-style conveniences, quality and amenities without the high Manhattan prices. “Trump Tower at City Center offers Manhattan-style living that’s priced well below the Manhattan market, and it’s only 30 minutes from my New York City office,” said Mr. Rancic.



 


“A luxury high-rise condominium in Manhattan with the level of sophistication, convenience and spectacular views of Trump Tower at City Center can easily cost in excess of $2 million in Manhattan, and, typically it offers far less space,” he added.


 


Trump Tower at City Center features spaciously designed 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom residences priced from $600,000 to $1.6 million. Residents enjoy a full array of luxury amenities and services including 24-hour doorman, concierge service, garage valet parking, a fully equipped state-of-the-art fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools and tennis courts; as well as sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline and Long Island Sound. Residences feature high-end finishes including hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, marble bathrooms, cherry kitchen cabinets, granite countertops and numerous other luxury features.


 


Mr. Rancic joins a growing roster of savvy homebuyers who have discovered the tremendous value of Trump Tower at City Center. Since opening for sales in October, contracts for 65% of the 212 condominiums have been signed.


 


Louis R. Cappelli, who is building Trump Tower at City Center in partnership with Donald Trump, congratulated Mr. Rancic on his purchase. “We are thrilled that Bill will be among the new residents who have chosen Trump Tower at City Center as their new home. Trump Tower at City Center offers the best in sophisticated, luxury high-rise living with all of the advantages of a Manhattan location but at a fraction of the cost,” Mr. Cappelli said.


 


Donald Trump praised Mr. Rancic for making “an intelligent quality of life decision. He will truly have the best of both worlds of living in a world-class luxury residence that is conveniently located in the heart of Westchester only 30 minutes from Manhattan and five minutes from Trump National Golf Course in Briarcliff Manor.”


 


Since joining The Trump Organization, Mr. Rancic has been overseeing the development of the new Trump International Hotel and Tower in his native Chicago. His development and promotional activities bring him to New York frequently and his Trump Tower residence will be his base of operations on the East Coast. 


 


Both the Trump Tower at City Center and The Lofts at City Center are the final components of the $325 million City Center complex that Mr. Cappelli is completing in the heart of downtown White Plains. They are scheduled to be ready for occupancy in Fall 2005.


 


In addition to the two luxury condominium buildings, City Center includes 450,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and entertainment space, as well as the 35-story One City Place that includes 311 luxury rental apartments, 50 percent of which have been leased since May 2004.


 


Mr. Cappelli noted that Bill Rancic typified the young professional who works in Manhattan but is “attracted to the sophisticated, high-rise and loft-style living that we are offering in White Plains.”  He noted that Trump Tower and The Lofts at City Center are also attracting empty-nesters who have sold their large single-family homes and are seeking maintenance-free living. 


 


“With more than $1 billion in new construction already started or about to begin, downtown White Plains is rapidly emerging as a true 24-hour city with thousands of new residents as well as new stores, theaters and restaurants all within easy walking distance of Trump Tower,“ said Mr. Cappelli.

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Mayor’s Revitalization Plan 4 Looks to Make Over the West Side:

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WPCNR WEST SIDE STORY. By John F. Bailey. December 13, 2004: Mayor Joseph Delfino’s vision for White Plains, as he continues to makeover the city of his birth, will turn its attention to the city’s nondescript West Side, specifically the South Lexington Avenue and East Post Road-West Post Road cross roads, according to Common Councilman Arnold Bernstein.


 



 


BRINGING IT BACK? The original Schulman- Potenza Plan for revitalizing the South Lexington and West-East Post Road area. Area target is between the dotted lines. Plan is from March, 1996.  Photo by WPCNR News.


 


Councilman Arnold Bernstein reports to WPCNR that the Mayor’s office has confirmed to him that the stretches of South Lex and the Post Road have an appointment for a makeover in the Spring. Bernstein, speaking to WPCNR last week, said that the Mayor plans to involve the neighborhood  of Winbrook and Fisher Hill in a community dialogue for ideas, direction, and input on how it might be achieved.


Bernstein confirms what two other Common Councilpersons have said were rumors they had heard of a West Side upgrade last week.


 


The dialogue with neighborhood never been done. 


 


WPCNR interviewed the merchants of fifteen business establishments along the East-West Post Road corridor and on the West Side of South Lexington last week and they said they had not heard of any specific plans for the area brought to them by the city.


 



View of South Lexington Avenue, Across from Winbrook complex, December 4, 2004.  Photo by WPCNR News


 



SCENE OF POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENT: Townhouses might be built on city-owned vacant lot, and on the rest of the West Post Road block up to Calvary Baptist Church on Orawaupum Street (red awning). Shown December 4, 2004. Photo by WPCNR News.


 



REVERSE ANGLE VIEW, Looking down East Post Road. Buildings on left (North Side) of Post Road were included on the former Schulman-Potenza Plan. The Winbrook complex, far left, is not included. Shown December 4, 2004. Photo by WPCNR News


 


More interestingly, all said they had never been approached by the city for their ideas on how the chock-a-block appearance of the South Lex-Post Road corridor could be improved.


 


Though the Winbrook housing complex, home to 2,000 persons, the most densely populated area of the city on South Lexington Avenue looks neat and displays manicured grounds, the line of stores across from the residential complex,  has no ambience, is all-too-frequently home to itinerant street-drinkers and loiterers many not from the complex itself.


 


A very social street.


 


South Lexington Avenue, as any resident of the area will tell you is badly in need of a redesign, or at least enforcement of the loitering and anti-street drinking ordinances.


 



 


The same description can be said for the East Post Road-West Post Road stretch, home to a collection of car dealerships, restaurants and delicatessens, though thriving with walkins from the neighborhood, and a step above the line of establishments on South Lexington in appearance, could use an architectural facelift at the very least. A major construction project completely changing the ambience was once planned, and the rumored townhouse construction previously reported by WPCNR is supposed to be the start.


 


More than a facelift.


 


However, a facelift is more than the Planning Department had in mind when this idea was first proposed according to former Councilman Bill Waterman, (“The Councilman in Exile”). Waterman says that during the Mayor Sy Schulman Administration a plan was introduced by Planning Commissioner, Joseph Potenza and Deputy Commissioner of Planning (at the time) Susan Habel (now Planning Commissioner),  that would condemn two  swaths along South Lexington Avenue and East Post Road, converting most of the area to moderate and affordable housing. Waterman remembers the housing was going to be for workers of White Plains Hospital Medical Center.


 


Eminent Domain Imminent?


 


Waterman expressed the opinion that at the time of the Schulman-Potenza plan, the area fit the definition of “a blighted area,” which would have enabled the city to use powers of eminent domain to condemn the properties and acquire them for the massive project.


 


It is unknown at this time whether the City plans to use those eminent domain powers in what Bernstein thought was going to be  “The Mayor’s Revitalization Plan 4.”


 


It is not known at this time whether Mayor Delfino’s revival of this plan would be restricted to simply low to moderate and affordable housing or be  a combination of low and moderate as well as middle and upper income housing.


 


A New Story for the West Side


 


The Mayor’s plan is scheduled to begin, according to our sources with turning the city-owned vacant lot on the corner of South Lexington and West Post Road, and the stretch of restaurants-salons-delis  up to Calvary Baptist Church into moderate and affordable housing town houses to be built by “a prominent local developer.” So, far, who this “prominent local developer” might be has not been made public.


 



 


CROSSROADS MAKEOVER: The corners of Lexington Avenue and Post Road. Townhouses are said to be planned to occupy the vacant city-owned lot (shown below) to the left center out to Orawaupum Street, extreme lower left. Photo by WPCNR News.


 



CITY OWNED LOT: Destined for Gentrification? Photo by WPCNR News.


 



 


NEWS TO THEM: WPCNR interviewed fifteen restaurant, salon, grocer and deli operators on the West Post Road–South Lex block a week ago. None of them knew anything about the rumored city plan to take over the block. However, one tenant on West Post Road (in the phantom path of the townhouses) did reveal that the owner of his building was shopping the property. The West Post Road block, December 4, 2004. Photo by WPCNR News.


 


A salesperson employed by the car dealership across the street complained that his dealership has attempted to buy the vacant lot from the City of White Plains but has been rebuffed, as has another car dealership in the neighborhood. The rumored plan is that the phantom townhouses would be built on the Lexington Avenue to Orawaupum Street block, across from Calvary Baptist Church.


 


Speaking of Calvary Baptist Church, which plans a building of a new sanctuary at a cost of $2 Million, of which half has been raised, their minister, Lester Cousin says he has never heard of such a plan and was busily seeking more information from the city Planning Department.


 


About 20 to 25 Owners Involved.


 


Eleven individual owners on Lexington Avenue, and four individual owners on West Post Road, and ten individual owners have to be dealt with in order for the city to acquire the properties.


 


The area selected for revitalization on the original plan ran from the corner of Orawaupum Street and West Post Road on the West down East Post Road to the corner of East Post Road and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, and from the corner of Fisher Avenue, South on the West side of Lexington Avenue.

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It’s White Plains Person of the Year Time

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WPCNR WHITE PLAINS VOICE. December 12, 2004: Every year at about this time, WPCNR thinks hard about the news I have covered the last year and draws up a list of Persons of the Year whose actions and policies benefitted White Plains or had the most impact on life in “The Little Big Town.” This year I have drawn up a list and we ask you Mr. and Mrs. White Plains to tell us if we are on target, by selecting “The White Plains Person of the Year.” Of course, if there is anyone I have left out, persons can write in nominating their own, and we can run a second flight.


The reasons they have been placed in nomination are as follows:


Adam Bradley, Assemblyman for the 89th District: WPCNR nominates Mr. Bradley for his work in restoring state aid to schools in New York State, beginning the first steps towards election law reform, and supporting the White Plains sales tax.


Louis Cappelli, The Super Developer. A perrennial fixture on the Person of the Year list since becoming The Official Developer of the City of White Plains in 2001, Mr. Cappelli receives this year’s nomination for placing his chips on a second major complex in White Plains, his 221 Main Street Development, the Cappelli Hotel-Condoplex, and for bringing his pal, Donald Trump to the city as a partner in its development. The Cappelli “Trump Card” has made White Plains a covetted place to move to and do business in.


Mack Carter, Executive Director of the White Plains Housing Authority. Mr. Carter is nominated for his work in resolving the twenty year search for a new headquarters of the White Plains Housing Authority, spearheading a private investigation of the Winbrook Tenants Council embezzlement investigation, and his efforts to bring video security to the Winbrook housing complex.


Timothy Connors. Superintendent of Schools. Mr. Connors, as he begins his fourth year as Superintendent is nominated for his balanced and productive effort that are creating a focused curriculum that is getting better results every year, and reporting of school district trends in academic achievement, budget demands, and sensitive personnel issues in a timely and clear fashion, in addition to focusing on issues the district needs to consider. His leadership inspires confidence in the school district. He carefully balances whims of the Board of Education with practicality and negotiates shrewdly, maintaining good relations with faculty, administration, and parents who love the White Plains Schools. Mr. Connors has kept the schools that way.


Mayor Joseph Delfino. America’s Favorite Mayor. The Mayor is nominated for his unrelenting drive to complete “The White Plains Renaissance,” and for his plans to move forward on a trolley system for the city, and a similar “Renaissance Plan,” for “Forgotten White Plains:” the Lexington Avenue West Post Road corridor. The Mayor is also nominated for the time being of righting White Plains finances.


George Gretsas. Executive Officer Emeritus. Mayor Delfino’s former right-hand man, Mr. Gretsas took a job in Fort Lauderdale as City Manager in midyear, after six and a half years of taking White Plains from “Nowhere to On the Map.” It was Gretsas, working with Mayor Delfino who brought in development in the downtown, who brought in the Bank Street Commons development, the Clayton Park apartments. A competent individual who got things done, he working with the Mayor is responsible for the White Plains that is today.


Ron Jackson. The Last Activist. Mr. Jackson is nominated for consistently speaking up on uncomfortable issues, and for being the only African-American activist in the city, ardently advocating for the minorities of this city. Jackson’s efforts prevented the Housing Authority Headquarters from taking open space at Winbrook. He  succeeded in raising the public consciousness about the work Jerome Robinson did for this city. He consistently asks hard questions, raises his eyebrows, and pounds those who need to be pounded on the issues.




Rita Malmud, Councilperson. A veteran councilperson, Ms. Malmud is nominated for being the only councilperson to take a stand on the Main Street Sewer issue, who felt resolution of the sewer controversy was important, and who ultimately supported Joseph Nicoletti’s recommendation for the “Nicoletti Bypass” pipeline which paved the way for the approval of the Cappelli 221 Main Street development. Ms. Malmud also supported Mr. Nicoletti’s recommendation for lining the Main Street which was executed this fall.


Joseph Nicoletti. Commissioner of Public Works. Mr. Nicoletti is nominated for being the Commissioner who knows his sewers. He knows snow. He knows garbage. He knows parking lots. He knows garages. He knows rolling stock. He has built parking lots and garages in the city in record time. He has stubbornly refused to cave in on issues when he feels he is being asked to compromise the city, most notably in the Main Street sewer controversy, and well, he does a great job, as does his whole department. In the two years he has executed Liberty Park, the Gedney Field Parking Lot, is completing the Bryant Avenue Shapham Place double deck parking lot, kept White Plains moving during major snow storms, you name it he does it.


Mario Scarano, Athletic Director Emeritus. Mr. Scarano was effectively fired this year by the Board of Education in another one of those hard-to-explain personal decisions that this Board of Education seems to have a knack for making. Mr. Scarano in six years of atheltic directing at White Plains Hospital, expanded varsity sports, started the tradition of sports dinners, made women’s sports an equal of men’s sports, brought in talented committed coaches, and created an athletic program that wins 87% of its contests across the board, while producing the most scholar-athlete teams in the County. He was committed to White Plains boys and girls and he will always be looked to, by this reporter and his staff as “The Athletic Director’s Athletic Director.”


Dr. Frank Straub. Commissioner of Public Safety. Dr. Straub is nominated for developing the White Plains Department of Public Safety into an organization that responds to emergencies effectively in this post 9-11 era. He has overseen introduction of new fire and police units that have saved lives because of the department ability to react and get to scenes quickly with the right equipment at the right time. He has expanded the department, and (we await the latest annual police report at this time), believe lowered crime significantly in the city. He has improved police and fire relations with the media, and instituted a public safety initiative that has been politely executed and accepted by White Plains residents as a good thing. (No city in America respects their police and firemen the way the residents of White Plains respect the White Plains Finest and Bravest.)  The Department Motto of  Integrity, Professionalism and Respect means what it says. He is to be commended for surrounding himself with top professionals David Chong and Charles Jennings who with Straub keep White Plains in good hands at all times.


Donald Trump. Master Dealer. Mr. Trump needs no introduction. However, his investing in White Plains in the south citadel of the City Center with Mr. Cappelli has started an investment boom in the city that has attracted big speculative interest in the city for almost a year.  Because of the economic cache Mr. Trump has given the city, he has to be included in this list of big time players who have made a difference in 2004.


 


 

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Ryan: Samaritan House Is Saved. Church Wants Sam Open. DSS Wants Sam Open.

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. By John F. Bailey. December 9, 2004, UPDATED 2 P.M. with balance of Interview: In an exclusive interview with the White Plains CitizeNetReporter, Chair of the County Board of Legislators, White Plains’  Bill Ryan gave WPCNR an update on the Samaritan House crisis saying it was going to remain open in 2005, because he wants it to remain open.



County Legislator Bill Ryan, June, 2004. Photo, WPCNR News Archive.



 


 Ryan said that he has extracted assurances from the Department of Social Services and Grace Community Services that both organizations want to keep the White Plains homeless shelter for women open, and that Grace Community Services has already reduced its budget request submitted yesterday during their meeting with Deputy County Executive Larry Schwartz. Ryan said he expected negotiations to be wrapped up by the end of next week, and indicated residents of Grace Samaritan House should stop looking for another place to live.


 


Ryan said he met at 1 P.M. with Lois Bronz, County Legislator, Reverend Janet Vincent, Joseph D’Ambrosio, and a member of the Grace Community Services Board.  “I told them I was not interested in who said what to whom. I told them it was time to move on. At 4 P.M. there was a nuts and bolts meeting, which I understand dealt with revised budget request.”


 



Deputy County Executive Larry Schwartz arriving  at the Schwartz Summit at Samaritan, Wednesday afternoon. Photo by WPCNR News.


 


Ryan said the 4 o’clock  Schwartz Summit at Samaritan was “the first of a number of meetings they’re going to have.”


 


Regarding the 1 o’clock meeting with Grace Church players, Ryan said “It’s my sense there’s been a misunderstanding as to what the other side is saying. I told them I wasn’t interested in who said what to whom. I told them to move on.”


 


Ryan also said that community leader Bill Campbell was at the 1 P.M. meeting, as well as Tom Roach, the White Plains Common Council President.


 


Mayor Delfino on Sidelines


 


Mayor Joseph Delfino, the Mayor of White Plains has not issued a statement on that matter, except through a spokesperson for the Mayor’s office who told WPCNR yesterday the Mayor supported keeping the center open, the first indication the Mayor has indicated support for the shelter.


 


The Mayor’s spokesperson said the Mayor had been invited to attend a meeting of a group of White Plains clergy to discuss the matter of the closing, as well as Mr. Roach. Mr. Roach had said at the time the Mayor was supportive of the shelter.


 


Ryan continued his report on his 1 o’clock warmup with Grace officials, Lois Bronz and Tom Roach meeting Wednesday.


 


“What I told them was this: I have a budget that I expect to have the County Board approve Monday. I told Janet (Vincent), I explained there is money in the 2005 budget for a contract for Samaritan House, subject to their (Samaritan House) ability to find remedial cost issues,  that should not be a complicated item to deal with if (Samaritan House) can justify costs. The D.S.S. is prepared to fund reasonable cost increases. “


 


Not a Big Loser.


 


Ryan told WPCNR that it in his opinion, “My position is that Samaritan House was one of the last shelters that would ever close.”


 


Ryan disclosed that he had asked for a list of homeless shelters open in the last year that the Department of Social Services was planning on closing, and that Samaritan House was not on that list.


 


Ryan said when he heard of the Samaritan House closing news, he also asked for a ranking of shelters by their costs of operation, and requested that of the Department of Social Services. When it was supplied within five hours of his request, Samaritan House was not high on the list.


 


Chides Samaritan House for Overreacting.


 


Ryan indicated he was perturbed with the attitude of Samaritan House and Grace Community Services reaction of announcing they were closing, “When you asked for help in July with concerns, you do not simply throw up your hands,” Ryan said.


 


Asked if the Samaritan House operation could be funded out of the County Legislator budget surplus, Ryan said, “As the budget is rolled, you have a little more ability to find funds than you may have thought you did.”


 


By the same token, Ryan said, he trusted the administrative agencies, “the professionals” in county government, to treat service organizations with respect and cooperate. He said he as a legislator was disturbed when he felt that agencies and service organizations could not work collaboratively. He said that as a legislator he is always open when organizations providing services to county government feel they are not being treated fairly. “They run into a buzz saw when they reach the County Board. I won’t stand for that.”


 


Asked if he had any idea why there was all the mystery around the contract negotiation and  Samaritan House had refused to open its books to the Department of Social Services when asked to do so,  whether the Department of Social Services suspected any wrong-doing or poor accounting, Ryan said, “You’re absolutely right. I can’t put my finger on it.”


 


A Three Person Shelter Legal for 14 Clients?


 


WPCNR also asked Mr. Ryan if Samaritan House could operate the shelter with only three persons, and was allowed to trim staff based on number of clients serviced. Mr. Ryan did not know, saying that was a good question.


 


 Sources in the city government and familiar with the homeless shelter state requirements have said homeless shelters are required to have 9 persons on staff (3 staff members for each 8 hour period),at all times to keep a shelter for 20 persons open, Ryan said that was a good question and he would ask the Department of Social Services to explain that to WPCNR. 


 


The cutback to three persons, in effect for almost three weeks, according to Reverebd George Sinzer, has resulted in one client left to sleep on the steps of the shelter just inside the doorway one night.


 


Whistle Blower Not Sure.


 


Reverend George Sinzer who broke the news of the closing to NewsCenter 4 November , told WPCNR Thursday morning,  it was his understanding that any homeless shelter not having 24/7 staffing of 9 persons for 20 people, would have to shut down immediately.


 


WPCNR awaits the Department of Social Services explanation as to whether it allows homeless shelters in the county are to trim their staffing based on number of clients served, either because of caseload, or because of anticipated closing and keep the money budgeted (to keep staff members on call on a freelance, as needed basis.)


 


Ryan was puzzled. He said “I don’t know. They are audited.”


 


The Future Looks Good.


Ryan said the Crisis Developed Because of a Discontinuence in the Talks.


 


“ Why they stopped talking. That’s history,” Ryan said. “All I said to them (Samaritan House) was do you want to stay open. The church said Yes. I asked the Department of Social Services do you want them to continue? They said Yes. All that’s left is the terms of the contract.”


 


Ryan said Samaritan House will not be terminated in 2005.


 


He expected the contract between D.S.S. and Samaritan House to be finalized by the end of next week after the budget is passed, and that that is what the parties agreed to find a way to do yesterday.


 


Samaritan House Residents Not Informed Positively Yet.


 


Samaritan House has not been informed of this upturn in the Samaritan House gloom, according to what WPCNR has found, that the house will remain open, just a cryptic note according to another news medium that the talks were “ positive and productive.”

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OCEAN’S 12 and TRINITY Roll at City Center De Lux

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WPCNR SCREEN GEMS. From National Amusements. December 9, 2004: The Wesley Snipes vehicle, Blade:Trinity and the George Clooney remake of Ocean’s 11, Oceans 12 roll at City Center De Lux this week. The synopses and schedules:

BLADE: TRINITY — Wesley Snipes returns as a day-walking vampire hunter in the explosive third and final film in the Blade franchise. For years, Blade has fought against vampires in the cover of night, but now he is forced out into the daylight for his most dangerous confrontation ever. Rated R

Opening Nationwide, Friday, December 10th

OCEAN’S TWELVE — George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle and Julia Roberts are back for round two in this action-adventure-crime-comedy, joining forces once again to pull off a spectacular international heist. Directed by Steven Soderbergh. Rated PG-13

Sunday, December 12, 2004  
Ocean’s Twelve **(PG-13) –12:10; 3:10; 6:10; 9:10 pm. ;
Blade: Trinity **(R) –12:50; 3:40; 6:30; 9:20 pm. ;
The Polar Express (G) –1:00; 3:15; 5:35 pm. ;
National Treasure (PG) –10:15 am; 1:05; 3:55; 6:50; 9:45 pm. ;
Alexander (R) –12:00; 4:00; 8:10 pm. ;
Blade: Trinity (R) –10:40 am; 1:20; 4:10; 7:00; 9:50 pm. ;
Finding Neverland (PG) –12:00; 2:25; 4:45; 7:10; 9:35 pm. ;
Christmas With the Kranks (PG) –12:10; 2:35; 4:50; 7:15; 9:40 pm. ;
Ray (PG-13) –9:00 pm. ;
Polar Express: An IMAX 3D Experience (G) –10:20 am; 12:40; 2:55; 5:15; 7:40; 10:00 pm. ;
Closer **(R) –12:05; 2:30; 5:00; 7:30; 10:00 pm. ;
Closer (R) –12:30; 2:55; 5:25; 7:55; 10:25 pm. ;
Ocean’s Twelve (PG-13) –12:40; 3:40; 4:10; 6:40; 7:10; 8:00; 9:40; 10:10 pm. ;
The Incredibles (PG) –11:00 am; 1:50; 4:40; 7:20; 9:55 pm. ;
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (PG) –10:25; 11:20 am; 12:30; 1:45; 2:40; 4:45; 7:05 pm. ;

Monday, December 13, 2004  
The Incredibles (PG) –1:50; 4:40; 7:20; 9:55 pm. ;
National Treasure (PG) –1:05; 3:55; 6:50; 9:45 pm. ;
Alexander (R) –12:00; 4:00; 8:10 pm. ;
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (PG) –12:30; 1:45; 2:40; 4:45; 7:05 pm. ;
Closer (R) –12:30; 2:55; 5:25; 7:55; 10:25 pm. ;
Ocean’s Twelve **(PG-13) –12:10; 3:10; 6:10; 9:10 pm. ;
Ray (PG-13) –9:00 pm. ;
Polar Express: An IMAX 3D Experience (G) –12:40; 2:55; 5:15; 7:40; 10:00 pm. ;
Finding Neverland (PG) –12:00; 2:25; 4:45; 7:10; 9:35 pm. ;
Christmas With the Kranks (PG) –12:10; 2:35; 4:50; 7:15; 9:40 pm. ;
The Polar Express (G) –1:00; 3:15; 5:35 pm. ;
Ocean’s Twelve (PG-13) –12:40; 3:40; 4:10; 6:40; 7:10; 8:00; 9:40; 10:10 pm. ;
Blade: Trinity (R) –1:20; 4:10; 7:00; 9:50 pm. ;
Blade: Trinity **(R) –12:50; 3:40; 6:30; 9:20 pm. ;
Closer **(R) –12:05; 2:30; 5:00; 7:30; 10:00 pm. ;

Tuesday, December 14, 2004  
Ocean’s Twelve **(PG-13) –12:10; 3:10; 6:10; 9:10 pm. ;
Blade: Trinity **(R) –12:50; 3:40; 6:30; 9:20 pm. ;
The Polar Express (G) –1:00; 3:15; 5:35 pm. ;
National Treasure (PG) –3:55; 6:50; 9:45 pm. ;
Alexander (R) –12:00; 4:00; 8:10 pm. ;
Blade: Trinity (R) –1:20; 4:10; 7:00; 9:50 pm. ;
Finding Neverland (PG) –12:00; 2:25; 4:45; 7:10; 9:35 pm. ;
Christmas With the Kranks (PG) –12:10; 2:35; 4:50; 7:15; 9:40 pm. ;
Ray (PG-13) –9:00 pm. ;
Polar Express: An IMAX 3D Experience (G) –12:40; 2:55; 5:15; 7:40; 10:00 pm. ;
Closer **(R) –12:05; 2:30; 5:00; 7:30; 10:00 pm. ;
Closer (R) –12:30; 2:55; 5:25; 7:55; 10:25 pm. ;
Silver Screen: Color Me Lavender (NR) –1:00 pm. ;
Ocean’s Twelve (PG-13) –12:40; 3:40; 4:10; 6:40; 7:10; 8:00; 9:40; 10:10 pm. ;
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (PG) –12:30; 1:45; 2:40; 4:45; 7:05 pm. ;
The Incredibles (PG) –1:50; 4:40; 7:20; 9:55 pm. ;

Wednesday, December 15, 2004  
National Treasure (PG) –1:05; 3:55; 6:50; 9:45 pm. ;
The Incredibles (PG) –1:50; 4:40; 7:20; 9:55 pm. ;
Closer (R) –

Schwartz Shows at Grace, Spano No-Show. Ryan Got Money.

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. By John F. Bailey. December 9, 2004: As reported by WPCNR at noon yesterday, the County Executive officially is taking over to try and broker a deal on the Grace Church Samaritan House controversy by sending his Deputy County Executive Larry Schwartz to yesterday’s mystery meeting on Samaritan House, that was closed to the press. However the County Executive has not stated one way or another whether he feels Samaritan House should remain open or close, for want of $222,000. WPCNR has requested a statement from County Executive Spano on the matter.


 


Meanwhile, County Legislator William Ryan appears to have found that money, and then sum in the County Board of Legislators’ surplus budget.


 



 


SCHWARTZ HOLDS THE DOOR: WPCNR surveillance shows Larry Schwartz, Deputy County Executive, holding the door for D.S.S. Brass entering Grace Church Annex for the Mystery Meeting.  Photo by WPCNR News.


 


 





Tolchin denied the County Executive and Deputy County Executive were going to participate in the “Mystery Meeting” as reported by WPCNR three hours before the meeting was to take place yesterday,  when Reverend Janet Vincent of Grace Church revealed to WPCNR that the top two County Leaders were going to attend. Tolchin said yesterday at noon “it was not on the calendar.”


 



ENTER SCHWARTZ: Deputy County Executive, Larry Schwartz personally leading an entourage of Department of Social Services brass in a pedestrian procession from the County office building yesterday afternoon down Main Street and down Church Street,  arriving at 3:40 P.M., for the Mystery Meeting that County Executive Chief Advisor Susan Tolchin would not confirm Wednesday noon. Photo by WPCNR News.


 


 


Ms. Tolchin reported to WPCNR last night after the meeting that was “not on the calendar” that “The meeting was positive and productive, and will be followed up.”


 


 


 


However, no date for the next “Mystery Meeting” was set, according to Tolchin last night.


 


Ryan: County Legislators Have the Money to Save Samaritan House


 


Meanwhile the intrigue surrounding the closing of Samaritan House or the continuing of Samaritan House continues, but  County Legislator William Ryan has quite by accident isolated a source for funding the $237,000 needed to keep Samaritan House going.


 


 



 


County Legislator William Ryan. Photo, WPCNR News Archive.


 


Ryan and his spokesperson Gary Kriss have not returned WPCNR calls requesting details on his efforts to resolve the Samaritan House survival issue.


 


However, Mr. Ryan has the money. Mr. Ryan has reported to the media that the County Board is trimming its raises for each member of the County Board of Legislators, and that the County Board has under-spent its own budget by $312,000 – more than enough to fund the $222,000 give or take some thousands,  that Samaritan House says it needs from D.S.S. to continue operations.


 


The figure has been reported at various times by Grace Community Services Executive  Director Joseph D’Ambrosio to be $50,000, $300,000 or $222,000.


 


Mr. D’Ambrosio has not returned a WPCNR call to clarify the exact dollar amount, and why he was so confused over what his organization needed.


 


 However, the good news is the money is there, according to County Legislator Ryan’s statements to other media.


 


Ryan Says County has $27 Million Surplus.


 


To make matters more rosey for Samaritan House, the County Executive office is reporting the county will enjoy a $27 Million surplus at the end of this year, so the money to keep Samaritan House going, pending an examination in detail of its operations, if the Department of Social Services feels that is in order, is there.


 


Mr. Ryan reconfirmed that statement  about the $27 Million suplus in a media report out today. The county is also on record as providing a $30 Million bail out for the alleged mismanaged Westchester County Medical Center.


 


Why the Mystery? Is Cutting Staff O.K.?


 


WPCNR requested  last week through the Department of Communications an interview with Kevin Mahon, Commissioner of the Department of Social Services as to why the Department feels Samaritan House has to justify its price increases. Samaritan House has had its rent raised by $70,000 by Grace Church, which indirectly operates the House through its subsidiary, Grace Community Services.


 


WPCNR was told by staunch advocates of the wonderful work Samaritan House does,  that this was to make up the shortfall caused by staffing 9 persons to handle the 19-woman capacity of Samaritan House, when the shelter does not serve that capacity most of the year.


 


A request by WPCNR of Reverend Vincent for the number of clients it serves was met by the answer that she did not know.


 


Staff is Now Cut.


 


However, Samaritan House has been operating with three persons, 2 during the day and 1 at night, and a 4th person brought in from Open Arms, the Grace Community Services’ other homeless center for men.


 


Samaritan House is currently being allowed to continue operating with less than “required” staff. Apparently, the Department of Social Services is allowing them to operate the shelter at the level of three persons when they have 14 persons living there. Operating at reduced staff is apparently legal.


 


What does Department of Social Services Still Want?


 


The Mystery Meetings are mysterious because all the Department of Social Services wanted according to media reports, (D.S.S. has never returned WPCNR requests for comment), was for Samaritan House and Grace Community Church to justify the costs of their requested increases.


 


Grace Community Church has refused to do so.


 


The Department of Social Services has not accused Samaritan House and Grace Community Church of any wrong doing, though Grace Community Church has had significant bookkeeping problems in the past in their Day Care Program, as recent as 2002.


 


WPCNR asked the Department of Communications for details from the Department of Social Services on this Day Care Program problem and have not received any statements on those details, though the Day Care Director at the time, acknowledged to WPCNR that the errors happened and the over-billing was paid back.


 


Samaritan House Performance Numbers Requested.


 


WPCNR also asked the Department of Communications for details on the average stay of persons at Samaritan House. WPCNR asked how many persons had been rehabilitated and sent back into productive stable on-their-own living situations over the last several years. WPCNR has yet to receive those numbers from the Department of Communications.


 


 


The county’s new partner in placing the homeless back into productive, contributing lives, Pathways to Housing, an independent contractor with the Department of Social Services has had a great track record in placing homeless persons around the county and keeping them placed.


 


Requests by WPCNR with the Department of Communications  for Pathways to Housing numbers and placements of Samaritan House residents have also been requested, presuming Pathways to Housing has been given Samaritan House residents to place.


 


 


Residents Continue to Seek Warm Place for January 1. 14 Working Days Left.


 


Today’s date is December 9. Samaritan House has scattered its staff, having already fired six of its reported “required” staff for its mandated 19 capacity. Residents have 22 days, 14 working days to find new shelter before the cold fist of winter grips White Plains.


 


Residents of Samaritan House continue be assigned appointments to find them alternative housing as of January 1.  Residents are at this time scheduled for appointments with the county Intake Assessment Center. This would appear to mean that the Department of Social Services and the Samaritan House are in a decommissioning scenario.

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