Department of Public Safety Ready to Add Officers in January

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WPCNR WHITE PLAINS POLICE GAZETTE. By John F. Bailey. October 27, 2003: Department of Public Safety Commissioner Dr. Frank Straub appeared at last night’s Special Meeting of the Common Council to request permission to add 5 new police officers beginning in January, bringing the department’s strength to 210 men and women.


The increase in budget to fund the new officers ( which received a vote of confidence from the council last year at this time, providing the city found a way to pay for it), will be 75% paid for by a Department of Justice grant of $750,000.



Commisioner of Public Safety, Dr. Frank Straub Explains His Plans Last Night. Photo by WPCNR News.


 He noted that 22% of the force was eligible to retire in 5 years, and that the vacancy rate would run about 8 officers a year for 3 years, enabling the Public Safety Department to bring on the new officer power with the natural ebb and flow of the retirees. He pointed out that the city would pay only 25% of hiring 5 additional new officers now, and the second compliment of  5 more new officers in January, 2006.


 


Straub said there were currently 14 vacancies in the police department, budgeted for, and he would add the 5 new officers to that, at a cost of $410,844 in 2004-05.


 


He stressed this would add “no incremental cost” to the Public Safety Budget. In Fiscal 2004-05, he said the cost of filling the 14 vacancies was $1,057,406. He added that the “incremental cost” of hiring the new officers in January was $176,419.


 


Straub allowed that the $750,000 grant was unrenewable after three years, leaving unsaid that the full cost of the 10 new officers, approximately $1.2 Million a year would have to be funded with another source beginning in 07-08.


 


In 2005 the department’s full force would be raised to 210, and by January, 2006, they would reach a full strength of 215.

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Council Hears the Pardes-Delfino Plan. Asked for Questions By Nov 10.

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WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE. By John F. Bailey. October 27, 2003: The Common Council was briefed by the Mayor Monday evening at a 45-minute Special Meeting on the land offer he had announced  last Thursday between himself and New York Presbyterian Hospital CEO, Dr. Herbert Pardes.




 


THE PARDES-DELFINO PLAN: The council learned that the city, in return for rezoning the northern tier of the New York Presbyterian Hospital property “commercial medical,” for 720,000 square feet of building (about 3 six-story buildings, or one 20-story building),  the city would receive 55 acres of land on a 99 year lease at no cost to the city, receiving the land involving the “Bloomingdale’s Pond,” the southwest and southeast  wooded slopes and meadows along Bryant Avenue. In return, the hospital would have the certain segments ofland on the “Northern Tier” of their campus rezoned “commercial medical. Shown discussing the sketchy details of the plan are, clockwise from right of map: Commissioner of Planning, Susan Habel, Council President, Benjamin Boykin, George Gretsas, Rita Malmud, Mayor Joseph Delfino, and Economic Development Officer, Paul Wood. Photo by WPCNR News.


 



THE PARDES-DELFINO PLAN: City-generated chart indicates the division of parkland from proposed “Commerical Medical” in the “Northern Tier” of the New York Presbyterian Hospital property. The “Bloomingdale Pond is in upper left. The Cassaway Brook valley bed is at lower left, and the meadows along Bryant Avenue are included in the 55-Acre “Park Package.” The “Central Tier” would remain designated “Hospital Use Only” Zoning. That Central Tier includes the Proton Acclerator/Biomedical Complex scheduled to begin construction within six months. That complex is shown in turquoise slightly above the “Southern/Western Tier: City park.” New “Commercial Medical” is envisioned for the northern and northeast portions of the property. Photo by WPCNR News. 





The Mayor said New York Presbyterian Hospital CEO Herbert Pardes has gotten his Board of Trustees to sign on informally to the agreement, because Pardes wanted the hospital to proceed with its mission of securing disease and the city to succeed it its mission of providing a park for the people.


 


Questions were raised by Councilwoman Rita Malmud and Councilman Robert Greer on what exactly was meant by the terms “commercial medical.”


 


Councilman Hockley brought up the issue of where parking would be provided for the 55 acres of city park and was told by Commissioner of Planning Susan Habel the city has thought about that and had some ideas how parking could be incorporated into the park.


 


Mutually Protective Guarantees Protect Hospital


 


The land-zoning swap would, the Mayor said, reading from notes on the agreement which were not released to the media last night, have “mutually protective” guarantees that would protect both the hospital and the city if future Common Councils chose to pass legislation that would rescind or alter the agreement.  In that event the city might have to rescind some or all of the parkland.


 


Commissioner Habel explained that no Common Council could make legislation binding on future Common Councils, and this was the reason this caveat was included in the agreement in principle.


 


The agreement provides that the hospital, if building on the northern tier proved to be more expensive than if they would have built the project on the “parkland” deeded to the city, that the city would be obligated to allow them to build more building, or compensate in some way (not involving cash payment) on the northern tier to compensate for that increased cost.


 


Exactly what this “compensation” would consist  has yet to be determined. Executive Officer George Gretsas said this would not obligate the city to pay for any increased costs incurred by the hospital in future buildings constructed on any “commercial medical” –zoned sections.


 


City to work with Hospital on Developing Building Designs to Fit 


 


Commissioner of Planning Habel said that the city has identified sites and building configurations which could be built within the northern tier of the property which the city would designate “commercial medical,” and would work with the hospital within these configurations to bring mutually satisfactual building designs on the western and northern tier sites.


 


(During the extensive review of the New York Presbyterian Hospital proton accelerator-biomedical research complex, approved in 2002, prototype “building footprints” were developed by the Planning Department to show what could be built on the slender strips of buildable Northern Tier property.)


 


What is “Commerical Medical” Anyway?


 


Mr. Greer indicated he thought research would be the extent of what commercial medical would mean. Habel said “No, it could be something as simple as doctor’s offices.”


 


Rita Malmud said that she had to have a specific definition of  “commercial medical” before she could consider the swap of land for commercial medical rezoning. Mayor Delfino reminded Ms. Malmud that the council had been apprised of this plan in August prior to the vote on the extension of the proton accelerator-biomedical complex special permit, apparently leaving it unsaid that “commercial medical” as part of the “land swap” should not be a surprise.


 


New Access Road to Come in From Most Likely the Northeast.


 


 Habel also said new entry access to any new development on the northern tier (Westchester Avenue) could be from North Street north or just South of the now defunct St. Agnes Hospital, but under no circumstances would any new access road be cut in from Bryant Avenue.


 


SHPO to Play a Role on Historical District Encroachment


 


Habel remarked that hospital property currently within the historical district on the hospital grounds, as well as the proton accelerator-biomedical research project would remain zoned for hospital use, with roughly the northern half of the property rezoned “commercial medical.”


 


 She did say that the city and the hospital foresaw having to work with the State’s Historical Preservation Office to  design buildings to fit appropriately within the historic district guidelines, tweaking the designs a little, expanding SHPO’s guidelines. Habel discribed this process as finding “Working with New York SHPO to find acceptable modifications to the historic district to make development feasible.”


 


Ms. Habel, with a wave of her hand, indicated the golf course area on the northeast portion of the property might be an area of development that could be considered, once it was rezoned commercial medical under the new “Pardes-Delfino Plan.” At that site the State Historical Preservation Office would have to be consulted to effect appropriate development.


 


Land to be turned over “as is.”


 


Asked about how the city would receive the land, the Mayor said the city would receive it “as is.”



 


THE BLOOMINGDALE POND & PUMP HOUSE: Part of the land to be included in the 55 acres the hospital is willing to lease to the city for parkland is the pond site north of Bloomingdale’s on Bloomingdale Road. This pond appears to be stagnant, overgrown with rushes and may be in need of considerable reclamation. Photo by WPCNR News.


 



PRISTINE, WELL-KEPT MEADOWS ON BRYANT AVENUE would be preserved for ballfields, but no plans are in works at this time, according to the city. First comes “acquisition,” then planning. Photo by WPCNR News.


 


Cost of Cleanup, Park Design, Construction Maintenance Not Known.


 


Asked if Environmental Officer Rod Johnson had any idea of what the pond might require, Habel said no, because he has not evaluated it. Asked what cost to the city might be involved, she said she could not answer further questions about the pond.


 


Executive Officer George Gretsas, afterwards said the first step to the process was the acquisition of the parkland, then would come the process of planning to shape the park. He said it could be done in a step-by-step approach, in stages, (presumably as funding for amenities of the park was found). Mayor Delfino remarked during the Special Meeting, said “This is a dream. If you approve it. I’ll get the money.”


 


Think It Over


 


Mayor Delfino asked the Common Council to let him know the questions they have about the agreement by November 10. Allan Teck, President of Concerned Citizens for Open Space, said he would be drawing up questions he had about the agreement, but voiced no outright concerns about it to WPCNR.


 


Gut Check for CCOS


 


Concerned Citizens for Open Space is currently considering the advisement of whether or not to file an appeal of Judge Richard Molea’s  decision to dismiss the group’s suit to stop construction of the proton accelerator, biomedical research facility that was approved in July of 2002. They have a decision to make as to whether to appeal that decision in light of this New York Presbyterian Hospital “Pardes-Delfino Plan.”


 


Banter in the Mayor’s Office


 


After emerging from Executive Session regarding a new direction in litigation the city was pursuing,  the nature of which Executive Officer George Gretsas refused to disclose, Council President Benjamin Boykin confirmed that the council had learned of this proposed “land for rezoning swap” in August in Executive Session and have known about it for at least a month before they voted for the extension of the Hospital’s Special Permit to build the proton accelerator complex. WPCNR reported this swap was being offered by the hospital to the city in August.


 


In other news nuggets from City Hall…George Gretsas said the first performance of the Renaissance Plaza Fountain is tentatively scheduled for Thursday morning at 11, emphasizing the word “tentatively.”


 

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Falcone Packs ‘Em at Graziella’s Ballroom to Bankroll Westco

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WPCNR STAGE DOOR. From Susan Katz, Westco Productions Publicity. October 27, 2003: Westco held its annual gala this past Saturday evening at Graziella’s Ballroom.  The “standing room only” event honored White Plains’ own “Jo Falcone!”  The fun-filled night had a festive Italian theme including music and dancing, and a wonderful silent auction with such gifts as tickets to Tosca at the Metropolitan Opera. 



YOU GIVE THEM THAT OLD SOFT SHOE: Jo Falcone, “The Performer.” at the Westco Gala Saturday evening. Photo by Westco Productions.


The major highlight of the evening was a tap-dance performance by the honoree herself!! Proceeds from the event will benefit Westco’s numerous outreach programs.  Westco has been Westchester’s resident professional theater company for young and family audiences for the past 24 years entertaining more than 500,000 audience members.  They perform at the Rochambeau Theater in White Plains, the Westchester Broadway Theatre in Elmsford and the Antrim Playhouse in Suffern.  For infor on their programs call 914-761-7463 or visit their website at www.westcoprods.com.




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Cantatore Calls for a Stop to County Capital Projects to Rein In Deficit

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WPCNR CAMPAIGN 03 TRAIL. From the Cantatore Press Office. October 27, 2003:

William Ryan’s Opponnent for the 5th District County Legislator seat representing White Plains and Scarsdale, Frank Cantatore,  called today for a halt on capital spending by the County next year.


 


“Given the very precarious state the county finances find themselves at the moment. With current capital projects such as the County Courthouse renovation and Hudson Hills golf course running at huge cost overruns. I am asking that the county defer capital spending programs that are not immediately necessary such as the renovation at the county’s laboratories. We must first look to address the out of control expenditures with current projects and focus on improving the financial situation,” said Cantatore.


 He added, “the last thing Westchester needs to do is spend money when we’re looking at two capital projects that combined will cost the taxpayers at this point $60 million and growing everyday. I’m very leery about adding another $80 million to an already out of control financial mess. A mess that my opponent as Vice Chairman contributed to by his gross negligence and his inability to grasp the finer points of a complex financial situation.”

 


The county recently announced that it wants to spend $80 million on capital projects ranging from rebuilding Tibbits Park in Yonkers, to $8.7 million to renovate the Office of Laboratories. Right now the county is looking to refinance up $186 million in county debt.  Capital projects are financed through borrowing and are paid off between 5 to 20 years.


 


“Right now it is time for us to take stock of what can be financed and what cannot. Surely we can defer such expenditures as the renovation of Tibbits Park to the following year. I am afraid that if we continue down this path we will only dig the county further into debt; who’s end result can only be higher taxes,” said Cantatore. 

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Adam In Albany: Indian Point Remains “Unsafe.”

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WPCNR’s ADAM IN ALBANY. By 89th District Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley. October 27, 2003: Westchester County is a beautiful place to live. Keeping its environment healthy will ensure that our future generations enjoy all this area has to offer. Since I took office in January, I have made it a mission to spearhead legislation that protects our environment.


 


Recently Environmental Advocates, a statewide nonpartisan environmental protection group, gave me a score of 93 percent for my work this year on environmental issues. “Bradley … moved quickly to stake his claim as a leading legislative environmental advocate,” Environmental Advocates said. “We especially appreciate the Assemblyman’s openness to dialogue on complicated legislation.” While I’m proud of the personal distinction, more important is the progress that was made to protect and improve the environment.


 


One of the pieces of legislation I authored would give municipalities a direct role in reviewing proposed private developments in other communities if they can establish that the development would have a substantial impact on the water or air quality in their locality (A.8672). This would ensure that communities have a say in protecting their environment when their environment is clearly placed at risk by decisions made across their border. 


 


Another piece of legislation would ensure legal standing for those individuals seeking to challenge development which may be harmful to the environment (A.8673).


 


The Legislature also made a major breakthrough on brownfields, which are contaminated sites that are costly to redevelop. I sponsored a law to help clean up those unused industrial sites and refinance the state’s Superfund program, which pays for the work (Ch. 1 of 2003). The bill was signed into law this fall and when sites are rehabilitated, the land can be put back on the tax rolls, helping strengthen local economies.


 


An environmental danger in our own backyard is the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant. I don’t have faith in the plant’s assurances that all of us living near it are safe. Serious questions still remain about Indian Point’s evacuation plan should an emergency occur there. It is an outrage that the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission signed off on it. I will continue to be an outspoken critic on this critically important matter.


 


Preservation of our environment is of utmost importance. While the Assembly accomplished a lot this year, more must be done. I will continue to fight for the future of Westchester County so that our children can continue enjoying a healthy, beautiful and natural environment.

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Mitchell Discusses Domestic Cost of Iraq War Wednesday at Manhattanville.

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WPCNR Community Calendar. October 26, 2003: “War Without End? Seeking Peaceful Solutions,” the second in a series of seminars presented by the Connie Hogarth Center for Social Action, will feature Charlene Mitchell discussing “The domestic Cost of the Iraqi War and Labor’s Fight Back at Reid Castle, Manhattanville College on Wednesday, October 29 at 7:30 P.M. in Purchase, N.Y.








 



 

Charlene Mitchell is National Cochair of Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism; Labor organizer for SSEU Local 371, AFSCME; National Cochair of the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, the organization that grew out of the campaign to free Angela Davis; Leader in the Black Radical Congress.

She has been on the frontlines against racism and injustice for over 50 years.
 
 This seminar is open to the public and is free. For students, one credit   option is available for attending at least 5 of the 7 seminars.

 For information about the seminars, call the Center  (914)323-7156

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Tigers Come Back Big, Trap Wolves, 7-6 with Smalls, Spencer, Siaba

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. By John F. Bailey. October 25, 2003 UPDATED WITH ACTION FOTS October 26, 12:00 A.M.: Ryan Smalls executed two clutch runs on 1st Down and a do or die 3rd and 11 reception and run for a first down for the Tigers in the third quarter today, after personally recovering a fumble to set up Spencer Ridenhour for the tying touchdown at Parker bowl. Pablo Siaba drilled the uprights in the golden autumn shadows for the Point After Touchdown to give the Tigers a 7-6 victory over Gorton in a quarterfinal Sectional Bowl game. White Plains will play the winner of North Rockland-Ramapo next Saturday afternoon at the football shrine in the Highlands.



JUST LIKE JIM BROWN: Ryan Smalls (32) closing in on the Gorton 17 yard line after rumbling 20 yards for a first down around the end, after a great block by Evan McGuire. The play put the trailing Tigers in business inside the Gorton 20 for the first time all afternoon. Photo by WPCNR Sports.


The Tigers in their toughest game since their opener, stopped Gorton on a goal line stand in the first half and stalled two Gorton drives in the 4th quarter. Ridenhour contained brilliantly by Gorton all the long autumn afternoon, ran for two first downs on 3rd and 7 situations with 4 minutes and 2 minutes to go deep in White Plains territory to run out the clock. Evan McGuire, John Corretti, Smalls, Jason Indelicato, Gary Morello, all played outstanding defense for the Tigers to keep Gorton at bay and give the Tigers a chance to come back. The Tigers won their 11th straight football game, and improved their record to 8-0.


No team contained the Tigers as well this season as Gorton did Saturday, other than New Rochelle. The Wolves ran 36 plays to White Plains’ 15 plays in the first half, moving the ball and enjoying advantageous field positions thanks to fast-moving receivers and fleet running backs able to get outside on the Tiger cornerbacks. 


 


White Plains had big time trouble stopping the over the middle pass for 8 to 10-yardage throughout the game. Coach Anthony Sardo of Gorton has to be commended on the most imaginative offense the Tigers have seen this season.


 


Conversely, the Tigers defense  made two goal line stands in the first half, bent but did not break until the last play of the first half.


 


In the first quarter, the Tigers knew it was going to be a rugged afternoon, when after the Tigers stopped Gorton on their first series (thanks to a holding penalty on the Wolves), the Tigers themselves were stopped on three and out on three running plays.  Jason Indelicato punted 36 yards to the Gorton 24, and again went three-and-out. So far, so good.  Then things went bad.


 


Strip Puts Orange and Black in Hole. Tigers Make a Stand.


 


After the Gorts punted, on White Plains’ first play from their own 39, The Wolves stripped Spencer Ridenhour of the ball and recovered on the Tiger 43.


 


On second down, Gorton got a fine run around left end, with Michael Lane saving a touchdown by corralling him at the 26. Ryan Smalls and Evan McGuire sacked Gorton’s QB Billy Gomes back at the 32, and on  4th and 7, a quick pass over the middle Gomes to fullback Denzil Foster carried for a first down on the Tiger 11.  Two runs by Foster moved the ball to the 4. On third down Ryan Smalls sacked QB Gomes going back to pass, a huge play. On 4th down, Gomes pass fell incomplete harmlessly in the flat. The Tigers had made a huge stand as the First Quarter ended, 0-0, dealing with a first and 10 at their own 6. They were able to make their out to the 12 as the second quarter began, but now Jason Indelicato had to punt into the 10-knot crosswind from the southwest end of the bowl.


 


Second Quarter Same as the First.


 


Jason was only able to muster a 25 yard punt and the Wolves took over at the Tiger 37, another test for the White Plains “D.”


 


Gorton got a first down on two dive plays at the 25 and a 4th and running play was turned aside at the 17. A second scoring opportunity was snuffed, and again the Tigers could not move the ball out, and Jason Indelicato punting into the wind again shanked it off the side of his foot for a 17 yard punt from scrimmage, allowing Gorton to take over again at the White Plains 40.


 


Gorton was in business again. A holding penalty set them back to the 44, and they were again forced to punt.  Gorton’s punter failed to find coffin corner and White Plains had the ball at the 20 with about 4 minutes left in the half. On second and 6 at the 20, Mike Devere fumbled on the exchange and a Wolf pounced on the football, giving Gorton their third scoring opportunity of the first half.


 


 


On 3rd and 7 from the 20, Gomes hit one of his receivers over the middle for a first down on the Tiger 11. Three running plays failed to get the ball in, then on 4th down and goal on the 5 with 23 seconds remaining in the half, Gomes from the deep pocket, rolled slightly to his left, freezing the pass defense in the end zone, then threw across to his left to Denzil Foster tip toeing along the goal line to the endzone pontoon. Foster made a great reception turning to his left and around to catch the ball waist high then taking a long flat angle to the goal line at the left end zone pontoon.


 


As a Tiger came up to make the tackle to keep Foster out of the end zone, Foster cleverly thrust the hog  over the goal line for a TD, right in front of the White Plains High School Marching Band which did not make a play on him.


 


It was 6-0 Wolves with seconds to go in the half. The Point After Touchdown was wide left.



 


AT HALFTIME, THE WHITE PLAINS MARCHING BAND CHEERED UP THE PALMER STADIUM GLOOM: Gorton had to be pumped. They had taken away the vaunted White Plains running game, bottled them up in their own territory. But, significantly, the Tiger Defense had stopped the Wolves on 2 of 3 scoring opportunities, retaining their poise. White Plains did not make a first down in the First Half, having possession of the ball just  5 times. Photo by WPCNR Sports.


 


A False Start.


 


The Tigers took the kickoff in the second half, and Gorton’s big massed line continued to hang tough. After Mike Lane returned the KO 23 yards to the Orange and Black 29, Mike Lane ran for the first WP First down of the afternoon on the 40. The 400 fans in the Parke bowl were coming alive. But a motion penalty stalled the drive (one of the Tigers’ few penalties for this all season).


 


Two Devere darts to Paul Scotman were incomplete although a Gorton defender was on Scotman’s back as he went up for the ball on the second pass at the 50. A pass to Evan McGuire just missed and once again Jason Indelicato was called on to punt. A penalty pushed the punt back to the 25 yard line.


 


This time a low snap forced Indelicato to punt poorly again and Gorton had a first and 10 on the 50 yard line. The Grandstand Offensive Coordinators were grim. There were 9 minutes and 30 seconds to go, and Gorton had the Tigers where they wanted them: good field position and they had been moving the ball well.


 


The Hit and the Break.


 


On first down from midfield, the Gorton (moving South to North) call goes to Curtis Norman who takes the handoff and moves to the near sideline right at the Tiger bench, is about to turn the corner and Evan McGuire surging from left defensive end, (unblocked), hits Norman solidly in the small of his back with a sharp “CRUNCH” of pads on pads that is heard all the way up to the Press Box and the football pops loose! It is LOOSE!


 


It comes right to Ryan Smalls who says“Come to me, baby” seizes it clean, hugs it, cradles, loves it in the fetal position. It is a huge break.


 


The Drive.


 


Rocked by the turn of fortune, Gorton is disheartened. Emboldened, the Tiger line reaches back for that little something extra and springs Spencer Ridenhour for 7 yards off tackle to the 43.


 


It is Ridenhour again for 1. Then Ridenhour again off-tackle seeing daylight for the first time all day, he gets a first down on the Wolves’ 37.


 



 


BIG PLAY MAN: Ryan Smalls, the 3 of his “32” obscured by the linesman, runs over the last Wolf between him and a first down at the 17. Photo by WPCNR Sports


 


First and 10 on the 37, the call for Ryan Smalls, crosses Gorton up they are expected another up-the-middle job, and as Number 32 turns into the flat, Evan McGuire throws a huge clean block and Smalls, who seems to get bigger as he runs, is off on a diagonal dash running over  a tackler to the Gorton 17. White Plains had only achieved its third first down of the day.


 


Gorton  calls a timeout. They regroup. This was to cost them late in the 4th quarter.


 


The Grab.


 


A run by Spencer gains 3. Then a handoff to Ryan Smalls is stopped in the backfield for a 5 yard loss. It is 3rd and 12 from the 19.


 


Devere who had not completed a pass all afternoon, dropped back rolled slightly right and zinged a missile to Ryan Smalls at the 10 in the flat. He turned, took it waist high and rumbled ominously for the first down stick.  He was actually caught at the 7 but dragged two Wolves with him to the 6 for a clutch first down.



 


THE EQUALIZER: It is First and goal from  the 6, and the handoff goes to Ridenhour, off-tackle the line scatters the Wolves like a litter and Ridenhour, untouched runs to the sunset, high steps in joy into paydirt for his 52nd touchdown of his White Plains career. It is 6-6. Arms are thrown skyward in the stands. Michael Della Posta (51) and Gabriel Robles(72) exult after having opened up a Holland Tunnell in the Wolf line. Photo by WPCNR Sports


 



 


THE NEW TOE DOES IT AGAIN:  Next comes Pablo Siaba for the crucial Point After Touchdown. The stands grow silent. The snap comes back, and Pablo “Gogolaks” it slightly left of center but it is GOOD. It is GOOD. White Plains leads 7-6 with  5:28 to go in the Third Quarter. He is shown picking up the kicking tee. The ball has gone through the uprights landing slightly ahead of the second School Bus in from the right. Photo by WPCNR Sports


 


White Plains had cashed in a huge break for a touchdown, going 50 yards in 9 plays, gaining only their 2nd, 3rd, and 4th first downs of the game.


 


Gorton Is Stopped 5 Times in the Last 18 Minutes


 


It was now up to the defense. They were their 5 times with what it takes.


 


Gorton got to the Tiger 46 and were stopped on a sack for the first stop. White Plains could only move the ball to the 35 and were forced to punt.


 


Gorton got the ball at their own 45, and two plays later the third quarter ended, 7-6, White Plains.


 


On third and 18 on the Wolf 48, Gomes eluded a Tiger sacker and dashed cross field to the Tiger 41, only to have the drive stalled by another crucial holding penalty on first down. Evan McGuire stopped  a 3rd down play, and Gorton was forced to punt driving White Plains back to their 22 yard line with the kick.


 


52 yard Punt


 


Two runs and a pass failed and, standing on his own 10, Jason Indelicato had a big punt to make.


 


He lofted it and the Gorton single deep back at his own 40, misplayed it, letting it get behind him and it rolled and rolled to the Wolf  23 yard line, it was a 52 yarder from scrimmage, 62 yards from the point where toe met ball.


 


Gorton was not done. On 3rd and 6 from the Gorton 42, another pesky 14 yard strike over the middle gave the Wolves a last shot at the White Plains 45 with 6:13 to go in the game.


 


The Prosecutor to the Rescue


 


Ryan Smalls and Jason Indelicato stopped the first plunge by fullback Foster. Then on 2nd and 11, Ryan Smalls and Michael Della Posta lined up Gomes in their sites, Smalls “The Prosecutor” grabbing him first, and Della Posta finishing him off for a sack at the Gorton 48, a 9-yard loss.


 


It was 3rd and 18. Gomes was looking over the middle, felt John Corretti coming on in from his left. Gomes hurried the pass and it fell incomplete. Gorton was again forced to punt.


 


Ridenhour Delivers Two Clutch 3rd down conversions.


 


 


White Plains put itself in a hole with a clip on the return, and took it over on their 10 with 4:19 to go in the game.  Smalls took it for a yard to the 11. Ridenhour ran for 3 to the 14. This was a very fragile point in the game. A fumble, a botched handoff, a poor punt could put Gorton back in the game fast.


 



 


PLOWING FOR A FIRST DOWN: On third and 7 on the 13, the Tiger line pulled together, opened it up for Ridenhour and he extended himself to the 21 for a first down by inches, taking a pack of Wolves on his back. It is the second time Ridenhour has shown he has what it takes in crucial 3rd down conversions this season. Now there were 2 minutes and 30 seconds to go in the game. Photo by WPCNR Sports



Mr. Big Time: Spencer Ridenhour, arm held high, being congratulated by Evan McGuire (13) and Mike Della Posta who cleared the hole for Spencer to secure the crucial 3rd and 7 conversion at the White Plains 31. It clinched the game with about a minute to go. Photo by WPCNR Sports.


 


The call went to Ridenhour on first down, and he got 2 yards to the 22. Ryan Smalls got 1 yard to the 22. On third and 7, the give went to Ridenhour. The same off tackle play with superb clearout by the Tiger line springing Spencer whose fast dash got another big time first down on the 31. The measurement was good by a foot.


 


Devere took a knee three times and Gorton had run out of time.


 


 


One for the Gipper:


 


It was the kind of win to remember. White Plains made big plays when they had to and came back against a team that had handled them most of the game.


 


There were a lot of heroes, and a lot of bright stars to look to the future to. Shawn Jimison at end, got open deftly on two passes, made a key stop to save a touchdown and he will catch those next year. Mike Lane, fearless on punt returns, and relentless on pursuit is another. Paul Scotman has shown a talent for getting open on those routes, too.


 


Meanwhile the Tigers are going to be working on North Rockland next Saturday afternoon at Parker Stadium in the Sectional  Semi-Final. Both teams are undefeated. Come on out. It should a good one.


 

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WPPAC Rugrats to Appear on November 8 to Greet Kids. Family Plan Introduced.

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WPCNR STAGE DOOR. From Oscar Smalls, White Plains Performing Arts Center. October 24, 2003:  Characters from Nickelodeon’s popular television show “The Rugrats” will make an appearance before and after the matinee performance of The Flying Karamazov Brothers on Saturday, November 8th. Chuckie and Tommy will mingle with the audience in the lobby prior to and immediately after the 3pm performance. Special Family Plan pricing is now available.


The Flying Karamazov Brothers play the White Plains Performing Arts Center as part of the opening weekend celebration on Saturday, November 8 at 3pm & 7pm. Tommy & Chuckie from Niceklodeon’s “The Rugrats” will be in the lobby prior to and immediately after the 3pm performance. Tickets: $35 for Adults, $20 for children under 12, and The Family Plan – 4 tickets for only $80! To order, call the Box Office at 888-977-2250.


The popular Nickelodeon show has been a must see on the cable channel for years and has branched out into movie theatres with three very successful feature length films.


 


The Flying Karamazov Brothers, master jugglers and comedians, present the hilarious and exciting, Catch!, which includes their traditional juggling of everyday items such as sickles, hatchets, meat cleavers and torches. For fans of the bizarre and unexpected, there is that perennial favorite, The Gamble, where the audience brings whatever objects of whimsy, or of danger, that they think will prove unjugglable, betting a standing ovation against a pie in the face that it can’t be done. Along with uproarious jokes, they play tribute to taiko festival drumming, Polish Appalachian Clog Dancing and perfectly wrap up an utterly unique evening of theatrical insanity with their juggling trademark, Nine Objects of Danger.  


 


 


 


“The Rugrats’” Tommy & Chuckie were provided courtesy of Nickelodeon and City Center 15: Cinema de Lux.


 

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Missing White Plains Girl Found in Boulder, Colorado.

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WPCNR WHITE PLAINS POLICE GAZETTE. By John F. Bailey. October 24, 2003: Danielle McGuinn, a resident of White Plains, missing since October 1, when her car was found abandoned on the New Jersey Turnpike, was located early Friday morning by the Boulder Colorado Police investigating  a  group of youths for a noise complaint, it was announced today by the White Plains Department of Public Safety.



Danielle McGuinn Is Safe and Sound. Photo by White Plains Department of Public Safety.


In a press conference this morning, Commissioner of Public Safety Dr. Frank Straub said Ms. McGuinn was found in good physical health, had spoken with her mother, who was expected to travel to Boulder to reunite with her daughter. Dr. Straub would not comment on how Ms. McGuinn made her way to Colorado, after having abandoned her vehicle, but said White Plains detectives had interviewed Ms. McGuinn, and said there was no evidence of foul play involved.


 



Dr. Frank Straub Commissioner of Public Safety delivers the good news. Captain Ann Fitzsimmons is at right, Mayor Joseph Delfino, left. Photo by WPCNR News.


Straub said McGuinn was identified when Boulder, (Colorado), Police Officers Richert and Burke in dealing with young persons causing a distrubance, asked for their identification. The missing woman gave her name as Danielle McGuinn, and the officers ran a National Crime Information Center check  (The NCIC is a national criminal justice network that contains records on stolen property, license plates, guns, securities, boats and serialized articles; persons for whom arrest warrants are outstanding, unidentified persons and missing persons meeting certain criteria, and criminal histories of persons arrested for serious offenses.)


The Commissioner said Ms. McGuinn was taken to Boulder Community Hospital for a routine check, and White Plains Police notified Mrs. Lynn McGuinn at 5 A.M. to tell her that her daughter was safe and well. Straub reported the mother had spoken to her daughter and was making arrangements to meet up with her daughter in Boulder.


Straub commended Captain Ann Fitzsimmons for leading the White Plains Police effort to find Ms. McGuinn, which he said consisted of interviewing 50 of her friends. Detectives in charge of the search and investigation for the White Plains Police Department were Detectives Todd Moskallik and Detective Richard Lee. They also interviewed professors and students at Iona College, family members, hospitals, shelters and used computer technology including cell phone information and e-mail use to find her whereabouts. This fact-finding effort led White Plains Police to believe she was in Colorado based on two e-mails they discovered that were sent by Ms. McGuinn since October 1.


She sent an e-mail to wish a friend happy birthday on October 17, from the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, the first indication that she was alive. Then police were made aware of another e-mail sent from Carbondale, Colorado, by Ms. McGuinn to another friend. The White Plains Police began working with Glenwood Springs and Carbondale police at that time. Colorado authorities as a result of the White Plains Police effort were made aware that Danielle could be in their state. This effort paid off with the discovery of Ms. McGuinn Friday morning.


In response to reporters’ questions, Dr. Straub gave no reason for Danielle’s apparent flight, or how she traveled from the New Jersey Turnpike where her car was found to the Colorado area. Asked if her emotional state at the time of disappearance was a factor, Straub said, “We have talked to her. There are no details now. There was a lot of emotion.”


He allowed there may have been “a myriad of reasons” for her disappearance, saying police would be talking to her in more detail. He did say “she went out (to Colorado) on her own. We’re not 100% sure what her motivation was. She had been out to Colorado before. We believe she had a couple of friends out there, staying in 2 or 3 different places. We have some ideas how she got out there.”


The WABC-TV correspondent questioned if the 24 hour, 7 day a week effort to find Ms. McGuinn was taking the police effort off other matters, and whether the police were investing too much effort and if the police resented the young woman’s apparent running away.


 Straub appeared dumbfounded by the question for a moment, then responded,


“This is what Police work is about. A distraught mother called us and asked us to help find her daughter. Our job is to help members of the community.”


 


 


 


 

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NYPH Head Pardes on Park Deal: We’ve Overcome an Enormous Hurdle.

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WPCNR City Hall Dispatch-Reporter. By John F. Bailey. October 23, 2003: Dr. Herbert Pardes in a telephone interview from his office in Manhattan with WPCNR, was very enthusiastic about the agreement announced today by Mayor Joseph Delfino at City Hall in White Plains. Pardes said the exchange of 55 acres of hospital-owned land for rezoning of the Westchester Avenue side of NYPH Property as commercial medical was an “understanding in principle” that had yet to be formally approved by the New York Presbyterian Hospital board.

 





He told WPCNR: “First of all I want to say I’ve enjoyed working very much with the Mayor. I think it augers well for us to do good things for White Plains and also for New York Presbyterian. We have an understanding in principle. Obviously these things have to be run by their respective boards and councils. We also have to make sure that our sites can be done in a reasonable manner, a reasonable cost, and legal and regulatory. There are all kinds of caveats.  This is an enormous hurdle we have overcome. I think we’re very optimistic about the fact that we can get the details laid out over whatever period of time so that the beneficiaries of both sides will be very pleased.”


 


Asked if the hospital had any plans on how they expected to develop the North side of the property, designated for commercial medical, Pardes said, “Not yet, it’s a little too early for that. There’s nothing I can say about that, because nothing’s set right now.”


 


Commercial Medical Aims at Partnering for new devices, medicines


 


WPCNR asked Dr. Pardes what the hospital considered “commercial medical” use, and he commented:


 


”We’re interested in medical research. We’re interested in biotechnology. We’re interested in health care. We’re interested in health care and medical things we believe can give better medical care to people.


         I’m very excited about what’s happening in health care medicine for patients, and we’re working on various things that we think can make it even better for patients. A lot of it has to do with better treatments and research that might lead to better devices. Things like that.”


 


Pardis said the Delfino-Pardes talks had taken place over the last 6 to 9 months. He said his staff had met with the city staff a number of times, and he had met with the Mayor a half-dozen times.


 


Hospital Statement on the Agreement:


 


Shortly after Mayor Joseph Delfino’s announcement, New York Presbyterian Hospital issued this statement, confirming the details of the Mayor’s statements:


 


We have had productive discussions with the Mayor and are pleased to have reached an agreement in principle on a new Master Plan in which the hospital will lease 55 acres of park land to the City of White Plains and the Hospital will be granted new, expanded development rights on portions of its Westchester Campus.


 


A final agreement, which must be approved by the Hospital’s Board of Trustees, must assure that the sites within the rezoned area are fully capable of being developed at reasonable cost.  It will also depend on the successful outcome of regulatory and legislative processes, including legally enforceable assurances against future adverse zoning changes.


 


We expect to establish a long term agreement that reflects the continued strength of our relationship with the City of White Plains.


 


 

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