Adam In Albany: Assembly Passes Clergy Reporting Bill, Small Biz Pkg

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WPCNR’S ADAM IN ALBANY, By New York Assemblyman Adam Bradley. March 29, 2003:This week the Assembly passed various bills improving the quality of life for Westchester families, including legislation to help small businesses thrive and a bill requiring clergy to report abuse. These bills are part of the Assembly’s continuing efforts to improve the state’s struggling economy and ensure the safety of our families.

Holding clergy responsible to report abuse

Child abuse is one of the most heinous crimes there is, and it inflicts a lifetime of pain. That’s why I recently supported a bill giving clergy the same responsibility to report abuse that other trusted professionals like teachers and doctors already have (A.1516).

This legislation would also require religious institutions to review old allegations of child abuse lodged in the last 20 years, as well as allegations against current clergy members.

This legislation, along with the Assembly statewide Amber Plan law, will help protect Westchester’s children from predators.

Helping small businesses revitalize NY’s economy

On the economic front, the Assembly passed a package of vital legislation to ensure small businesses receive much needed support that will help them compete with larger businesses. Small businesses create eight out of ten jobs in New York, and considering the fiscal crisis facing our state, it was even more important to provide them with assistance.

The economic package we passed included:

· Requiring the state Department of Economic Development to give small businesses and entrepreneurs priority consideration for assistance (A.3913);

· Authorizing credit unions to participate in the Excelsior Linked Deposit program, which provides small businesses with low-cost loans (A.2078);

· Allowing small businesses to defer payments of telephone installation charges for up to one year, cutting start-up costs (A.4531); and

· Providing environmental compliance assistance through the Department of Economic Development (A.314) and the state’s Industrial Effectiveness program (A.1512).

These bills are a small step toward improving our economy and making Westchester a safer place to live. I will continue to support legislation which improves our ailing economy and protects our children.

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White Plains Frank Limone Assumes Problem Gambling Post

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WPCNR WHITE PLAINS PEOPLE. From Westchester Jewish Community Services.:White Plains resident Frank Limone, CSW, CASAC, NYGTS, has been named to the Board of the New York Council on Problem Gambling in Albany, NY. The Council grants certification to counselors who have met the criteria for providing high quality treatment services for pathological and problem gamblers and those affected by their gambling.

A certified Gambling Supervisor, Mr. Limone is Coordinator of the Problem Gamblers Recovery Program (PGRP) in Mamaroneck, which is sponsored by Westchester Jewish Community Services. In addition to providing counseling to problems gamblers, he also trains and supervises other counselors.

The Problem Gambling Recovery Program (PGRP), the only one of its kind in Westchester, offers gamblers, their families and other loved ones a comprehensive clinical program aimed at achieving abstinence from problem gambling. PGRP services include individual and family counseling and referral for self-help and social support services. For more information, about the PGRP call 381-5560.

WJCS also sponsors “Don’t Bet Your Life Away,” a support group for men and women with gambling problems, which meets at the WJCS Hartsdale Office, 141 North Central Avenue. Anyone interested can call 761-0600, ext. 755.

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China Seas: Sea Witch Lengthens Lead Over Great American II

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WPCNR ADVENTURER’S LOG. From Cynthia Goss.March 27, 2003 2°55’S 108°46’E / South China Sea. Fighting in light
airs to get clear of the South China Sea, the two-man crew of the trimaran Great American II, including Westchester’s own Rich du Moulin of Larchmont, is now trailing the ghost of the extreme clipper ship Sea Witch by three and a half days in its attempt to set a new sailing record from Hong Kong to New York City.

Aboard their 53-foot trimaran, American sailing adventurers Rich Wilson (Rockport, Mass.) and Rich du Moulin (Larchmont, N.Y.) have set their sights on eclipsing the Sea Witch’s 154-year-old sailing record on a non-stop 15,000-mile, seven-week voyage to New York. Their saga is the focal point of an interactive educational web program called sitesALIVE! to bring live adventure to 360,000 school children.

Great American II was 1,680 miles south of Hong Kong and just 230
miles northwest of Djakarta on Thursday, approaching Sunda Strait, marking the exit from the South China Sea into the Indian Ocean. On the chart, the corresponding position for Sea Witch was just west of Christmas Island, some 500 miles ahead after ten days of sailing.

“It is a very tough and frustrating passage down the South China Sea,” Larchmont’s du Moulin reported today via satellite email. “The wind always seems to die, just when we are getting used to moving along. It is rare for us to achieve 12 hours of continuous sailing without running out of wind.”

Strong northeasterly monsoon winds blessed Sea Witch with a string of daily averages over 200 miles in the early days of her voyage while, apart from a couple of good days with long runs, Great American II has had to contend with light and variable conditions.

“Great American II can ghost along with very little wind,” du Moulin added. “She is very sensitive and fun, but light wind sailing takes a lot of work. Just when we have set the spinnaker, the wind direction or velocity changes and we have to take it down and put up the reacher. With their associated gear, these sails are quite heavy and changes are time consuming.

“When we gybe the spinnaker it takes about ten minutes from start to finish and then the wind shifts and we have to gybe back. We’re not complaining but ten days of these conditions with Sea Witch screaming away from us at top speed has been difficult. We know we have a challenge ahead but we believe we can still do it.”

After encountering heavy commercial shipping and myriad fishing boats in the early days of the voyage, Great American II is again back in the main trade lanes and ship sightings have been frequent.

“We’ve seen one cruise ship, plus many tankers and bulk carriers, and
always the fishing fleet – this time mostly from Borneo. There are
beautiful colorful “mother boats,” with long booms for nets, that are also taking care of the many smaller boats which follow them around. Fishing boat motors make the loudest pulsating, putting sound. You can hear them miles away. What would the folks from OSHA say!”

After crossing the Indian Ocean Great American II will round the Cape of Good Hope before heading north into the Atlantic Ocean on course for New York’s Statue of Liberty. To beat Sea Witch’s record of 74 days 14 hours, the two sailors must arrive in New York the week of May 26.

* * *

HOW THE PUBLIC CAN FOLLOW GREAT AMERICAN II: The website tracking the voyage of Great American II is http://www.sitesalive.com. Daily position reports and a Captain’s Log are posted on the site so classrooms, students, and families who purchase licenses can follow the progress of the boat. For information, go to http://www.sitesalive.com/oceanchallengelive/.

The saga of GAII will also be published in a number of daily papers, in the Newspaper In Education supplements, and tracked on the AOL@SCHOOL program (keyword: sitesalive).

Great American II’s Newspaper In Education participation in seven national daily papers is supported by the sitesALIVE Foundation. Established in 2002, the Foundation addresses teacher training in computer technology and funding for budget-constrained schools. The mission of the foundation is to enhance K-12 education by promoting the use of technology with real-world, real-time content from around the globe. For more information or to make a donation, visit www.sitesalivefoundation.org.

Some 360,000 students are expected to follow the voyage of Great American II.

For a chart showing the relative positions of Great American II and Sea
Witch, go to: http://www.sitesalive.com/ocl/private/03s/pos/ocl3position.html

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Eastview Middle Schoolers Return From Washington.

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. March 27, 2003: Thirty sets of parents greeted the Middle School Wings Class Thursday evening as their charter bus pulled into the Eastview parking lot after spending two days in Washington, D.C. The field trip was the first of the district field trips to be conducted since the AmerIraq War began one week ago. Anxious parents stoically agreed to proceed with the trip, feeling it was the thing to do.



ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL: Parents and teens reunite after an anxious two days in the heavily guarded nation’s capitol. The Eastview Wings bus pulled into White Plains at 9:45 P.M., successfully ending a field trip that was carefully monitored by school authorities.
Photo by WPCNR News



PARENTS AND CHILDREN REUNITE: The Eastview Washington trip ended with collective hugs and sighs of relief from White Plains parents greeting their teens Thursday evening. The White Plains students viewed Arlington National Cemetery, the Lincoln Memorial, the Holocaust Museum and toured the United States Capitol, though area congressmen did not make time to see the children.
Photo by WPCNR News

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Get on Up and Dance! Performances the Goal for White Plains City Center Dancers

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WPCNR WHITE PLAINS STAGE DOOR . By John F. Bailey. March 27, 2003: White Plains own serious dance troop, the City Center Dancers in business for just six months go where the dancing is, and they have the talent to “make the cut.”



TA-DA! City show buffs have seen the engaging, hip-twisting teens in action at the Columbus Day Parade and the Fort Hill Players More Than Music production in January. This Saturday a contingent from Dina Giordano’s studio at 236 East Post Road, selected on the basis of a videotape audition will perform with seven other dance schools across the county at the DRADance Invitational at Pepsico Theatre Performing Arts Center in Purchase at 7 PM Saturday night, for the benefit of AIDS victims.
Photo by WPCNRStageDoorCam


Dina Giordano, long time dance instructor in Westchester County, founder of City Center Dance, Inc., in September, 2002 is very excited about the opportunity: “This is the first time they’re doing a dance invitational in Westchester County. Back in the fall of 2002, I submitted a video tape because I have a 12-hour dance marathon each December. So I submitted a tape. We were accepted, and the piece that we are actually doing this Saturday night we debuted over there with this group of girls in this particular company. They asked us to come back so we are now taking part in the first annual Westchester dance invitational. All the money goes to their organization which they distribute to different AIDS organizations for research and medince. As far as I know it’s a 100% donated.”

The girls will perform two numbers in the dance showcase. Tickets are available at $25 a piece and may be purchased by telephone at 251-6200, by pressing “3”.



TAPPING ON BROADWAY: Performing in the benefit will be White Plains residents, Jason Kaplan out front, with Amanda Culp nearest camera and Stephanie Kaplan, tapping up a storm in rehearsal Wednesday at the City Center’s spacious studios at 236 East Post Road.
Photo by WPCNR StageDoorCam


Other performers in the DRADance Invitational from White Plains are Lauren Cokeley, Dana Jacobowitz and Alison Lipman. Dancers appearing in the program include Lauren Bernard, Jessica Yubas and Gilian Rappaport from Harrison, and Gabyu Migoya, Clare Galterio and Jill Tatarzewski from Bedford.



DELICATE DUET: Clare Galterio, closest to camera, and Jill Tatarzewski of Bedford perform an elegant pas de deux in Saturday’s performance.
Photo by WPCNR StageDoorCam


Goal is to Perform Regularly.

Dina Giordano’s goal in starting the City Center Dance is to book the girls for volunteer performances wherever she can get them around and performing in the area. Dance studios traditionally, she says, teach their students all year, culminating in a dance recital in the spring. Giordano does that too, but offers her students variety.



ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, Dina Giordano says students get bored working on the same routine for months. She grooms her dancers, listens to their tastes in music, and creates different numbers they like. She’ll even create dance numbers on request from organizations featuring different groups of her dancers.
Photo by WPCNR StageDoorCam

She has a recital at the end of the year, too, but the different local bookings keep her students interested, enthusiastic about their dancing, bringing the thrill and experience of performing to students more than once or twice a year.

Over 200 Dance with the City Center Dancers

Giordano currently has 120 kids and 120 adults taking classes at her showcase on East Post Road. “I would definitely like to see that number grow, because we have such a beautiful big space, It’s 6,200 square feet with three studios that are approximately 38’ x 26’ each. That’s really large so we have capacity. We’re open Monday through Thursday for general classes. Friday we have no classes and Saturday we do rehearsals because I run several dance teams in the area. I run the White Plains High School Dance Team, Fox Lane Dance Team and Harrison High School Dance Team.”

No “P.I.L.O.T.” for Ms. Giordano. She Saved Her Pennies.

Ms. Giordano, hailing from Harrison, saved her own money and contributed a third to the cost of building the studio. Dina’s Dad, Michael Giordano of Ser-Roc Building Corporation built her studios at cost for her. She did not have to borrow money to open the studio.

Asked how she got clients, Ms. Giordano said she advertised, but “Really, I’ve been dancing for so long. I’ve been teaching in the Westchester County area for the past 13 years, so a lot of the kids know me by name. So what I did when I first started advertising, was to really to market on my name. They knew that Dina was coming to White Plains and she was opening up her own studio here. That helped tremendously because I already had a base, but my base is very widespread. So to get it narrowed down a bit we started targeting some marketing areas in White Plains and the local papers like the Westchester Parent and Westchester Family to get the people who don’t know me and live in the area.”

Lessons Learned

WPCNR asked why she wanted to start her own studio:

“When I was younger, I actually had no ambition to start my own studio. I thought it was too much work, very difficult, spreading the artistic aspect with the business aspect. Just slowly, as I got older, I was less and less happy working for somebody else, and then the opportunity came to pass to go into a partnership.”

Ms. Giordano was in partnership in a studio in Bedford the last two years before beginning City Center Dance last September.

“I went into a partnership for the first studio I opened and it was a wonderful learning experience. I learned so much through that. But it is really difficult which I found out to work with partners, which I’m sure a lot of people know. Right now, I’m a sole owner and it’s wonderful. I love it. The stress is my own the business is my own and it’s totally different.”

Teen Explosion

“The most unexpected thing was the biggest age group I anticipated to come and sign was the younger age, first, and second and kindergarten. And the exact opposite happened. The biggest age group was the teenagers. What that said to me was they were not happy dancing where they’re dancing. They’re looking for something different that I can provide, which goes back to songs they like, stimulation, changing the routines, changing the music, listening to what they have to say. I ask them. I ask them what songs you listen to, is there anything in particular you’d like to see them done.”

“Of course, there’s always the basics, but why not teach the basics to music they really want to here. They get so excited about it.”

The City Center Dance Difference: No Auditions. No Solo Company.

“One of the big things right now that makes City Center Dance different is I don’t have a single performing company. A lot of schools in the area hold auditions for one performing company and then those kids get to perform throughout the entire year. I have broadened that and tried to offer different performance opportunities to different kids. The kids you saw tonight are mostly older children so they are going out and doing the DRA and the Dance Fest and things like that.”
Giordano offers performing ops for the younger dancers, too: “ But I have a younger, depending on what we’re doing I offer it to the younger kids too. We did the White Plains Columbus Day Parade. We are doing a performance at the March of Dimes, a Walkathon on April 27. I mentioned White Plains High School, I’m bringing them there. I believe in letting as many kids have the opportunity to perform as possible…the ones I feel are appropriate for which level whether it’s appropriate for the younger kids or the older kids and go from there.”

City Center Dance Seeks Volunteer Gigs for All Her Students.

Ms. Giordano’s tireless ambition to work and develop her students has brought the new troup many opportunities to perform in a short time. Three weeks ago they were invited to Dancefest at the Rich Forum in Stamford. She called the March of Dimes after seeing their ad. Her goal is to have one performance a month for her students, but they do have other activities, so she will be happy if she can provide 6 to 8 performance opportunities a year for them. They will also create custom performances to a group’s specifications.



All Kinds of Music. Giordano, shown working her team through Saturday night’s number, believes in a variety of music and listens to what the children like: “I use lots of different music from jazz to hip-hop, top forty to blues. I really believe in versatility so I try and change the songs periodically for them to experience different types, and of course, give them something they want to hear so they’re having a good time.”
Photo by WPCNR StageDoorCam


City Center Dance got involved with the Fort Hill Players More Than Music production because Joan Charichak, President of the Players, was a student of Ms. Giordano’s when she was teaching at Dance Cavise. Ms. Giordano asked Joan how she might get more involved in the White Plains community. Ms. Charichak suggested doing a performance with the Fort Hill Players.

“She gave me a compilation of the songs they were going to do from the 40s, 50s and 60s,” Giordano said. “We picked our own songs to go along with the songs they were gong to sing and do acts from. That’s how we came up with it. I had our costumes made. We went from poodle skirts and ribbons in our hair to Capri pants to sunglasses through the eras. They don’t know about that music. They thought it was so much fun.”

Saturday Night Two Numbers for AIDS Victims.

Saturday evening’s DRADance Invitational has the City Center Dancers performing two numbers: “Mostly they just ask for a certain time limit, so whatever you can fit in in that time limit. There will also be a finale. They have a choreographer coming in to do a finale at the end. It’s a great performance opportunity. They’re performing at SUNY Purchase, which is something I could never give to the kids on my own. Being less than a year old, I don’t have the finances to rent out that type of theatre. The kids get to meet other children in the area. They get to talk and exchange stories and learn from each other. It’s not necessary to hold your kids tightly to one dance school. They should be able to diversify and learn. That’s the key to being a good performer is versatility. You’re not going to get that from one teacher forever and forever.”



ALL STAR FACULTY: Ms. Giordano teaches the jazz and hip-hop classes, and employs a staff of eight, bringing in teachers for tap, ballet modern, pilates and yoga. All of the teachers have dance background and professional experience.
Photo by WPCNR StageDoorCam


Parent Involvement and Diversity.

“I think what makes me different is the atmosphere we present here. We have double viewing windows, the studios are never closed. Parents can watch every single class. So parents have plenty of opportunity to watch throughout the year.

“We don’t concentrate on a recital at the end of the year. We do do one. But it’s not the focus of the entire year. The focus is to get the kids to diversify by going out and performing and doing different things by changing the music, by letting them have different routines as the months go by, and not simply concentrate on one routine from September to June. By then the kids are bored, they’re sick of it. They don’t want to do it anymore. They need to have stimulation. And that’s what makes us different we constantly give that stimulation they require.”

Dance for Adults with Adult Schedules in Mind

City Center Dance, Inc. does not require adults to sign up for classes, with adult classes being conducted on a “pay as you go basis.” Adults can buy a 10-class card and go to classes as they fit their schedule, at a discount.

Children are required to sign up for September to June. “The reason that we do that,” Giordano said, “is that I’ve found over the years half a year is not sufficient enough to teach these kids what they can learn, and what they learn between September and June is amazing compared to what they learn between September and January. Most of the kids who dance. They want to stick with it. They’re here for the duration. They love it. It’s part of their life.”

“I would hope their moms do not push it,” Giordano cautioned. “Kids express their interest on their own. They can come and watch a class. I will help them choose a class that’s appropriate for them.”

City Center Dance, Inc. is right on East Post Road next to Frozen Ropes and can be reached at 328-1881.

Ms. Giordano has been dancing since she was six years old. She studied at SUNY Purchase, doing the Young People’s Program there. She started dancing professionally at age 13 with Fernando Bujones. She continued dance training in New York through college. She attended College of Business at Pace University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. City Center Dance Incorporated brings her full cycle. More about City Center Dance can be found on their website at http://www.citycenterdance.com.



TICKETS for DRADANCE Invitational may be purchased at 251-6200, and pressing the button “3” on your touchtone phone. For more on how the benefit will contribute to AIDS research, go to their website http://www.dradance.org
Photo by WPCNR StageDoorCam

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White Plains A-Team — Paulin & Bradley Headline CNA April Meeting.

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WPCNR STREET TALK. From Council of Neighborhood Associations. March 27, 2003: The White Plains New York State Assembly Team of Amy Paulin of the 88th Assembly District and Adam Bradley of the 89th Assembly District will appear at a special April CNA meeting, Thursday, April 3 at 7:45 PM at Education House, 5 Homeside Lane.

The duo will brief the CNA and the public on the Westchester County property tax increase and future fiscal planning at the county, state and local government levels.

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State Senate Passes White Plains 1/2 % Sales Tax. Nick Spano Moves Bradley Bill

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WPCNR ALBAN TRIB & POST. By John F. Bailey. March 26, 2003: The New York State Senate has passed Assemblyman Adam Bradley’s solo bill which renews the White Plains 1/2% sales tax through the year 2005, Adam Bradley reported today to WPCNR.

Mr. Bradley said he had no guarantee when Governor George Pataki would sign the bill, saying, “I’m hopeful he will realize it is in the best interest of the city to sign it swiftly so the city will not have to go the expense of preparing two budgets.”

Bradley praised State Senator Nick Spano for moving the 1/2 percent bill through the Senate Rules Committee, stating, “I credit Nick Spano for assuring a swift passage through the Senate.”

George Gretsas, Executive Officer for the City of White Plains, said the swift passage of the half percent by the senate “was a good sign.”

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Comptroller’s Fixed Retirement Pay-In to Save $600G

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. March 25, 2003 UPDATED March 26, 2003, 2:00 E.S.T.: The Public Hearing on the preliminary 2003-04 White Plains City School Budget was held Monday evening and the public received a bit of good news. The proposed $135.2 million budget could decrease by as much as an estimated $600,000, according to the latest details on the Comptroller’s proposal. The proposal could reduce the year to year increase and more significantly the school tax rate increase, currently sitting on 7.9% to 7.3%, Richard Lasselle said Wednesday afternoon.



MAKING SENSE OF THE NUMBERS: Assistant Superintendent for Business Richard Lasselle, detailing the Preliminary Budget, said eleventh hour budget relief hangs on State Comptroller Allan Havesi’s proposal that school districts pay a fixed rate retirement fund contribution yearly, instead of adjusting fund contributions on an annual basis. That decision will not be made until Monday at the earliest, according to Mr. Lasselle.
Photo by WPCNR News




SECURITY CONCERNS: Superintendent of Schools, Timothy Connors reported that parents would soon be requested by Principals to provide a “Family Plan” as how the school should handle their child should parents be involved in an emergency outside the city. As part of this procedure, principals would be requested to prepare a Principal’s Kit explaining emergency procedures the school would be taking in various emergency situations.
Photo by WPCNR News




GREAT BRITAIN’S TONY BLAIR AND MIDDLE SCHOOL WINGS STUDENTS HEAD TO WASHINGTON: Eastview students leaving for Washington D.C. Wednesday morning. After security and communications procedures were arranged with parents, and consulting with parents, the Middle School proceeded with the scheduled WINGS Trip Wednesday morning.
Photo by WPCNR News


In discussing the matter of school field trips Monday evening, Connors said he felt the District should “continue” field trips, and is doing their “due diligence” in accessing security issues involved on such trips coming up. He said that if the County Executive declared a “Red Alert” field trips would be cancelled by the District. Connor met with Principals Tuesday to discuss field trip issues.

Public Relations Review Coming Up

He reported a public relations consultant has been selected to conduct an audit of district public relations practices and make suggestions for improvement. The contract would be approximately $10,000. He said The Board of Education would be introduced to the person shortly for their consideration.

Review of HIgh School Security Under Way

In another significant action, Mr. Connors said White Plains High School security was being carefully analyzed and talks were going to be held shortly with high school personnel to introduce enhancements beyond the present level of procedures, based on school district analysis of the high school situation.

According to Michelle Schoenfeld, Connors said today that the High School is working on security in two stages. Over the next few weeks they will be addressing the entrances, badges. Later on, there is a possibility of a grant in connection with other security measures under consideration.

About twenty persons attend. One Comment: Why fund Preschool Programs?

An attendance of twenty persons appeared at the hearing, including school district personnel. Board members Donna McLaughlin and William Pollak were not present.

The only public comment was a criticism of the School District decision to include funds to continue Universal and Experimental Pre-Kindergarten. The person noted strongly to the Board that the decision to budget $292,894 to maintain the Universal Pre-K and the Experimental Pre-K programs, which was “a gift to parents” who did not have to pay anything for it. She felt this was wrong in these times of tight budgeting.

Timothy Connors said, “We believe in Preschool, we think it’s something that’s needed.”

Connors added that if the district did not provide funds in the budget for the two programs, and the Governor’s proposal to cut Pre and Universal Kindergarten was not softened or negotiated out of by the legislature, that the program could not be run in White Plains. He said the Board opted to provide for it, just in case the legislature could not persuade Governor Pataki to change his mind on the cuts.

Susan Kirkpatrick said, “This program has a lot of rewards for children down the road. It brings parents in at an early stage and starts parent involvement.”

Outgoing Board member, Dorothy Schere said, “It’s a gift to children. They do a tremendous job with parents. “

Board Member Maria Valentin said, “It’s good for the community in my view.”

Michelle Tratoros said, “It prepares the children for kindergarten, and it received great support at the last (Annual Budget Committee) meeting.”

Havesi moves to soften Blow on NYS School Districts.

Richard Lasselle said Wednesday afternoon that the comptroller’s office and the governor’s office were still in discussions as of Wednesday on the direction State Comptroller Allan Havesi’s proposal would take. Lasselle said according to what the school district has learned of Havesi’s proposal, the White Plains School District could save $600,000 if Havesi’s Fixed Rate Retirement Pay-In Plan was adopted.

Lasselle noted that “we’re hoping to have the figures in place by Monday night in time for the School Board of finalize the budget.”

Mr. Lasselle said he had no information on how “far out in years” the fixed payment of 4-1/2% would go at this time. He said his information from Albany is that 4-1/2% seems to be a “good figure” at this time.

Should the proposal go through, Lasselle reports the White Plains School Budget would lower to $134.6 Million from the currently proposed $135.2 Million and the school tax rate increase lower to 7.3%, or approximately $300 more on $15,000 of accessed valuation.


There was still time for the preliminary budget to go down because State Comptroller, Allan Havesi, has come up with a way to mitigate the burden districts face statewide because of abysmal performance of the New York State employees retirement funds to which the school districts contribute .
Lasselle described Havesi’s proposal which proposed to set a fixed percentage of total salaries that each district would pay into the retirement funds an an annual basis for a period of years. Lasselle said the portfolio performance in the state employees funds was so poor that White Plains payment per $100 of salary went from $1 to $11 accounting for $958,616 more that White Plains has to pay into the retirement fund. That is an increase from $168,500 the district paid in budget year 2002-03.

The 9% increase Lasselle said, under the Havesi proposal would drop to 4-1/2%, and remain constant for a fixed number of years. Lasselle said the rationale is it would be a cushion for the state in bad times as well as good, cushioning districts from the blow of a bad year of investments such as 2002.

Albany still dickering.

However, Lasselle said the legislature and governor have not made up their minds yet on the percentage. Lasselle said the comptroller does not need approval from the legislature to set this policy. He said he expected a decision might be made by next Monday.

In a statement to WPCNR today, Lasselle said a Havesi reprieve dropping the payment to 4-1/2% or approximately would mean a savings in the final budget figure, but he did not know if it would add to the district’s surplus. Next week, he said, the district should find out about how the comptroller is going to go on this solution.



MOVIN’ OUT TO D.C.: The Eastview Middle School WINGS class leaves for Washington, D.C. Wednesday morning. They will tour the Capitol Building and Washington sites in close coordination with the Eastview Central Command.
Photo by WPCNR News

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Lowey Hears It From Chiefs: State Bungles Terror Gear-Up

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. By John F. Bailey. March 24, 2003: Congresswoman Nita Lowey heard from about 150 county officials, fire, police and safety stakeholders Monday morning at a forum she held at Westchester County Community College in Valhalla to determine homeland security needs of first responders. She heard police and fire chiefs and county executives give low marks to the state’s efforts to help the communities equip themselves to deal with chemical and biological terror attacks. Comment after comment indicated the state bureaucracy has failed to deliver equipment promised back in 2001, even when the money was allocated.



LOWEY GETS THE LOWDOWN: Pat Kelly, Commissioner of Emergency Services, for Westchester County makes remarks as Congresswoman Nita Lowey listens. The forum to hear concerns of local police and fire and community officials on First Responders’ needs was held at Westchester Community College today. Kelly said homeland security funds would be better used if granted directly to communities rather than through New York State agencies.
Photo by WPCNR News


We learned from Pat Kelly, County Commissioner of Emergency Services that the state still has not equipped Westchester County fire and police departments with gas masks even though funded to do so. He blamed this on the procurement, accounting, and contracts procedure used by the state.

From Deputy Fire Chief, Chris Kiernan of Yonkers to Police Chief Raymond Kiernan of New Rochelle, to Rockland County Executive Scott Vanderhoef to Town of Greenburgh’s police chief, John Kapica, Ms. Lowey heard disturbing stories of an inept New York State bureaucracy operating with no sense of urgency.

New York State Department of Public Security, according to Pat Kelly, Westchester Emergency Services head, has been asked again and again where gasmasks were for Westchester County first responders. We learned from Chief Kiernan of Yonkers that his HASMET trailers promised Yonkers in 2001 were still not delivered 1-1/2 years later. County Executive Vanderhoef said Rockland County has not received one dime in state aid to help his county gear-up their homeland security efforts

Town of Greenburgh Police Chief John Kapica told Ms. Lowey homeland security money should not be distributed to the state of New York and funneled down, but instead should be given in direct grants to communities who would put it to immediate use.

Fire Chief Raymond Kiernan of New Rochelle said his department had nothing with which to respond to gas or biological attacks, and emphasized to Ms. Lowey that “before we can logically go to Code Orange we need to go to Code Green first.” (money)

When Programs Funded, State Fails to Deliver in Timely Manner. Chiefs say.

However, two instances of homeland security preparedness indicated that even when New York State has funded upgrades, it takes a long time to implement, purchase and deliver the equipment.

The Yonkers Deputy Fire Chief, Chris Kiernan, said his department had been promised HASMET (biological response) trailers by the state, and has been waiting for them since 2001 when they were funded by the state. Tony Sutton, Deputy Commissioner of Emergency Services for Westchester County said the trailers, according to the state were being “outfitted” at the present time, but he had no date of delivery for the trailers from the State Department of Public Safety for the trailers yet. He said he called them a lot on the trailer issue.

Another official asked about the gas masks the state is purchasing for all the counties in the state. Mr. Kelly said those have not been delivered either and did not know when they would be. He said the state was hampered by a low supply of gas masks after the 2001 events, when a run on biological hazards equipment curtailed the supply. Kelly but did not know whether the state had priority purchase preference. He said the masks had been funded about a year ago.

Asked by WPCNR whether Ms. Lowey was going to discuss with Governor Pataki the of the Department of Public Safety efforts to upgrade first responders, Lowey said, “For sure.”

Lowey Distrubed at Equal Distribution of Homeland Security Money.

Representative Lowey in her remarks opening the conference said New York State was scheduled to receive $26.5 Million in homeland security money, only $1.80 per person in the state. She noted that the New York State Emergency Management Office reports to her that that is about 10% of what the state needs. She said since New York City and Washington are primary targets, they should receive more grant money to prepare for the obviously larger risk of attack.

She said, “New York is universally acknowledged to be a top target for terrorism. It’s just wrong to shortchange our first responders. We must distribute federal funds for homeland security based on the threat of terrorist attacks and need, as well as population (homeland security fund formulas rely on population), With limited resources and enormous responsibilities, we must prioritize and be strategic about how we spend federal funds”

Kelly: Filtering Funds down Through Bureaucracy a Mistake.

Pat Kelly, Commissioner of Emergency Services for Westchester County, lead off the concerned speakers with a comment that “as set up now the money goes to the state, then to the counties and the municipalities. That’s three levels. How does it get to the person on the street?”

Kelly remarked that the money would not find its way to local communities with each level of bureaucracy taking its “cut.”

Lowey said, “I agree with you,” and said she thought direct grants to communities similar to the COPS program would be more efficient, cutting the state bureaucracy out of the picture.

Rockland County: Need 2 to 3 times the resources.

The Sheriff of Rockland County said his men needed 2 to 3 times the resources, the men, and the equipment for the county to be able to respond appropriately to terrorism in his county. He said his men and women have no biological protection suits to walk into a bio hazard area, for example. He has the men to respond but they could not.

He called for a Citizen Core Committee of local department chiefs to recommend equipment and training needs.



ROCKLAND COUNTY SPEAKS: Scott Vanderhoef, the Rockland County Executive said the federal government needed to take over protection of Indian Point.
Photo by WPCNR News


Greenburgh Police Chief: problem is Training.

Police Chief John Kapica of Greenburgh said the problem really lies in training as well as the equipment when preparing communities for biological attacks. He said $36,000 was needed to training his force of 114 men, for example.

Feiner has Similar Funding Problem

Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner said that Greenburgh is not alone in not receiving promised financial help for first responders. Feiner, who attended the meeting with Congresswoman Nita Lowey, said that other officials are also complaining that checks in the mail never get received.”

Feiner said that on May 23,2000 Assemblyman Richard Brodsky promised a $30,000 grant to the Greenburgh Uniformed Firefighters Association for remittance to the town to purchase and install the necessary equipment for a Civil Defense Cascade Truck. The truck, which the town purchased in 2000, in cooperation with various town and village fire departments, primarily provides for the refilling of air bottles of firefighters and rescue workers at emergency scenes.

The truck was used in recent Yonkers fires and was unable to be utilized to its potential because of the lack of equipment (due to lack of promised funds). The town relied on these funds. It’s been almost 3 years since the grant was promised but no dollars have been received.

Last year Assemblyman Brodsky increased the grant amount to $50,000. So far, the town has not received a penny of the promised funds.

Rockland Legislator Harriet Cornell complained that Rockland never received decontaminated units –as promised.

More Forums to Come

Lowey said she would hold similar forums with hospital officials and school superintendents in the near future to find out what their needs were from a homeland security preparedness.

County monitors for biological anomalies.

Tony Sutton, Deputy Commissioner for Emergency Services for Westchester County, told WPCNR as the forum was breaking up that the county monitors hospitals daily for any indication of a concentration of persons reporting unusal symptoms. He said the county currently has 100 persons on call, trained and equipped to handle a gas or biological attack situation, with HASMET units based in Yonkers, Valhalla and the Department of Health roving unit.

He also said the county has smallpox vaccine on hand and could acquire more in needed. He also remarked that there are two schools of thought on smallpox vaccination, noting that the vaccine is effective if administered when the symptoms of smallpox first appear.

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Youth Bureau Turns WPHS Teen Angels Into Models for a Day

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WPCNR WHITE PLAINS STYLIN’. March 24, 2003:Fifteen White Plains High School students were “Models for a Day” Friday afternoon in a Fashion Show attended by some 75 persons at The Galleria.The show was sponsored by H & M, the Galleria high fashion clothier with space donated by The Galleria and produced by the White Plains City Youth Bureau.



DOWN THE RUNWAY: White Plains High School teens model fashions from H & M at The third Youth Bureau Fashion Show Friday. Statuesque Judy Ann Parker is shown shashaying down the runway, Latoya Selder is facing the camera.

Photo by WPCNR Paparazzi



MAYOR, YOUTH BUREAU DIRECTOR THANK BERKELEY COLLEGE: Mayor Joseph Delfino, second from left, and Frank Williams, Director of the City’s Youth Bureau, thank Dr. Andrew Bernstein, President of Berkley College, White Plains, right, for Berkeley’s fashion students’ work with the high school models.
Photo by WPCNR Paparazzi


Mayor Joseph Delfino stopped by with Common Councilmembers, Benjamin Boykin, Tom Roach and Robert Greer to watch another successful program of the White Plains City Youth Bureau.

The Dress for Success program is operated by the Bureau in cooperation with Berkeley College in White Plains, where fashion students at Berkeley work with White Plains teens to aid the high school students in considering how to dress for careers in the business world.



ONSTAGE: Patricia Staffiero of the White Plains Youth Bureau, founder of the Dress for Success Program, (holding microphone), introduces the Youth Bureau Supermodels and gives each a rose.
Photo by WPCNR Paparazzi


The program, in its third year was founded and organized by Patricia Staffiero of the Youth Bureau at Eastview School, to introduce city teens to the secrets of dressing for business and ultimate success.

With Radio Shack of The Galleria providing the high tech sound, The Galleria the space on lower level of the downtown shopping mall, a runway was born and model citizens of tomorrow stalked and strutted their new found poise, modeling sophisticated ensembles provided by H & M and Macy’s “Origins.”



MEET THE WHITE PLAINS SUPERMODELS: The Divas and the Dons relax after the show. The Dress for Success program is given every year at the Youth Bureau. They include: Scherett, Junior, Judy Ann, Jackie, Jacqueline, Candy, Consulo, Cece, Arturo, Kevin, Patricia, Nancy, and Latoya. For information on this program contact the Youth Bureau at 422-1378.
Photo by WPCNR Paparazzi

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