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

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



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



 


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


 


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


 



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


 


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


 


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


 


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


 


Mayor Delfino on Sidelines


 


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


 


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


 


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


 


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


 


Not a Big Loser.


 


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


 


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


 


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


 


Chides Samaritan House for Overreacting.


 


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


 


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


 


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


 


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


 


A Three Person Shelter Legal for 14 Clients?


 


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


 


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


 


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


 


Whistle Blower Not Sure.


 


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


 


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


 


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


 


The Future Looks Good.


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


 


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


 


Ryan said Samaritan House will not be terminated in 2005.


 


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


 


Samaritan House Residents Not Informed Positively Yet.


 


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

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

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

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

Opening Nationwide, Friday, December 10th

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


 


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


 



 


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


 


 





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


 



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


 


 


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


 


 


 


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


 


Ryan: County Legislators Have the Money to Save Samaritan House


 


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


 


 



 


County Legislator William Ryan. Photo, WPCNR News Archive.


 


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


 


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


 


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


 


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


 


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


 


Ryan Says County has $27 Million Surplus.


 


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


 


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


 


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


 


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


 


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


 


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


 


Staff is Now Cut.


 


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


 


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


 


What does Department of Social Services Still Want?


 


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


 


Grace Community Church has refused to do so.


 


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


 


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


 


Samaritan House Performance Numbers Requested.


 


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


 


 


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


 


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


 


 


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


 


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


 


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

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Fire, Police Make Two Rescues in smoke-filled fire scene at 23 Old Mamaroneck

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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. By John F. Bailey. December 8, 2004: The White Plains Department of Public Safety has confirmed in talking with firefighters who were first into the apartment fire at 23 Old Mamaroneck Road Tuesday night that two rescues were executed in the first smoke-filled minutes of the fire.


 


Fire Lieutenant  James Maganello felt the presence of a person collapsed on the stairway as he was groping his way up the stairway between the 4th and 5fh floors of 23 OMR as he was searching for residents of the building  in dense, zero visibility conditions.


 


 Maganello told Inspector Daniel Jackson, of the Public Safety Department that he was proceeding up the staircase in dense smoke, feeling his way up the stairwell when he felt a body with his fingers. He then proceeded to carry a woman, unconcious from the smoke,  down two flights of stairs where he handed her off to two other fire fighters. The woman, Inspector Jackson reports, is still hospitalized at White Plains Hospital Medical Center. Another person who was disabled was also found and placed on a fifth floor fire escape where Police Detective Wilhelm stayed with her until it was safe to evacuate her.  The fire was declared completely out at 5:50 P.M.


Jackson said that Deputy Commissioner David Chong was first on the scene within one minute of when the alarm was called in. Jackson reported the first apparatus arrived within 3 minutes and firefighters were into the building, deploying hose and into the building within 3 minutes of the 4:36 P.M. alarm He said he did not have a time when water was first poured on the fire. He said that within 3 minutes firefighters were into the building looking for occupants and attempting to make rescues in what Jackson described as a smoke-filled environment. Fire did go beyond the 3-C apartment where it began in a bedroom.


 


Have To Go at the Fire From the Inside.


 


Jackson explained that contrary to what observers might think, a fire of this sort cannot be attacked by water from the outside by pouring water into the windows,  because “you drive the fire into other apartments, and you would have more fire damage to other apartments.” 


 


He said the fire was contained within Apartment 3-C where it started. He described the building as sustaining extensive smoke and water damage on the other floors in another of other apartments. Jackson said of reports in other media that firefighters did not attack the fire fast enough, that  “it is a terrible thing to watch your  life’s belongings to go up in flames, and it never seems as if enough is being done.”


 


Jackson said that hose was deployed up the stairwell to the third floor and to the apartment where the blaze was situated and extinguished from the inside.


 


Investigation Continues.


 


Jackson said there is a question of whether smoke detectors were deployed within the building, and that is under investigation along with the cause of the fire. He said there were no sprinkler systems in the premises.  He had no knowledge of whether fire extinguishers were available in the building.


 


The spokesman for the Department of Public Safety said 50 White Plains Firefighters were actively involved in fighting the fire, representing 10 companies, 4 mutual aid departments were deployed.


 


 

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Andy to the Rescue: Spano, Schwartz, DSS, Grace to Meet Today

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WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. By John F. Bailey. December 8, 2004: The stakeholders in whether Samaritan House continues to serve homeless women after January 1, will convene at 3:30 at Grace Community Church reports The Reverend Janet Vincent of Grace Church. Among them will be County Executive Andy Spano and his Deputy, Larry Schwartzm according to Reverent Janet Vincent.


 


Mr. Spano’s expected attendance at the meeting was denied by the County Executive Chief Advisor, Susan Tolchin, when WPCNR asked to confirm that Mr. Spano would be at the meeting and was taking a personal interest. According to Reverend Vincent interviewed by WPCNR at 11:30 Wednesday morning, representatives from the Department of Social Services, the Grace Church Board, and Mr. Spano and Mr. Schwartz were going to attend. The meeting as originally described was for “a clearing of the air,” over who was responsible for the reported impending closing of Samaritan House. Now with Mr. Spano’s participation, if it happens, the meeting takes on new significance.



 


However, with the County Executive reported to be attending, perhaps a solution to the 37% increase sought by Grace Church Community Services, (the amount Grace Community Services claims they need to continue the shelter into 2005), may be a product of the high level gathering which has been kept hush-hush. Nobody seems to know when these meetings were being held. Ms. Tolchin told WPCNR Tuesday evening she had no idea when the two meetings, one between D.S.S. and the Grace Church Board of Directors, and one called by County Board of Legislators Chair, William Ryan, would take place. Today Gary Kriss told WPNCR, Mr. Ryan was “expediting” a meeting between Lois Bronz, the County Legislator and Reverend Vincent this afternoon, but Mr. Kriss did not have the specific time available.


 


The issue of Samaritan House surfaced November 18 as a result of a News 4 report that Samaritan House was closing. News 4 broke the story when they received an e-mail from Reverend George Sinzer, a minister with the Universal Life Church. Mr. Sinzer is presently on disability, and does not have a church of his own, however, he works with persons in need.


 


Sinzer’s e-mail to Investigations@nbc.com, dated Sunday, November 21, 2004, 6:34:50 P.M. read:


 


My name, The Reverend George Sinzer and I am a Minister with the Universal Life Church, I am writing to you on behalf of the women that are (for the time being) housed in the all women’s shelter at 33 Church Street, White Plains, N.Y.


 


The shelter is being closed due to “lack of funding by the County of Westchester”, this is what the Director of the Shelter (Joseph D’Ambrosio) told the women that are housed there, but the NY Journal News (who will print this story front page Tuesday) has talked to the Department of Social Services that they have been fighting to keep it open.


 


There is also the contribution to the Church from either the builders or the owners of the building going up, but it seems there is a lot going on, things that just do not add up. On top of this, some of the staff will lose their jobs and ten men will be brought into the shelter to work, some of these women have issues dealing with men, and this could do more harm than they could have realized.


 


And to add insult to injury, the shelter is set to close December 31, but the women must go six blocks or better to have lunch and dinner at the Men’s Shelter (Open Arms on East Post Road).


 


All this because of a Trump Tower being built directly behind the Shelter, of which the property lines are said to be on the shelter site as well.


 


Please someone call me so that I may tell these poor, scared women that you will help get to the bottom of this mystery, my contact number is XXX-XXX-XXXX and you may also e-mail me at this address.


 


Sincerely,


 


The Reverend George Sinzer.

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Smokey Fire OUT at 23 Old Mamaroneck Road. Residents of 22 Apts Temp Homeless

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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. December 7, 2004, UPDATED December 8, 9:02 A.M. E.S.T.:  A number of families are evacuated from their apartments at 23 Old Mamaroneck Road, the scene of a third floor fire early Tuesday evening. Three families have been housed overnight by the American Red Cross and an undetermined number of other residents have found shelter with other family and friends.


Inspector Daniel Jackson of the White Plains Department of Public Safety told WPCNR this morning that the 22 apartments in the wing of 23 Old Mamaroneck Avenue were not inhabitable because the power and services had been cut to that part of the building. Jackson said the City of White Plains Building Department would be meeting with some of the residents at noon today to inform them on the status of the building and when they could return to their homes.. Inspector Jackson said he did not have information on the total residents left homeless by the fire.


Jackson said the alarm was phoned in at 4:36 P.M., and was fought  from the interior of the building. He said four residents were treated at White Plains Hospital Medical Center for smoke inhalation. No Fire Department personnel were injured Jackson said. No cause has been determined at this hour.



23 Old Mamaroneck Road on Shapham Place side, 8 A.M. Photo by WPCNR News


At about 5:15 P.M, WPCNR learned of a fire in progress in the vicinity of Mamaroneck Avenue School. Police Headquarters reported the fire is at 23 Old Mamaroneck Road. Police Scanner reports indicated the fire was on the third floor. A resident reported a very smokey atmosphere in the area, and as of 7 PM, a pungent acrid smokey odor could be smelled on the east side of the city. A motorist phoning in to WPCNR said traffic was  blocked off on Mamaroneck Avenue and in the Old Mamaroneck Road area, and that “the southend is in gridlock.” The building was at 23 Old Mamaroneck Road a short distance from Nosband Avenue



Shapham Place View. Photo by WPCNR News


As of 9 P.M., the fire was reported out by Bob Reggio, the Coordinator for the American Red Cross. He said a number of persons had been evacuated from the building, and could not return. He reported an undetermined number of residents were able to find shelter with “family and friends,” and that the Red Cross was housing three families they were “putting up for the night.” As of 9 P.M., Reggio said he had six Red Cross volunteers in the Mamaroneck Avenue School  handling inquiries. 



Fire began on Third Floor. Closer View of the damage as of Wednesday morning. Photo by WPCNR News

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Council Approves Ben Simon Land Purchase; Continues Hamilton & Storage Complex P

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WPCNR Common Council Chronicle-Examiner. December 7, 2004: The Common Council approved purchasing a 2.5 acre piece of property off Hillair Circle for $1.868 Million to be paid through parking fines, the open space acquisition fund, profits from the Starbuck’s “open space incubator,” and the Recreation Trust Fund. It continued hearings on The Hamilton condominiums at Church and Barker and the Storage USA self-storage facility expansion off South Kensico to January in view of opposition.


 



A young resident stressed the importance of the city continuing to add actual affordable housing units in new buildings, saying that payment of funds by developers building condominium buildings to satisfy the city 6% set-aside–affordable-housing ordinance was not working, since the $25,000 available through existing downpayment assisance plans did not begin to cover the cost of acquiring a house or a condominum. PhotoCapture of WPGA-TV Government Acces Telecast  by WPCNR News





A hearing on the ASB Capital Management Hamilton Condominium to build a 13-story condominium was adjourned to January, and faced commentary from former Councilman Glen Hockley, advocating a density bonus plan where developers would be allowed to build larger to accommodate affordable units.  Ann Pollack, Chair of the White Plains Affordable Housing Committee, urging the council require the developer to provide actual affordable units instead of payment of a fee to satisfy their affordable housing obligation. ( A city ordinance requires 6% of rental units of any new project to be set aside for affordable housing, and a consensus agreement by the council offers a payment alternative.)


 


The Mayor said that he appreciated the concern for affordable housing, and reported that right now in the city, 38% of the housing in the Central Business District fit the income profiles of “low and moderate income” (60% of median income, and 80% of median income) persons seeking residences. He noted the city was getting affordable units online in the future: that  The City Center towers were going to provide 36 units (from Mr. Cappelli), that 16 were going to be available at The Jefferson, and 5 were in Clayton Park.


 


 



A 58-YEAR RESIDENT , a Mr. Cooper of 12 Minerva Place objected on behalf of himself and 28 other residents of the street about the city proposed zoning change that would allow building expansion of the Storage USA self-storage facility on Kensico Avenue. PhotoCapture of WPGA-TV Government Access telecast by WPCNR News


 


A proposal to rezone 7 Minerva Place as light industrial to accommodate an expansion of a self-storage unit by a new owner, Storage USA, faced opposition from a Mr. Cooper speaking for owners of property at 12, 13, 14 and  the 26-unit, 16 Minerva  Place saying expansion of the facility and rezoning to light industrial would lower their property values. 


 



Commissioner of Planning Explains the Advantages of the 4 New Affordable Housing Units. PhotoCapture from WPGA-TV Government Access Telecast by WPCNR News


 


 In light of this opposition, the hearing was continued to January, when a full-blown presentation was promised by Mayor Delfino. Commissioner of Planning Susan Habel noted that the new owner, Storage USA, had promised the city use of a 6,000 square foot lot for 4 units of affordable housing, and she cited that as one of the benefits to the city seeking to rezone the 25 foot frontage of 7 Minerva Place to reconfigure the storage building there. 


 


The city extended the site plan permit for the senior affordable housing project spearhead by former Councilman Bill Brown.


 


The Council renewed the cabaret license of Coughlin’s restaurant, and approved the application of the Novita/Caffe Bar at 93 Mamaroneck Avenue to operate a cabaret and present outdoor dining on an interior terrace.


 



Amedeo Fusca, Unsung Hero. Employee of the Month. PhotoCapture of WPGA-TV Government Access Telecast by WPCNR News


 


The Mayor recognized Amedeo Fusca, Automotive Mechanic II with the Department of Public Works as Employee of the Month. Mr. Fusca was praised for his design of a Squad 4 Fire Department truck to provide the fire department with a first-response apparatus to respond to unusual life-threatening emergencies.


 



WHITE PLAINS CEREMONY TREE LIGHTS SUNDAY NIGHT. The Moment of Light.Photo by WPCNR News


 


The Mayor told the citizenry he was very moved by the Tree Lighting ceremony held Sunday evening in Tibbetts Park on the North Broadway median, saying approximately 2,000 persons attended, which he said was the largest crowd he had every experienced in his seven years of executing the ceremony.


 



MAYOR DELFINO SINGING JINGLE BELLS with White Plains Youth Bureau After School Choir Sunday evening. Photo by WPCNR News.


 



MAYOR DELFINO WELCOMES SANTA Sunday Night. The Mayor invited the view public of Monday evening’s Council Meeting to attend the City Ball Drop on New Year’s Eve, which he announced would be televised live. Photo by WPCNR News.

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City First Quarter Sales Tax Receipts Jump 15.6% — Projects to $44 Million/YR

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WPCNR City Hall Limits. By John F. Bailey. December 6, 2004: The city unveils its First Quarter Financials for its fiscal year of 2004-05 this evening, and there’s good news. The city sales tax pace for July, August and September of the first quarter is running 15.6% of the 2003 First Quarter Pace. The figures released by the City Clerk’s office provided by the City of White Plains Financial Department, show that the city if it mains the present sales tax pace of 15% will collect $43.7 Million in Sales Tax by the completion of the fiscal year June 30, 2005.


The city Financial Report for 2003-2004, examined by WPCNR at the City Clerk Office,  is also being officially released this evening showing the city collected $37,698,714 in sales tax for the 2003-04 fiscal year, hitting WPCNR’s projection made in the spring of 2004 that the city would have to collect $9 to $10 Million in sales tax in the last quarter to hit their budget projection. They just did make it.


 


The 2003-04 Financial Report also paints a picture portraying a robust White Plains economy last spring, when the city picked up $9,240,938 in sales tax in the final quarter to meet their budget, a  13-1/2% increase in sales tax pace over the last quarter (April May June) of 2002-2003, when the city took in $8,135,166 in sales taxes.


 


A fast examination of the Final financials of 04-04 by the CitizeNetReporter appears to indicate that the unreserved fund balance, though has committed $5,644,256 to “subsequent year” expenses this fiscal year, leaving the city only a $1,190,655 cash available for emergencies. It should be noted that the fund balance can be replenished as the so far “roaring 04-05” rolls on.


 


Other items in the Financial Report of note are a reported construction cost of $3,219,975 for the White Plains Performing Arts Center, and a $1,000,000 bond for the White Plains Performing Arts Center. There was no explanation as to whether these costs were offset by other revenues for specifically that purpose. There was also a construction cost of $2,757,271 for the Renaissance Plaza Fountain, which again did not have an explanation as to whether it was offset by grants and cash coming in for specifically that purpose.


 


WPCNR will provide a more detailed report when the Final financials become available to the general public this evening.

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Christmas Trees for Charity Available at Memorial Methodist Church

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WPCNR EAST END SCENE. From Memorial Methodist Church, United Methodist Church. December 5, 2004:  In this season of giving, Memorial and Central Korean United Methodist Churches invite you to turn your family’s Christmas tree into an opportunity to give to the needy.  Christmas trees for charity!


The covenant partners, who are in ministry together and share a church on
Bryant Avenue in White Plains, are selling Christmas trees in our front yard
beginning Dec. 2, and donating all of the profits to local and international
children’s ministries.

More than 300 fresh frasier firs and balsams in a variety of sizes are being
shipped here from Maine and Pennsylvania to fill local homes with the
holiday spirit.  The trees will be on sale in front of our church at 250
Bryant Avenue on Thursdays through Sundays from Dec. 2-24 or until the trees
run out. You can also buy greens, roping and wreaths!

The Tree Selling Schedule is as follows:

Thursdays & Fridays             3 to 6 p.m.
Saturdays                 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sundays                Noon to 6 p.m.

If you don’t need a tree, please consider buying one for a local family that
can’t afford it, and Memorial volunteers will gladly deliver it.

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What’s the West Side Story? Post Road Makeover In Works?

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WPCNR West Side Story. By John F. Bailey. December 4, 2004: Is redevelopment about to be proposed for Post Road in  vicinity of South Lexington Avenue? WPCNR has learned a reporter from another news organization has interviewed merchants of the Lexington Avenue-Post Road strip to get their views on redevelopment of the area.


 


One member of the White Plains Common Council told WPCNR about hearing rumors of redevelopment, but had no facts to support the rumors, and had not been briefed on any such development planned for that part of the city.


 


The “West Side Story” so far as WPCNR can tell based on the wildfire of rumors going around the city this weekend is that it may  involve affordable housing and other development  possibly planned to be built somewhere on West Post Road by a prominent local developer. The actual location of the development is sketchy.


 


The rumored site would according to the whispers be in the vicinity of  West Post Road and South Lexington Avenue near Calvary Baptist Church.


 


Reverend Lestor Cousin of  Calvary Baptist Church told WPCNR he was unaware of any such planned development, and would check into it.


 


Is there any substance  to the rumors? Stay tuned.


 


 

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