WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER 3,374,995 VISITS IN ONE YEAR—65,000 VISITS A WEEK BY 985,281 VISITORS

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WPCNR Campaign 2003 Chronicles. By John F. Bailey. October 20, 2003: Dan Hickey, Republican candidate for Common Council laid out the reasons he is running for Council to WPCNR in an interview in his home last week. Mr. Hickey revealed a lot about what’s different in his campaign. He takes stands, goes out on a limb and says what he’d do, something he’s been doing for White Plains for 38 years as a patrolman, commander, and finally Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety before his retirement last year.

Dan Hickey Takes on City Hall. Photo by WPCNR News

Cornerstones of his grassroots campaign are: Redevelopment of Mamaroneck Avenue, Fiscal Irresponsibility by the Council, and the council’s ignoring the city infrastructure preparedness for development.

 

Hickey denied the charge he is just running for revenge against the present Administration for not getting the Commissioner of Public Safety job. Hickey dismisses that, saying he was planning on retiring anyway within a year at the time, and therefore this did not bother him. He said people had talked to him about running for the council, but he rejected it.

 

His wife, though, encouraged him to run. He thought very hard about it, and realized that given the problems he saw the city facing over the next two years, he had the knowledge to help.

 

Hickey Knows City Hall

 

 

He told me that  no one running for council knew as much about the inner workings of the city and the problems they were creating and are about to face as he does. He feels compelled to run as an independent voice who can ask the hard questions from a basis of experience in the city government.  

 

He says he is taking no money from the Republican Party because in return, he would have to pledge loyalty to Mayor Joseph Delfino. Frank Cantatore denied this to WPCNR last week.

 

 

Cappelli Projects will Not Solve the Mamaroneck Avenue Problem. “Village Within a City” Will.

 

Hickey tackled the Mamaroneck Avenue situation as a flaw in the Renaissance revival the city is envisioning:

 

“The Galleria took business off Mamaroneck Avenue twenty years ago, and it has taken twenty years to bring business back,” he explained. “No one’s coming up with anything to revive Mamaroneck Avenue. Every administration is putting the cart before the horse. People live downtown already on Martine Avenue, East Post Road, North Broadway. You already have the people there. There is nothing on the Avenue to draw them.

The caberets draw people from out of town. Very few of the patrons are local people. We need something to get people shopping at our stores (on Mamaroneck again).”

 

What will draw the locals back downtown?

 

Hickey suggests how: he would create “The Village Within a City” to give Mamaroneck Avenue its own identity.  

 

He takes the idea from created “villages” that string stores together along created plazas such as Clinton Crossing and Woodbury Commons that have become “destinations” in Connecticut and Rockland Counties. His plan would repackage Mamaroneck Avenue with wrought-iron arches over the  Avenue  at Maple Avenue and Mamaroneck and Main Street and Mamaroneck, compatible with the new cityscape design.

 

Arches would proclaim Mamaroneck  Avenue “The Village of White Plains”

 

“The best thing about this approach,” Hickey said enthusiastically, “is you don’t have to build anything, we already have the buildings.” He suggests attracting individual specialty stores such as Pier I (furniture), Country Curtains, The Wine Enthusiast, or gourmet stores, such as a cheese or coffee specialist, antique and collectors’ outlets to compliment the specialty stores now on the Avenue, that include, in this reporter’s opinion, The Gourmandise, Carroll-Condit Gallery, and Thompson’s Art Store.

 

He sees these kind of niche merchants offering a different selection of goods than found in the giant discount stores at the City Center, the Galleria, and The Westchester. He feels this can be done by the city offering incentives to landlords along Mamaroneck Avenue in a cooperative effort to lure both maverick, mainstream and upscale destinations with personality and uniqueness to create a shopping attraction different than the malls.

 

“They (the specialty stores) won’t come unless you ask them,” Hickey notes. “The landlords have to play a part in this, offer incentives to open a store, and the city should give investment credits, also.”

 

Encourage Free Parking on Weekends.

 

“It’s not going to connect with one just one store,” Hickey said. He feels you need to make it easier to shop the Avenue. One way to do that he says is to have free parking on weekends, or charge $1 for all day parking.

 

“Another thing you could do is close off  Mamaroneck Avenue weekends, creating a walking mall each weekend,” Hickey suggested.

 

Traffic Not Being Planned Well. Calls for Independent Studies with Teeth.

 

Mr. Hickey was just warming up over coffee, as he eased into another major issue: traffic.

 

“Even though parking revenue will go away, redirecting of parking has to be done,” Hickey said, based on his long experience with traffic patterns with the police department, says changing traffic patterns is inevitable.

 

 

“You have to take parking off Mamaroneck Avenue and Main Street and create more one-way streets,” Hickey said. “It’s a political decision to do that, and it will probably be postponed until the Mayor runs again. We have to do independent studies of traffic patterns, and not accept developer predictions. It has been my experience that people will find their own way around White Plains, (going against the predictions of the experts).”

 

New Revenues have to be all New Dollars. He Says.

 

Hickey said “I’m not against smart development, I’m against desperate development. Desperate Development is building before we have a plan. Two towers have grown into four towers. They (the council) all want to have their legacy. But, no one will take the blame if something goes wrong.”

 

Hickey is troubled that the $50 Million revenues predicted for the City Center are being heavily counted on to keep the city solvent over the coming years. White Plains only collects 2% of that which works out to only $1 million more a year. He says that the $50 Million handle also has to be totally new dollars, and does not take into effect how much revenue the City Center stores will draw from other malls and retailers in town. He notes that there is no sales tax on theatre tickets, but notes the city will get sales tax on concessions.

 

City has run out of  margin, Hickey says.

 

Mr. Hickey is fiscally conservative. He blames the council for allowing gimmick financing to feed development that has raided the city’s financial reserves to handle fiscal setbacks.

 

Hickey criticizes the city for borrowing the $23 Million for the new parking garage. He sees a property tax increase: “Unless they start watching, property taxes are going up.”

 

City Must Cut from Within.

 

Hickey said his long experience in the police department taught him the necessity of managing departments efficiently.  He points out the police department is 40% of the city budget. He said he and Commissioner John Dolce worked very hard to keep budgets within line: “Each manager was responsible to cut costs without cutting services. You created a synergy between departments.”

 

He pointed out that when he left the Department of Public Safety was at $33 Million for 2001-02  and the 2003-04  Public Safety Budget is now at $40.8 Million. Hickey said this was not a criticism of the new management of the department, noting the changes to the department to be prepared for terrorism and the growing city.

 

He blamed the badge drain, now officially declared ended, on the department being the lowest paid in the county at the time. He said he corrected this by working out a workweek restructuring that gave White Plains police more vacation time, by varying their workweek, equalizing their pay structure with the rest of the county.

 

He did say though that all city departments had to view budgets with a watchful eye: “The first thing a bad manager does is say I need more money and more manpower. A manager’s job is to give the best service for the least amount of money.  I’m not going to rubber stamp every budget that’s put it, if I’m on the Council.”

 

Hickey Studies Efficiencies for a Living.

 

Hickey is uniquely qualified to eyeball budgets, of all the candidates with the exception of Robert Greer, who has been on the city budget committee for over ten years, Hickey analyzes budget management on a free lance basis for the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, specializing in management studies.

 

“The city has to start combining departments, such as bringing the Planning Department and Building Department together, combining Traffic and Public Works. You would have to look at the departments. A city should be run like a company,” he stressed.

 

He said he fully expected a property tax increase for next year, and said that if there is not one, it would be because Mayor Delfino is up for election in 2005, with higher fees charged for city services.

 

“Like a Kid in a Candy Store”

 

Hickey criticized the city’s drawing down of the city’s fund balance to pay for union settlements, and the calling in rainy day funds such as a parking authority debt and community development funds to aid in the construction and operation of the Renaissance Plaza and the city’s new community theatre, and to pay for the city’s street facelift.

 

He says this is a seductive practice,   that has left the city with out financial backup. “They depleted them all. They’re like a kid in a candy store.”

 

 

Other Concerns.

 

Mr. Hickey touched on a number of issues, pointing out that he felt the city has made a mistake in not fighting the St. Agnes Hospital closing. His reasoning was  that St.Agnes had always been the emergency backup for White Plains Hospital Medical Center, Port Chester and New Rochelle when they are overcrowded. “Now you do not have that option,” Hickey said.

 

On illegal and unsafe housing, a hot button of late, Hickey said that these cases are very hard to prove against landlords, saying that in many cases he was involved in, he had solid evidence based on bills and records that the landlords were guilty, but the judges were very reluctant to convict. “Courts just don’t want to do it. They delay for years. It is not as easy, as it is being made to sound (to get tough with landlords),” Hickey said.

 

Hickey concluded with a definitive statement about what voters could expect from him on the council, “I don’t like what’s going on. Taxes are going up. They’re just giving the city away. Just give me a try.”

 

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. By John F. Bailey. October 18, 2003 UPDATED October 20, 2003, EXCLUSIVE NEW PHOTOS ADDED October 20, 2003 6:15 P.M.: White Plains won its tenth straight football game over two seasons, and completed their first undefeated regular season at 7-0 since 1993 with a 40-13 victory over the Indians of Roosevelt today. Spencer Ridenhour was unstoppable, scoring five touchdowns, (giving him 51 touchdowns in his White Plains career),including a 40 yard run from scrimmage in the first quarter that answered a Roosevelt touchdown. White Plains lead 26-13 at the half, despite a frisky, quick-strike passing Roosevelt team. White Plains begins the Sectional Playoffs next Saturday afternoon against Gorton at Parker Stadium. Defensive adjustments in the second half cut down the Indians’ passing game. Garry Morello scored the other Tiger TD late in the fourth quarter.

HE’S GOING. HE’S GOING. HE’S GONE: “33” Spencer Ridenhour cruising at the 10 yard line on his 40 yard touchdown run in the first quarter Saturday afternoon, to make the score 13-6, White Plains. Spencer had a career day, as White Plains ran at will on the Roosevelt defense. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

 

Roosevelt was wary of White Plains ball control strategy that the Tigers have used all season when they win the toss, (kicking off with the notion of trapping their rivals deep with their great defense). The Indians elected to kickoff to the Tigers. This did not present a problem.

 

White Plains moving South to North marched 65 yards in 10 plays from their own 35. On third and 6 from their 39, Spencer Ridenhour got the call, the Indians’ line was mowed down and Ridenhour ripped up the middle to a first down on the Roosevelt 43. On the Tiger second play from the 42, Ridenhour rambled around left end to the Indian 29. It was Ridenhour up the middle to the 15, then to the 12. It was Ridenhour left, Ridenhour right, he was unstoppable.

 

For a change of pace, Quarterback Mike Devere handed off to Ryan Smalls who following precision pulling guards rolled around right end on a sweep to the Indians 3. After an incomplete pass Devere gave it to Captain Ridenhour UP THE MIDDLE THROUGH THE GUT for the touchdown. Pablo Siaba drilled the PAT and White Plains lead, 7-0 with 8:22 remaining in the first quarter.

 

Misdirection and Precision Passing Surprise.

 

Roosevelt was almost stalled on their first series but a pass interference penalty kept them alive on their own 26. Roosevelt’s quarterback connected on a 45-yard pass and run play setting up for a first down on the White Plains 23. It was the longest pass completion on the Tigers this season. Roosevelt then passed over the middle to the Tiger 22. On the next play a holding penalty called back a touchdown.

 

 But, in a most disturbing sequence, Roosevelt proceeded to throw two more touchdown passes in the next 9 plays, having another called back again on a hold. On 4^th and 17 at the White Plains 30, John Smith caught another precision pass at the Tiger 5 to set up a first and goal, finally scoring on a another drill pass over the middle in the back of the endzone. It was 7-6, and stayed that way as the 2-point conversion failed.

 

Section 1 playoff rivals will take notice of the way fast receivers were weaving and finding seams in the Tiger secondary on this drive. But, when the Tigers switched to zone coverage later in the half, this shut down the passing lanes.

 

The Captain takes over.

 

White Plains took over at their 28 after the kickoff. Ryan Smalls, “The Prosecutor” restored order in the courtroom by slipping, sliding, and sleight of hand, reeling around left end to the sideline, eluding several tacklers for a 22-yard gain to midfield. On first and 10 from the 49, Captain Ridenhour went off-tackle for 11 yards to the Roosevelt 40.

 

Then, to show the Indians they were living in a fool’s paradise, the Tiger line blew out the Indian line on the next play springing Ridenhour into the secondary. He powered through the secondary and kept going, and going, and going, tacklers dropping by the wayside. Breaking loose at the 30, he was ahead of the war party! He went all the way, 40 yards from scrimmage for his second touchdown at 2:35 of the first quarter. Pablo missed the point wide left, and White Plains lead 13-6.

 

Fearsome Foursome Walls Them Up, Sets WP up at 39.

 

After the KO, Roosevelt started up at their 21. Evan McGuire swooping in from right defensive end, reasserted the authority of the White Plains defense, sacking the quarterback at the 16. Ryan Smalls bulldogged the next runner pushing Roosevelt back to the 13. A third down pass fell incomplete way down field. A poor 25 yard punt followed and White Plains took over at the Roosevelt 39.

 

Mike Devere on first down passed to a new receiver, Junior Shawn Jimison who caught the ball in the left flat, cut back into the center of the field for 9 yards. On  third and 1 from the 30, Spencer got the call and with the usual tidy work by the offensive line of Indelicato, Robles, Corretti and Della Posta and McGill ploughed to the 20, first down.

 

Ridenhour swung around left end 19 yards for his third touch down on the very first play of the second quarter. With Siaba returning to normalcy, the PAT made the score 20-6 with 11:53 to go in the half.

 

Pop Up Punt Yields 4^th  Ridenhour TD in 15 minutes.

 

White Plains defense bottled up three runs by Roosevelt forcing another fateful punt from the Indians’ 16 yard line. Not a situation you want to be in playing White Plains. The Indian punter shanked the punt straight up in the air, and White Plains downed it on the Roosevelt 26. At least 4 Tigers were around him when he booted, so I believe it was partially blocked. Opponents should kick from deeper behind the offensive line. The Tigers have scored at least 10 times this season thanks to rushed punts that have given them terrific field position.

 

Mike Devere fired over the middle to  Mike Johnson who snared the pass on the fly and for a first down on the Roosevelt 15. After a hold pushed WP back to the 29, Devere called # 33 and Spencer Ridenhour lugged to the 22.

 

 

SPENCER RIDENHOUR’S WONDERFUL DAY CONTINUES: “33” is finally brought down on the very next play when QB Devere called on Ridenhour again. This time he went around left end and Captain Ridenhour got all the way to the 2.  Photo by WPCNR Sports

 

“MR. TOUCHDOWN WHITE PLAINS” SCORES NUMBER 4, HIS 50TH OF ALL TIME: He scored his 4^th touchdown on the next play and it was 26-6, with 7:42 left in the first half. Spencer is diving into the end zone (his foot high in the air) after Gary Morello (22) cleared the lane. We believe that’s Evan McGuire blocking another Indian tackler, as Spencer beats the last defender. Mike Devere (15) watches TD Number 4. The score made it 26-6, Tigers with 8 minutes to go in the first half. Photo by WPCNR Sports

 

It was Ridenhour day at the Palmer Bowl. He simply could not be stopped, rushing for over 200 yards, most of that in the first 15 minutes of this game.

 

Roosevelt Shows Terrific Heart.

 

Roosevelt, though showed terrific competitive fire by coming back strong. On 3^rd and 26, another long pass and run set them up with a first and 10 on the White Plains 10. Mike Lane saved a touchdown by catching up to Roosevelt’s John Smith at the White Plains 10. However, the Indians scored on 2^nd and 19 on a touchdown pass to Smith in the right corner of the end zone, and the half ended at 26-13.

 

White Plains had another scoring chance before the half that was ended by a fumble, and  Keith Shaw intercepted a Roosevelt pass to end their bid to get back in the game.

 

 

MARCHING WITH FLORIDA SEMINOLE PRECISION AT HALFTIME, The White Plains High School Marching Band unvieled some intricate formations of their own, showcasing block movements, pinwheels and coordinated weaves worthy of a college band. Photo by WPCNR BandCam

 

Second Half Adjustments Close the Lanes

 

Rooselvelt’s halfback options and passes were adjusted to by the White Plains defense in the second half, and they did not move the ball well. Sweeps were mitigated and a stronger pass rush kept Roosevelt off the board.

 

After Roosevelt was stopped on their opening series of the second half, White Plains marched 40 yards in 11 plays, taking 7 minutes off the third quarter clock, only to lose the ball on a fumble at the Roosevelt 20.

 

Corretti Sack and Fumble Snatch Buries Roosevelt. 

 

John Corretti crashed into the Roosevelt backfield causing a fumble at the Roosevelt 32 yard line, and returned it to the Indians 17, putting the Tigers in business again midway in the third quarter. Three handoffs to Ridenhour later, and Spencer had scored his 5^th touchdown and 51^st of his White Plains football career, with 2:22 to go in the Third Quarter, the Tigers held a 33-13 lead.

 

THE LONE RIDENHOUR RIDES AGAIN: Probably Spencer Ridenhour’s greatest day as a running back concluded with his fifth touchdown of the autumn afternoon as he scored standing up through the middle of the Roosevelt line. Ridenhour, ball-tucked under steps into the endzone after Sean McLaughlin (16), Peter McGill(5), Michael Della Posta (51) and Jason Indelicato(61) once again built him an Interstate to the Endzone. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

 

White Plains so dominated this game, Jason Indelicato did not have punting practice until the 10 minute mark of the 4^th quarter, when Roosevelt finally stopped a White Plains drive naturally (no turnover).

 

Gary Morello scored the Tigers final touchdown with 6:25 to go in the contest after Evan McGuire intercepted a Roosevelt pass.

 

Gorton is Tigers’ first playoff opponent.

 

The Section 1 Seeding Committee has scheduled White Plains to host Gorton (5-2) at Parker Stadium next Saturday as the Section 1 Playoffs begin. Kickoff is at 1:30 P.M.

 

White Plains victory over Rooselvelt gave the Tigers their first undefeated regular season since 1993, and their first League Championship since then.

 

White Plains defeated Gorton earlier this season.

 

 

 

SIGHTS SEEN AROUND ON A PERFECT AUTUMN FOOTBALL DAY.

 

60 YARDS OF WESTCHESTER’S GREATEST FOOTBALL MARCHING BAND.

DARING CHEERLEADERS AND DANCING TIGERS

In Westchester’s Most Picturesque Stadium

 

Photos by WPCNR Sports

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WPCNR STAGE DOOR. By Oscar Smalls, The Helen Hayes Theatre Company. October 17, 2003: Evita, the long-waited-for production of the Broadway hit opens this evening at the Helen Hayes Theatre Company in Nyack.
This musical masterpiece starring Broadway’s Felicia Finley premiers at the Helen Hayes Theatre Company in Nyack from October 18 – November 2. Tickets are $32.50 to $47.50. For tickets or more information, call the Box Office at 845-358-6333 or visit their web site at http://www.hhtco.org.

What is the last week prior to opening night like? Here is Oscar Smalls’  Countdown to Opening Night Diary of what Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday were like at the Helen Hayes.

Wednesday, October 15: The cast and crew are in the middle of “tech week”, which is getting the lights, music, costumes, sets, actors and crew all working seamlessly together.

Robert Levinstein (stage manger) was running things effortlessly even though he had actors, tech people and musicians all looking to him for answers on entrances and exits, light cues and position marks.  In between light cues, Stephen Purdy (musical director) was busy getting in extra rehearsal time on the number “The Lady’s Got Potential”. Although rehearsal came to a halt when Evita herself (actress Felicia Finley) could not locate a crucial costume piece, a marabou robe, the robe was found and Ms. Finley came onstage instantly back in character and on went the show. Everyone stopped for a moment to listen to her sing…wow…and then on with the tech rehearsal!

As the office staff of the Helen Hayes was winding up it’s day at 5:00, the cast and crew had only begun their lunch break, with a full evening of work (and play!) to go.

Thursday, October 16: Despite the fact that the lobby of the Helen Hayes is still littered with boxes of props and set pieces, lighting equipment and cords running all over the place, Meredyth Mindte, the Helen Hayes Production Manager, insisted that this is all quite normal. In fact, she said rehearsals were ahead of schedule and in her words, “just swell!”.

The cast was taking extra time to rehearse some of the musical numbers. For instance, the number Rainbow Tour takes place on chairs with wheels and there was problem with the chairs slipping out from underneath the actors while they moved around…not good. Today was the first day the actors got to work with the chairs they will be using in the show. So with several runs at it and some giggles in between everyone felt comfortable and safe!

The choreographer, Kim Jordan, was reworking some of the dance pieces on the number, And the Money Kept Rolling In.  Sometimes what looks great in a rehearsal studio doesn’t always fill a stage once you get there. With a few minor adjustments, Kim’s vision came alive to create one of the most exciting musical moments in the show.

Friday, October 17: The final rehearsal day! Will the light cues be seamless? Will the song transitions flow? Will the audience be blown away? We’ll find out tonight!

After weeks of planning and endless days of rehearsals, EVITA finally gets the last ingredient – an audience. Tonight’s invited dress rehearsal is reserved for the employees and colleagues on the show’s corporate sponsor – LeCroy Corporation.

With the final touches on costumes and lights, orchestrations and sets, the excitement is in the air is palpable. EVITA is ready to mesmerise and enchant!

The Helen Hayes Theatre Company in Nyack, NY is within 30 minutes from most towns in Westchester and Bergen Counties and only 20 minutes from the George Washington Bridge. “Evita” is sponsored by LeCroy Corporation.

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WPCNR Daily White Plains Worker. By John F. Bailey. October 17, 2003: Janice Marra, spokesperson for the Civil Service Employees Association told WPCNR today that the CSEA which represents approximately 400 City of White Plains employees is unhappy with the Common Council response towards CSEA demands for a new contract. “The White Plains City Council has not been too receptive to some of our requests,” she said.

 

 

George Gretsas, asked about street talk indicating to WPCNR that negotiations with the CSEA were not going well, said that an impass in negotiations had been declared and that a fact finder had come in to review the rationales of both the city and the union, who would make a recommendation that might lead to a settlement, but it was not binding. He said he expected that the fact finder would have their analysis ready within “a few weeks.”

Marra, spokesperson for the CSEA’s Southern Region Office in Beacon, New York, confirmed to WPCNR that the impasse and fact-finder being brought in was true, saying, “The Common Council has stalled things to date. The City Council hasn’t been too receptive to some of our suggestions. Efforts at mediation have been unsuccessful.”

Marra said 400 City of White Plains workers are CSEA members, and that there are 2,000 CSEA members living in White Plains. She said, “We’re looking at starting public outreach in the next few weeks, asking our members to reach out to Mayor Delfino and members of the Common Council to urge them to return to the bargaining table.”

Asked what the sticking points were, Marra said they were not over wages, but benefits, saying the city was asking to raise the cost of some benefits and reduce other benefits. WPCNR has learned privately from sources close to the Common Council that the union is seeking the same level of salary increase as the police and fire unions, 3.5%, and the council has said they are “not going to get it.”

Marra said it was not the union’s policy to negotiate through the media. Mr. Gretsas said it was not the city policy to comment on ongoing negotiations to the media, either.

“We’re looking for the city to be fair to working families,” Marra stated. “We want fair raises, affordable benefits. We urge the Common Council and the Mayor to come back to the bargaining table.”

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WPCNR MAIN STREET LINE. From Rick Ammirato, The Mayor’s Office. October 15, 2003: Throughout the month of September, the residents of White Plains, NY took the advice of Mayor Joseph Delfino and Real Simple magazine by cleaning out their cluttered closets, overstuffed garages and messy basements in a unique community-wide fund raising effort to help get organized for their own good and to benefit a good cause – Family Services of Westchester.

 

ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, THE COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER on the streets of downtown White Plains to celebrate getting organized and shop for some bargains from among the nearly 10,000 items collected from the community.  And shop they did.  The campaign raised $50,000 to benefit Family Services of Westchester, a non-profit organization that has been serving the Westchester community for 50 years.  Specifically the funds will be used to renovate and modernize the client services waiting area of FSW’s White Plains office and turn waiting time into productive time. Official City of White Plains Photo By Rick Ammirato, The Mayor’s Office.

 

HANDING “THE HANDLE” ON OVER: Grant Schneider of White Plains, Associate Publisher, Marketing, Real Simple Magazine presents a $50,000 check to Tom Sanders, President, Family Services of Westchester. L to right are Scott Hancock, Advertising Manager, Palm Inc.; Anne Martin, Marketing Director, Westpoint Stevens; Casey Preist, Vice President Marketing, The Container Store; Grant Schneider, Tom Sanders, President, Family Services, and “America’s Favorite Mayor,” Joseph Delfino. Official City of White Plains Photo by Rick Ammirato, The Mayor’s Office.

“We appreciate the support of Mayor Delfino and are honored to be the beneficiary of Real Simple magazine’s Get Organized America,” said Tom Sanders, President of Family Services of Westchester.   “Just like Real Simple magazine and Mayor Delfino, our organization is dedicated to improving lives.  This contribution will go a long way to help a lot of people.”

Residents shop in one of the big tents on Main Street last weekend. Official City of White Plains Photo by Rick Ammirato of The Mayor’s Office.

Real Simple magazine’s Get Organized America made it easy for residents to donate their clutter.  The month-long donation drive offered house calls; drop boxes for small items and a manned donation center.  To give residents the tools and know-how, Real Simple and its sponsors, The Container Storeâ, MasterCardâ, Martexâ, Volkswagen and Palm Inc., distributed free organizing kits and hosted a series of free organizing seminars.

 

For more information visit WWW.GETORGANIZEDAMERICA.COM  or call 1-866-4-DECLUTTER (1-866-433-2588).