Grace Church: We Didn’t Close It. County: D’Ambrosio told D.S.S. Sam Was Closing

Hits: 0

WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. By John F. Bailey. December 1, 2004, UPDATED 12:35 A.M. December 2, 2004: A meeting is in the process of being arranged between Grace Church and representatives of the County Department of Social Services to explore how Samaritan House could be kept open, according to Gary Kriss, a spokesman for William Ryan, Chairman of the Westchester County Board of Legislators. Mr. Ryan is reported today as expressing concern that the Grace Church Samaritan House may have to close if the D.S.S. does not fund them. Mr. Kriss said this afternoon that a meeting is tentatively scheduled for either next Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon between the Church and the D.S.S. and Mr. Ryan. He did not know if it would be open to the press.



THE GRACE CHURCH COMMUNITY CENTER on Church Street. Photo by WPCNR News.


In another development, Susan Tolchin, Westchester County Executive Chief Advisor, and  Director of Communications, talking to WPCNR this morning, said Samaritan House has never justified the increase they requested from the Department of Social Services when asked to do so.


Tolchin told WPCNR today that  the D.S.S. was faced with a 37% increase in funding requested by the Community Center and asked Samaritan House to give details to substantiate the need for that increase. Tolchin said they were in the budget for 2005 to be given a contract. It was the increase that needed to be discussed. She said the Department of Social Services never told them they would not be given a contract.


Tolchin said Grace never got back to the Department of Social Services with material making a case for their need for the 37%  increase. Tolchin said the Center requested a $70,000 increase in rent and $100,000 more to pay for services. “When faced with an increase of that magnitude, we need to discuss it, those are taxpayer dollars,” Tolchin said.


D’Ambrosio of Grace Church Calls to Announce Closing


Ms. Tolchin said that after Grace Church was asked to detail their financial picture justifying the increase, the Department of Social Services, was told by Grace Church they were closing Samaritan House. WPCNR asked who from Samaritan House announced the closing to the Department of Social Services. Ms. Tolchin said Joe D’Ambrosio, Executive Director of Grace Church Community Center had done so.


WPCNR asked if Mr. D’Ambrosio had done so in writing (a standard practice). Ms. Tolchin said no, that D’Ambrosio had informed the D.S.S. by a telephone call that Grace Church had decided to close the center.


Grace Church News Release Issued Wednesday Afternoon


This is in conflict with a statement issued at 4:30 P.M. Wednesday from Reverend Janet Vincent of Grace Church.


In the statement, Reverend Janet Vincent repeats her assertion to WPCNR Monday and again on television News 12 last night that Grace Church did not choose to close the Samaritan House that they were forced to do so by the County D.S.S.


The Reverend Vincent, in her statement, confirms the meeting next week Mr. Kriss spoke of as being in the process of being scheduled, and explains that Louis Cappelli, the developer, had never asked or indicated he wished them to close Samaritan House as a condition of his promise of $1,000,000 in renovation work to be performed on the annex.  Here is the text of that statement, in the press release:




 


 


“We are in the process of scheduling a meeting that will be held next week with the Westchester Department of Social Services,” said the Rev. Janet Vincent, rector of Grace Church, which houses the shelter. “Our intention has always been to keep the shelter open as long as it is needed, and as long as we are financially able to,” she added.


 


The Rev. Vincent said that contrary to recent media reports, the Grace Church Community Center (GCCC) did not inform county officials that it intended to close the shelter. In fact, she said an officer of the Westchester Department of Social Services (DSS) informed GCCC Executive Director Joseph D’Ambrosio in a phone conversation on November 17, 2004 that GCCC would not receive a contract to operate the shelter in 2005.


 


According to The Rev. Vincent, several members of GCCC’s Board met with the DSS Commissioner on July 22, 2004 to discuss funding for Samaritan House and Open Arms Shelter, another facility operated by GCCC.  “We outlined our continuing concern that the shelters have not received contract increases in three years,” she said. She noted that GCCC has had to raise funds to meet actual costs. The Church has underwritten costs for housing the shelter for many years. 


 


“We were in the process of negotiating the new contracts when DSS made the abrupt decision to close Samaritan House in 2005,” she said.


 


In the wake of recent media reports about the shelter closing, Rev. Vincent said DSS contacted the Church last Friday and requested a meeting between the DSS Commissioner, First Deputy Commissioner and the GCCC Board. “We are hopeful that something can be worked out when we sit down to discuss what has happened,” she said.


 


The Rev. Vincent also refuted media reports linking the planned closing of the homeless shelter with a $1 million gift to the Church from Louis R. Cappelli, developer of the Renaissance Square complex adjacent to the Grace Church property.


 


“Originally, Mr. Cappelli introduced the idea of a cash gift that would allow us to contract for the work on our own. However, after further consideration it was decided that the best value for the Church would be for Mr. Cappelli’s construction company to build the renovations concurrent with the $300 million Renaissance Square project. This way, the Church would possibly receive a construction value of the improvements in excess of the $1 million commitment,” said Rev. Vincent.


 


“There has never been a link between our ongoing negotiations with Cappelli to renovate our parish hall and other spaces and the operations of any program including Samaritan House. On the contrary, all of our conversations and correspondence have emphasized our commitment to the poor and our need to renovate our entire building, particularly those areas used by GCCC programs,” she said. “To Mr. Cappelli’s credit, he has never once asked us to consider closing a program. In fact, in August of 2003 he hired and paid for architectural plans, which included renovations of the Samaritan House as well as other programs in the Church. Nor have we been pressured by the City of White Plains,” she said.


 


“We will continue to seek out resolution and reconciliation with the Department of Social Services. We will continue to be an Oasis of Hope for those who seek our help through the Grace Church Community Center and for those who are looking for a spiritual home. We hope that Samaritan House will continue to offer welcome and care,” Rev. Vincent concluded.


 


Long-time Parishioner does not recall congregation being informed of the closing or Cappelli “Gift.”


 


WPCNR has learned in speaking with one parishioner at Grace Church, that the first time she had heard of the closing of Samaritan House was when it appeared in The Journal News  November 23, one week after the November 17 date. She said the congregation was never asked whether they felt Grace Church should close Samaritan House. No congregation vote was taken. She said when she read about it (the closing of Samaritan House), “That was a shock.”


 


She also said that she could not recall reading of Mr. Cappelli’s gift in the church newsletter or it being announced.


 

Posted in Uncategorized

Maisano Reports New Rochelle Family Court is Staying Where it is: New Ro

Hits: 0

WPCNR WHITE PLAINS LAW JOURNAL. From County Legislator James Maisano. December 1:  I am extremely happy to report that the New Rochelle Family Court has been saved.  This past summer my office was contacted by several advocates and attorneys who became aware that this branch of the Family Court would be closed in 2005.  We then organized joint public meetings of the Committee on Governmental Relations, of which I am the Chair, and the Committee on Families to review this matter. 
We listened to all points of view.  However, the County Legislators were troubled by the closing of this Family Court because of the critical services it provides to families dealing with difficult issues such as domestic violence, child custody, child support and children with criminal charges.  We did not believe that it made any sense to force families from New Rochelle, Mount Vernon and Pelham to travel to Family Court in White Plains, when this local Family Court in New Rochelle made these vital services so accessible.  We also discovered a 1997 letter to the Westchester Board of Legislators from Judge Lippman, the Chief Administrative Judge of New York State, announcing a decision that both the New Rochelle and Yonkers Family Courts would not be consolidated in White Plains because of the importance of these regional locations for the Family Court.

 

I then drafted a Resolution that was co-sponsored by County Legislator Vito Pinto in which we called on State Court officials reverse this decision and keep the New Rochelle Family Court opened.  This Resolution was passed unanimously on November 22, 2004 by the Westchester Board of Legislators, and one week later it was announced that the New Rochelle Family Court would be saved.  I must also point out that the State Legislators representing New Rochelle, Mount Vernon and Pelham also sent a letter calling for this Family Court to be saved.

 

I wish to thank all those who rallied together in this impressive effort.  Our victory is a tribute to bipartisan elected officials and citizens coming together in a thoughtful and professional manner to protect vital services for the families of New Rochelle, Mount Vernon and Pelham.

 

 

Jim Maisano

County Legislator

Posted in Uncategorized

Julia as the CLOSER Opens Friday at City Center; Wesley as BLADE Arrives the 8th

Hits: 0

WPCNR SCREEN GEMS. From National Amusements. December 1, 2004: Julia (Roberts) and Wesley (Snipes) newest flicks hit the City Center Cinema De Lux this week. Ms. Roberts’ new vehicle CLOSER premiers Friday at the Centa, and Mr. Snipes newest BLADE: TRINITY arrives one week from today, December 8. Here’s the lowdown on the new movies and the week’s schedule at the Cinema De Lux for all you vacationing college students out there:

CLOSER — Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Clive Owen and Natalie Portman star as four strangers who meet and fall in love in this bitingly honest look at modern relationships. Academy Award-winning director Mike Nichols directed this film about attraction, love and betrayal. Rated R

OPENING IN THEATRES WEDNESDAY, December 8th

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



Wednesday, December 01, 2004  
Ray (PG-13) –12:05; 3:25; 6:40; 10:05 pm. ;
Polar Express: An IMAX 3D Experience (G) –12:40; 3:00; 5:20; 7:40; 10:00 pm. ;
The Grudge (PG-13) –9:45 pm. ;
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie **(PG) –12:15; 2:45; 5:10 pm. ;
The Incredibles **(PG) –1:20; 4:10; 7:05 pm. ;
National Treasure **(PG) –6:20; 9:20 pm. ;
Alexander **(R) –7:30 pm. ;
The Incredibles (PG) –12:25; 1:50; 3:10; 4:40; 7:35; 10:10 pm. ;
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (PG) –12:45; 1:40; 3:15; 4:05; 5:35; 6:30; 7:55; 10:15 pm. ;
National Treasure (PG) –1:05; 3:55; 6:50; 9:50 pm. ;
Alexander (R) –12:00; 4:00; 8:00 pm. ;
The Polar Express (G) –1:00; 3:20; 5:45; 8:05; 10:25 pm. ;
After the Sunset (PG-13) –5:00; 7:10; 9:25 pm. ;
Christmas With the Kranks (PG) –12:10; 12:35; 2:30; 2:55; 4:50; 7:15; 9:40 pm. ;
Finding Neverland (PG) –12:00; 2:25; 4:55; 7:25; 9:55 pm. ;
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (R) –1:45; 4:15; 6:55; 9:00; 9:35 pm. ;

Thursday, December 02, 2004  
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (R) –1:45; 4:15; 6:55; 9:00; 9:35 pm. ;
The Polar Express (G) –10:20 am; 1:00; 3:20; 5:45; 8:05; 10:25 pm. ;
Finding Neverland (PG) –12:00; 2:25; 4:55; 7:25; 9:55 pm. ;
Christmas With the Kranks (PG) –12:10; 12:35; 2:30; 2:55; 4:50; 7:15; 9:40 pm. ;
After the Sunset (PG-13) –5:00; 7:10; 9:25 pm. ;
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (PG) –12:45; 1:40; 3:15; 4:05; 5:35; 6:30; 7:55; 10:15 pm. ;
Alexander (R) –12:00; 4:00; 8:00 pm. ;
National Treasure (PG) –1:05; 3:55; 6:50; 9:50 pm. ;
The Incredibles (PG) –12:25; 1:50; 3:10; 4:40; 7:35; 10:10 pm. ;
Alexander **(R) –7:30 pm. ;
National Treasure **(PG) –6:20; 9:20 pm. ;
The Incredibles **(PG) –1:20; 4:10; 7:05 pm. ;
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie **(PG) –12:15; 2:45; 5:10 pm. ;
The Grudge (PG-13) –9:45 pm. ;
Polar Express: An IMAX 3D Experience (G) –12:40; 3:00; 5:20; 7:40; 10:00 pm. ;
Ray (PG-13) –12:05; 3:25; 6:40; 10:05 pm. ;

Friday, December 03, 2004  
Polar Express: An IMAX 3D Experience (G) –10:20 am; 12:40; 2:55; 5:20; 7:40; 10:00 pm; 12:10 am. ;
Closer **(R) –2:30; 5:00; 7:30; 10:00 pm; 12:20 am. ;
Ray (PG-13) –12:05; 3:25; 6:40; 10:20 pm. ;
National Treasure **(PG) –6:20; 9:20 pm; 12:15 am. ;
The Incredibles (PG) –11:00 am; 12:00; 12:50; 1:50; 3:35; 4:40; 7:25; 10:10 pm; 12:35 am. ;
National Treasure (PG) –10:15 am; 1:05; 3:55; 6:50; 9:50 pm; 12:35 am. ;
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (PG) –10:25 am; 12:15; 12:45; 2:45; 3:15; 5:10; 5:35; 7:55; 10:15 pm. ;
Alexander (R) –12:00; 4:00; 7:35; 8:10; 11:20; 11:50 pm. ;
The Polar Express (G) –10:40 am; 1:00; 3:20; 5:45; 8:05; 10:25 pm; 12:35 am. ;
After the Sunset (PG-13) –5:05; 7:10; 9:25; 11:40 pm. ;
Christmas With the Kranks (PG) –10:25 am; 12:10; 12:35; 2:35; 2:55; 4:50; 7:15; 9:40 pm; 12:00 am. ;
Finding Neverland (PG) –12:00; 2:25; 4:55; 7:20; 9:55 pm; 12:20 am. ;
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (R) –1:45; 4:15; 6:55; 9:35 p

Posted in Uncategorized

WPCNR PHOTOGRAPH OF THE DAY

Hits: 0

WPCNR ROVING PHOTOGRAPHER. November 30, 2004: Today’s POTD is a wonderful sight: a bona fide, genuine “pick up baseball game” in session at White Plains “Field of Dreams,” Gedney Field. Five former White Plains High baseball players, home from college, whiled away a leisurely afternoon for hours in the late autumn sun Tuesday. The players said they got together for old times sake on Tuesday afternoon and it was windups, great catches, and the crack of the bat just for the fun of it.



PICK UP GAME. Gedney Field. Photo by the WPCNR Roving Photographer

Posted in Uncategorized

Mayor Delfino Will Light Up the White Plains Community Tree Sunday at 4:45 P.M.

Hits: 0

WPCNR BROADWAY BOULEVARDIER. November 30, 2004: The ceremonial lighting of the White Plains CommunityTree by “America’s Favorite Mayor,” Mayor Joseph Delfino of White Plains is scheduled for Sunday, December 5, beginning with the traditional city two-hour entertainment holiday extravaganza at 4:30 P.M. in Tibbetts Park on North Broadway, just off Main Street.



OPERATION HOLIDAY MAGIC: The intrepid Decoration Deployment Division (DDD) of the White Plains Department of Public Works, (the big ORANGE ONE)  supplemented by the Festive Light Technology  Engineering Task Force (FLTETF), with the High Altitude Precision Placement Airborne Fleet (HAPPAF) with its Airborne Special Forces were in the field Tuesday decorating the White Plains Community Tree for  Sunday’s “City Lights, Bright Holiday Nights, Community Tree Lighting. The Department of Recreation & Parks will present complimentary refreshments, Starbucks Coffee, entertainment by musical groups, songs of the season and an Ice Sculptor Exhibit. Santa Claus will arrive at 5:15 P.M. Tree Lighting is scheduled for 6:30 P.M. Photo by WPCNR News. 

Posted in Uncategorized

Bryant and Mamaroneck Double Decked Parking to Open Mid January.

Hits: 0

WPCNR THE PARKING NEWS. November 30, 2004: The doubledeck parking garage being built behind the block on Mamaroneck Avenue housing Smiley’s, the Gedney Station Post Office, Francesco’s, Gino’s and Dunkin Donuts  is nearing completion to serve the long parking impoverished Old Mamaroneck Road and Shapham Place neighborhood.


Approximately 600 new spaces will be available on two decks, accessible via Mamaroneck Avenue adjacent to Dunkin Donuts, and from the municipal parking lot behind Mamaroneck Avenue School. WPCNR has learned the “Double-Decker” is on target only a month behind schedule, and will open to the public in mid-January.



PARKING IS ON THE WAY! The Mamaroneck & Bryant parking structure sprawls behind the U.S. Post Office, as seen from the Bryant Avenue grade coming up from Mamaroneck & Bryant intersection Tuesday. It will be opened mid-January.  It is being built for a cost of approximately $2.6 Million bonded for by the city.Photo by WPCNR ParkingCam.



ANOTHER DPW TRIUMPH! The upper deck seen from Mamaroneck Avenue School. Motorists parking overnight or seeking parking for the school, or anticipating a long walk into downtown may enter the upper deck from the Shapham Place lot. Construction is being supervised by the White Plains Department of Public Works. The construction has been underway for about eight months.  Photo by WPCNR ParkingCam.

Posted in Uncategorized

Galleria Introduces New Restaurant Row on Main Street.

Hits: 0

WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. Special to WPCNR  December 1, 2004, Updated DECEMBER 2, 2004: 10:00 A.M. E.S.T. : Monday evening, The Mills Corporation, owners of The Galleria,  introduced a plan for Common Council consideration to turn its Main Street frontage from Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to Sears into a string of four restaurants with entrances opening onto Main Street.


 



THE GALLERIA TODAY: ENERGIZING WEST MAIN STREET: A string of four restaurants is planned for the Main Street Galleria Mall frontage. The popular Florida restaurant, Bonefish Grill is likely to be the anchor eatery. Construction on the facade will take about eight months. The exterior will also features logos of various retailers on the inside. In right foreground is the Sears store. Photo


by WPCNR News.



THE GALLERIA TOMORROW: 21ST CENTURY GALLERIA LOOK:  Architect’s rendering of the new Main Street facade of The Galleria, as presented Monday evening. In speaking with the architect, Wednesday, WPCNR learned from Kyle Tornow that there is a rental option which a prospective restauranteur could choose of having a two-story restaurant opening onto Main Street. Tournow added that in the future, Mills Corporation is planning a complete interior redesign of the Galleria, all three floors.  Rendering, Courtesy, PCA (Architects), Cambridge, MA.


 


 


 


The plan was presented by Galleria Manager Winnette Peltz and Jeremy Meredith, Associate Development Director of The Mills Corporation.  If the Common Council approves, they expect to complete the new look to Main Street a year from now. Construction is expected to begin in the spring.


 


Peltz said the opening of new apartments and condominiums and the expected new residents in White Plains was behind the concentration on new eateries. The Galleria currently features Todai, the Japanese seafood restaurant, accessible from Main. Todai would be joined by up to four new establishments.


 


The Bonefish Grill a chain known for large bars and seating capacity, is the leading candidate and anchor in the four-restaurant lineup to date. Emmigrant Savings Bank is expected to move its present Main Street location to within the mall.


 


Mills analysis of the current White Plains market lead them away from an original plan for a series of movie theaters and seven restaurants in the mall, citing the competition of the City Center Cinema De Lux.


 


The Galleria was last remodeled in 1993. The remodeling will introduce a new personality to “The G” in its twenty-fifth anniversary year.


The Bonefish Grill gives you a look between Legal Sea Food and Coughlins with lots of cherrywood decor. Cincinnati Magazine reviewer Dawn Simonds describes The Queen City Hyde Park Bonefish Grill as “one-third bar, tall communal tables, all masculine with burnished wood…a bank of booths.” In the main dining area, Simonds describes it as a place where the busboys are in chef’s whites who contribute to the atmosphere.


 


Should The Mills Corporation succeed in luring Bonefish to “The G,”  the restaurant should attract a more upscale crowd especially evenings to The Galleria, upgrading its interior attractiveness to retailers. For years The G has been known as the teen mall, catering to swarms of young people from 10 to their early twenties who frequented the economical Food Court fast food places,  the low end fashion boutiques, the costume jewelry stores, shoe stores and pop culture and sports gear establishments and bookstores that have done very well there.


 


Bonefish would give “The G” the possibility of bringing in quality clothiers and fashion boutiques a cut above the stores now occupying the premises to lure the expected influx of $2,000-and-up-a-month tenants and $1.5 Million-and-up Condo buyers filling up Trump Tower at City Center, and at the Cappelli-HotelCondoplex a block away, now beginning construction. 


 


The atmosphere of the mall has been traditionally lower middle class, but neat, functional and customer friendly. It certainly has the best parking in White Plains. Now with the Bonefish, should Mills net them, they will have a popular, proven successful restaurant for the first time to bring in $25-a-plate spenders.


 


The Bonefish is a big fish on the Mills Corporation line, and they need to land them.


 



BONEFISH GRILL features long tables, convivial atmosphere and is known as an unscale singles rendezvous. Photo Capture from the Bonefish Grill website by WPCNR WebCam.


 


Bonefish originated in Tampa Florida where it was so successful that Outback Steakhouse purchased it and has since opened 12 Bonefishes in Florida. The decor features Florida scenes and romances the seafood fare which is described as being flown in daily. For a preview of Bonefish, go to www.bonefishgrill.com.


 


 

Posted in Uncategorized

Westchester County Recognizes World AIDS Day Wednesday

Hits: 0


WPCNR LANCET. From Westchester County Department of Health. (EDITED) November 30, 2004: White Plains will observe World AIDS Day Wednesday with a series of information events to educate citizens to the dangers and spread of AIDS. Westchester County, according to Westchester County Commissioner of Health, Dr. Joshua Lipsmann, has the highest number of AIDS cases in New York State outside of New York City. Around White Plains, citizens can attend the following events inside the city. There will also be two forums held Friday to educate women to the AIDS phenomena:


– White Plains Hospital Center (Davis Ave. @ E. Post Road) will be providing  education materials and information on HIV/AIDS in the lobby from 11:30am-1:30pm.  Contact Deborah Frantzen, Resource Clinician, 914-681-1194.


 


–         The Westchester Coalition on Global Poverty and AIDS (WCGPA) is hosting an event with various speakers and cultural performances.  The event is at 7pm at Memorial United Methodist Church, 250 Bryant Avenue in White Plains (between Mamaroneck Avenue and North Street).  Admission is free.  Donations will support three Westchester-based organizations providing treatment, care, and prevention services for HIV/AIDS in Africa.  Visit www.memorialmethodist.org or call 914-949-2146 for directions.  Free parking.  For further information, contact Ken Paterson at 914-337-4247 or Ron Mitchell at HAPNY@hotmail.com. 


 


– The LOFT is screening the film “Red Ribbon Blues” starring RuPaul, Paul Mercurio, Debbie Mazar, and John Epperson at 7:30pm.  HIV/AIDS information will be available from ARCS, WCDOH, and NYU School of Medicine.  180 E. Post Road, White Plains.  Contact: Yvette 914-948-2932.


 


 


“When people think of HIV/AIDS, they don’t realize how prevalent HIV/AIDS is in our own communities” said Joshua Lipsman, M.D., M.P.H, Westchester County Health Commissioner. “Many people would be surprised to learn that outside of New York City, Westchester County has the highest number of cases of HIV disease in the state,” added Dr. Lipsman.


In the United States, up to 950,000 Americans are estimated to have HIV, with 40,000 new infections every year. In New York State, Westchester County has the highest number of cases of AIDS and the highest number of cases of HIV.


 


In recognition of World AIDS Day, the Westchester County Department of Health will be hosting a conference, “The Down Low and HIV: What is the Connection?” on Friday, December 3 from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm at the Crowne Plaza in White Plains. Featured speakers include Keith Boykin, lecturer and award-winning author; Patricia Nalls, Community AIDS activist for the rights of women living with HIV and their families; and Dr. Lisa Hightow, lead author of a study on a University of North Carolina outbreak of HIV among male college students.


 


This year’s World AIDS Day theme is “Women, Girls, HIV and AIDS,” which reflects on how


HIV/AIDS has significantly increased among women. Women now make up half of all people living with HIV worldwide. In Westchester County, women are contracting the disease more than ever before. Among women, middle-aged minorities are at greatest risk. “Data indicate that compared to their male counterparts, black, non-Hispanic women have a higher rate of HIV/AIDS infection, as do all women between 40 and 49 years of age” said Dr. Lipsman. 


 


The December 3rd conference  will focus on a common avenue of HIV/AIDS transmission among African-American women. African-American women between the ages of 30 and 50 who are in heterosexual relationships with men who are having sex with other men on “the down low” are particularly vulnerable to contracting HIV/AIDS.  Recent national studies suggest that 30% of all black bisexual men may be infected with HIV, and up to 90% of those men do not know that they are infected. Researchers for the CDC have referred to these men as a “bridge” to infection from gay men to heterosexual women.


World AIDS Day events are occurring throughout Westchester County. Included are the following:



  • Hastings-on-Hudson: 

The Westchester Chapter of the United Nations Association of the U.S.A. will hold a forum on Sunday,


December 5th, “HIV/AIDS – a Global and Local Issue!”  The keynote speaker will be Dr. Allan Rosenfield, Dean of the Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University.  He will be joined by a representative of UNAIDS and by student activist Kelley Cope. The forum will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. at the new Greenburgh Town Hall, 177 Hillside Avenue, Greenburgh 10607 (off Route 119).  The public is welcome, free of charge.  Light refreshments will be served.  Call 914-478-3450 for more information or visit www.stratdev.com/UNA-USA/



  • Mount Vernon

– World AIDS Day Ceremony at 11:30am on December 1st, Mt. Vernon City Hall, City Hall Rotunda (open to the public).  For further information, contact Danielle Scholar, 914-699-7230. 


– The Mount Vernon Youth Council invites all youth ages 12-18 years old to “HIV… An


Issue for Everyone.”  3pm-7pm.   Mount Vernon Armory, 144 North 5th Ave., Mount Vernon, NY  10550.  Co-sponsored by The City of Mount Vernon (Mayor Ernest D. Davis), WestCOP and Family Services of Westchester.  RSVP to Tamara Berthaud at 914-668.9124 x 18.


 



Peekskill: City of Peekskill Youth Bureau hosts the day commencing at 6pm on Wednesday, December 1st with a Candlelight Vigil Walk from Peekskill Youth Bureau Activity Center (16 North Broad Street) to the United Methodist Church located at 1040 Main Street.  After the walk, the program will include poetry readings, praise dancing with a choir, and guest speakers.  The theme of the event is: Remembering a Cause, Renewing our Commitment and Mobilizing a New Generation.  For further information, contact 914-734-2186 or 914-734-2051.



  • Valhalla

The following are events sponsored by Westchester Medical Center for Wednesday, December 1st:   


–         9:30am, Opening of the Quilts (WMC Interfaith Chapel)


–         10am-2pm, Information Table (University Hospital Main Lobby);


–         Noon, Interfaith Service for Wholeness (WMC Interfaith Chapel);


–         2pm, AIDS Care Center (ACC) Service of Remembrance (WMC Interfaith Chapel);


–         5pm, Closing of the Quilts (WMC Interfaith Chapel). 


For more information, contact Br. Richard John Lorino at 914-493-1292.



  • Yonkers

– December 1st: The following are events sponsored by the Yonkers HIV Providers’ Task Force (with the support of The Sharing Community, St. John’s Riverside Hospital, and Greyston Foundation) at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Getty Square unless other wise noted:


9:30am – Proclamation Ceremony at The Guild Room


10am- 3pm – The Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt Display


12pm – 1:30pm – Interfaith Vigil of Remembrance and Hope featuring the Lincoln High School Choir and the Greyston Health Services Theater Group


1:45 – 2:15pm – Acknowledgement Ceremony of Local Providers in the Guild Room


 


For more information and to register for the “The Down Low and HIV: What is the Connection?” conference on December 3rd, contact the Westchester County Department of Health at (914) 813-5256 or  email omb1@westchestergov.com.


 

Posted in Uncategorized

Cappelli: I am not the Devil. No Quid Pro Quo on Samaritan Donation.

Hits: 0

WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. By John F. Bailey. November 29. 2004, Updated with New Photo: Louis Cappelli, The Super Developer, has had enough of being cast as a developer with motives and strings attached to his $1,000,000 gift to Samaritan House.


 


He announced to WPCNR Monday he is within a couple of weeks of  a contract signing with Grace Church where Mr. Cappelli would renovate the annex complex using his construction crews to include the Samaritan House section, the soup kitchen and serving area, completely refurbishing the Grace Church annex without the church spending a dime.


 



LOUIS CAPPELLI at the Common Council in August. Photo, WPCNR News Archive.


 



MR. CAPPELLI is standing by to renovate the interior of the Grace Episcopal Church annex, at right behind Grace Church on Church Street. City Center is at end of the street. Photo by WPCNR News


 


 


 


 


 


 


Louis Cappelli Explains It All.


 


Mr. Cappelli contacted WPCNR Monday evening to clear the air on his $1,000,000 Gift to Grace Church and Samaritan House for renovation services, announced one week ago.  The character of gift was first indicated to be cash by Grace Church Rector Janet Vincent, then described to WPCNR by Bruce Berg, President of  Cappelli Enterprises as a services only arrangement.


 


The Super Developer told WPCNR “I’m tired of being cast as the devil” and angrily said “ This an absolute 100% gesture of  good faith. The quid pro quo on this deal is ZERO!”


 


Cappelli in hurt, clipped, measured tones said, “I need nothing from them. I have the air rights over Grace Church , the building rights, that all came with the Halpern deal. There is nothing I need from them.”


 


Can You Help Us?


 


Cappelli told the story of how his Million Dollar Gift took shape:


 


 “I was approached during their Oasis of Hope Campaign a year and a half ago, and was asked could you help us? I  said as a neighbor would. I would donate $500,000 towards your Oasis of Hope campaign. I hired an architect (Bill Pfaff) to complete the (architectural) plan for them.”


 


The Super Developer said he paid Pfaff $75,000 for the plan.


 


Cappelli said Pfaff  met with the Grace Church team and based on their needs, Cappelli said  a set of plans was created for the new annex  that  called for:


 


“A. A complete renovation of the soup kitchen, and B., a complete upgrade and renovation of Samaritan House. “


 


Cappelli said the Samaritan House quarters, kitchen and building  was getting a full makeover with new bathrooms, new fixtures, new furnishings, a new heating and air conditioning system,  even new elevators. He said Pfaff’s plan modernized the soup kitchen, too.


 


Work Poised to Start.


 


Cappelli said no work has been started yet. He expected the contract to be signed for his firm to execute the work at the same time he begins to build the 221 Main complex adjacent to Grace Church. “The contract hasn’t been done. Just a few little things to tie up.”


 


After the plans were done, Cappelli said, “ I’m building the new building next door  and at 300 Mamaroneck (The Jefferson). How about I build this for you? I decided to pick up the tab.”


 


Saves Grace Church Hundreds of Thousands.


 


The Super Developer said that if he did not construct the annex makeover for the church that it would cost them well over the million dollars he estimates it will cost him in materials and construction (at considerably less cost), than if Grace Church used an independent contractor.


 


Mr. Cappelli reports Grace is in the process of hiring their own construction manager to oversee Mr. Cappelli’s work at this time.


 


The Super Developer reminded WPCNR of his cash gift to build the Renaissance Plaza Fountain, and his agreement to construct the Performing Arts Center as part of the City Center project.


 


‘I’m tired of being cast as the devil. I’m donating a building. I’m tired of seeing my name tossed up and being (expletive deleted) over.”

Posted in Uncategorized

D.S.S. Meeting with Grace to Resume Negotiations. Grace: No Plans to Close Sam H

Hits: 0

WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. By John F. Bailey. November 29, 2004: The Reverend Janet Vincent, Rector of Grace Church reported to WPCNR Monday afternoon that the Department of Social Services contacted Grace Friday and asked for a meeting with the Church Board of Directors to discuss the issue of Samaritan House finances. Vincent said today that the meeting could take place possibly this week. (“We don’t have a date yet, she said.)


Vincent also said the Church and the Grace Church subsidiary which manages Samaritan House has no intention of closing Samaritan House if their financial deficit of approximately $70,000 could be met. Vincent explained that Grace Church,  the landlord of Samaritan House (located on the third floor of the Grace Church annex) had sought to raise the Samaritan House rent (paid to Grace Church), as a means of making up a portion of the deficit the operation runs. She did not have exact figures in front of her.


Vincent told this reporter she called me because “there’s been confusion as to what has happened.”


Never told D.S.S. it was planning to close.


Vincent denied that Grace Church had told the D.S.S. it was planning to close Samaritan House, while in negotiations for a new contract.  “That is not true.” She said. “We’d happily keep it open  if we have a contract (with the Department of Social Services).”


She said Grace Church is not seeking a battle with the Department of Social Services.


Reverend Vincent  is quoted in the Monday Journal News as saying at a sermon Sunday morning at Grace Church that “On November 17, we were notified by Social Services that they would not give Samritan House a new contract. It was totally their decision.”


Mahon, on the other hand said in the same article that Samaritan House had and we quote from the article, decided to close Samaritan House while still in contract negotiations with his department


Conversations with Mr. C


Reverend Vincent also denied she had ever told the Journal News reporter that Louis Cappelli was giving $1,000,000 to the church. She explained “you know what happens, what you say comes out in bits and pieces.”


“We’ve been negotiating with Mr. Cappelli for 2-1/2 years about renovation plans for the church, and he always understood it would include renovating Samaritan House,” Vincent told WPCNR. Asked if the renovations planned would mean displacement of the residents of Samaritan House, Vincent said, it would be done perhaps incrementally so displacement of residents would be minimal. Asked if the kitchen renovation would require closing of the soup kitchen, Vincent happily reported the kitchen was already renovated, and that the hall where the hungry were fed needed to be renovated. She said it was possible the soup kitchen might have to be moved temporarily during work on that serving area.


Vincent disclosed that no contract had been signed with Mr. Cappelli or his organization for any of the renovation work as of yet.


Figures Figures Figures


Vincent said she could not comment on the figures disclosed by  in the Journal News article today which were at odds with the figures given by Joseph D’Ambrosio, Executive Director of the Grace Community Center  in the very same paper last week, because she was not close to them. Mr. D’Ambrosio has yet to speak with WPCNR on the financial pictures the Samaritan House and Open Arms Shelter face, though invited to do so last week.


Today, Mr. Mahon, Commissioner of the Department of Social Services, is reported as saying Grace Church, the Samaritan House landlord had asked for a $70,000 rent increase for the third floor Samaritan House staging area. The article notes that Mahon reports that Grace Church asked for a 37% increase of $221,538.24  above the $598,752 allocation Samaritan House receives, which appears larger than the 15% increase Mr. D’Ambrosio said Samaritan was seeking.


WPCNR asked the Westchester County Department of Communications to arrange for Mr. Mahon or Ms. Travers to speak with WPCNR on this matter last week, but to date neither Mr. Mahon nor Ms. Travers have contacted WPCNR.


A Rumor Starts Press Feeding Frenzy


Asked how the Department of Social Services got the impression Grace Church had decided to close Samaritan House, Vincent said it was a story that got started by a resident of Samaritan House who told it to a minister she believed was from Peekskill. Vincent said she was first approached on the story by a Channel 4 reporter who asked her about it. Then she spoke to The Journal News when Ms. Elan called. Asked how the Department of Social Services got the impression from Grace Church it was closing, Vincent said she did not know, but repeated Grace Church had never told the D.S.S. it was closing or that it had threatened to close.


 


Vincent recounted that the church had talked with the Department of Social Services last summer that they could not continue running the present deficits that they had run for the last three years, and needed a better contract to cover those deficits. She said the Church had not heard from the D.S.S. on the negotiations, since the summer. Vincent denied contacting the press about this situation.


WPCNR asked Reverend Vincent why Grace Church had told workers at Samaritan House they would be out of a job as of January 1, if negotiations were still going on. Vincent said the church had not actually fired the staff effective January 1 as reported in the Journal News November 23  when reporter Susan Elan wrote: “She (Robbin Clarke) was fired with the rest of the (Samaritan House) staff”). “We told them that if we didn’t have a new contract they could be out of a job, January 1,” Vincent explained.


 

Posted in Uncategorized