WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER 3,826,065 VISITS IN ONE YEAR---73,578 VISITS A WEEK BY 1,111,506 VISITORS | White Plains Daily News Service Since 2000 A.D. "24th YEAR DAILY COVERAGE OF WHITE PLAINS NY USA. John F. Bailey, Editor (914) 997-1607 wpcnr@aol.com Cell: 914-673-4054. (WE ALWAYS CALL YOU BACK.) News Politics Personalities Neighborhoods Schools Finance Real Estate Commentary Reviews Policy Correspondence Poetry Philosophy Photojournalism Arts. The WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER. TELEVISION: "White Plains Week" News Roundup, 7:30 EDT FRI, 7 EDT MON & the incisive "People to Be Heard" Interview Program 8PM EDT THURS, 7 PM EDT SAT on FIOS CH 45 THROUGHOUT WESTCHESTER AND, ALTICE OPTIMUM WHITE PLAINS CH 76 "Fighting for Truth, Justice and the American Way." EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT! VOICE AND CHOICE OF WHITE PLAINS, WESTCHESTER AND THE WORLD FOR 23 YEARS. AND YOU CAN READ THE TYPE! ADVERTISE WHERE THE EYES AND THINKERS ARE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD! IN MARCH TOP 10 VISITOR COUNTRIESl 1. USA 8,327 2. CHINA 3,590 3.IRELAND 1,018 4 GERMANY 933 5 RUSSIA 426 6 ISRAEL 366 7. CANADA 268 8 FRANCE 243 9 UNITED KINGDOM 240 10. NORWAY 216 (RATINGS SOURCE WORDPRESS ROBOT FREE)) THE NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT THEY DON'T TELL YOU! LOOK FOR THE FEDORA! 232 VISITORS TODAY AS OF 9 AM, 812 VISITS 494 YESTERDAY MADE 1,547 VISITS; 3,653 THE LAST WEEK MAKING 16.967 VISITS; 29.054 VISITORS IN LAST MONTH MALINGING 90,874 VISITS.

Police, Fire Departments United Approach Lowers Crime 13.8%; Prepares City

Posted on September 25, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. By John F. Bailey. September 25, 2003: Mayor Joseph Delfino praised his Public Safety Department today for lowering the city crime rate 13.8% in one year, making the city safer, and reorganizing to meet future city threats and concerns, including terrorism.

Mayor Delfino Salutes the Fire and Police Bureaus: The Mayor said, “I want to commend…commend the personnel of both bureaus for doing an exceptional job…the visitors who come here (to our city) come here because they feel safe here.” Photo by WPCNR News

The occasion was a news conference in which the Public Safety Department released its Annual Report on operations and took the opportunity to display equipment the police and fire departments are now using to police better and prevent and fight fires efficiently.

Commissioner of Public Safety Dr. Frank Straub said the new department’s unified approach where police and fire bureaus work cooperatively and share a united “incident command” had significantly improved relations between the two bureaus and the department ability to handle incidents. Photo by WPCNR News

The Mayor detailed how he challenged Dr. Straub to address Speeding, Quality of Life violations, Unsafe Housing, Community Policing and Domestic Preparedness.

He noted that in the 2002-03 fiscal year, police resources were redeployed to increase patrols 26.4% resulting in arrests increasing 7.8%, with Quality of Life arrests increased 35.8%, reducing overall crime 13.8%. The Mayor noted the city had a low crime rate to begin the year, and to reduce it that much was “remarkable.” A chart displayed reported that narcotics, gambling and prostitution arrests by the Vice Unit quadrupled over the past fiscal year.

NEW EQUIPMENT: White Plains Police Officer Pat Riley demonstrates a Heat Sensor which WPPD have used to capture burglary suspects hiding along the railway tracks recently. He said the device is also used by the Fire Bureau to locate persons in smoke-filled situations. Deputy Fire Chief Charles Reidy said the heat sensor device was used most recently in the Bet Am Shalom fire to locate quickly the extent of the hidden fire, leading to the saving of the temple’s sanctuary. Photo by WPCNR News.

HEAT SENSOR PICKS UP BODY HEAT, shows image of human body on a screen for police or fire rescuers to locate persons hiding or trapped in an emergency situation. Photo by WPCNR News.

Domestic Preparedness.

Commissioner Straub reported that in the past year both police and fire personnel had been trained in responding to Chemical or Biological attacks, in addition to police receiving training in handling radiological threats in Nevada. He said the Fire Bureau had received hazardous materials training, with the police department purchasing 36 bio-suits, one of which was on display, to enable police personnel to enter biologically infected areas.

In the future he said there are plans to conduct joint exercises with the Naval War College, and to purchase a Fire Rescue & Police Emergency Services Truck capable of replenishing oxygen tanks on the scene as well other advantages.

BULLETPROOF VESTS capable of stopping automatic weapon fire, rifle bullets and stabbing attempts are now standard for the new WPPD 26-person Special Response Team. Detective Ed Fisher, center, and Police officer Riley are about to demonstrate the shield for Councilman Glen Hockley, left. Photo by WPCNR News

Safe Streets

Mayor Delfino told the media the Operation Safe Streets program began in April 2003 had issued 17,298 summons an increase of 31%. Of that total speeding summonses were up 35%, seatbelt summons up 75%, and cellphone summonses up 132%.

Fires Inspections up.

The city’s chief executive reported that the Fire Bureau had dramatically increased its inspections of city buildings and dwellings. He said on-site inspections were up 15.8%, follow-up inspections up 18.2%, and there were 10.3% more violations discovered. Building site plan reviews went up 29.3%, public education talks rose 13.5% and voluntary consultations sought by the community, businesses, homes, restaurants increased 800%.

NEW PERSONNEL DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM soon to be online in Fire Department: Deputy Fire Chief, Charles Reidy explained the new identification system for keeping track of fire fighters on the scene of a fire and where each unit and man is on a fire scene. The system, much like a baseball magnet lineup board, enables the on-the-scene commander to know where his units are assigned in a fire scene, and to account for any missing men and women immediately. The system may begin operating this week. The idea came from Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety, Charles Jennings, who came across the concept while doing a consulting assignment with the city of Seattle, Washington. Photo by WPCNR News

Mayor Delfino said that restaurants in the city, “all places of public assembly,” had cooperated 100% with the Fire Prevention Bureau program requiring a fire and safety evacuation plan.

The Mayor cited over significant changes in the department which included appointment of a Community Affairs officer, a Middle School Resource Officer, and the establishment of a Safe Housing Task Force.

Red Cross Blood in White Plains October 3

Posted on September 24, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR Health Herald. From Gina Faustner. September 25, 2003: The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive in White Plains on Friday, October 3rd at the American Red Cross in Westchester from 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. at Red Cross headquarters, located at 106 North Broadway in White Plains.

County Safety Commissioner Tackles Westchester Bank Robberies

Posted on September 24, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Westchester County Department of Communications (Edited) September 24, 2003: A recent rash of bank robberies in Westchester has prompted the county’s new Commissioner of Public Safety to propose a crime-fighting partnership with police and banks to help prevent robberies and protect the public and bank employees.

Commissioner Thomas Belfiore said part of that strategy is to make it harder to rob banks and easier to catch robbers.

“There has been an alarming increase in the number of bank robberies, and we believe that this strategy will help the banking community deter these crimes. We are also offering some suggestions on how bank employees can provide better and more timely information to help law enforcement with their investigations,’’ said Belfiore.

Following a sensational string of summer bank robberies, Westchester joins communities nationwide that are experiencing an increase in bank robberies. In 2003, bank robberies increased 17 percent nationwide, and 233% in New York City. In Westchester, there were four bank robberies in 2002 compared with 15 to date in 2003 — a nearly 400% increase.

Belfiore wrote six banks suggesting a series of steps they can take to discourage attempted robberies and catch them faster.Belfiore recommended that banks develop a training program for employees as well as create policy on what actions should be taken in the event of a robbery. Banks contacted include CitiBank, JP Morgan Chase, M&T Bank, Bank of New York, Wachovia and HSBC. The Department of Public Safety is in the process of setting up meetings with bank officials.

In the letter, Belfiore recommended that banks:

Provide direct branch telephone numbers to local police and the department of public safety to speed communication in the event of a robbery.

Train employees to trigger alarms and security cameras before suspects leave the bank and call 911 immediately to provide a detailed description of the robbers and the direction of flight.

Limit the amount of currency given. Whenever possible tellers should retain the demand note and minimize contamination of the evidence and crime scene.

Employ security guards, customer service representatives or greeters to address customers as they enter the bank. This practice has been found to deter robberies at some banking institutions.

Establish a cross-institutional e-mail network so banks can communicate electronically about robberies and exchange suspect information.

Check video surveillance systems to ensure proper camera alignment and change film regularly. Consider upgrading video quality. Review bank lighting to make sure it does not interfere with video recording. Make sure at least one camera is located at each entrance and install height markers at all doorways so police can get an estimate of perpetrators’ height.

Place signs prominently indicating that customers will be photographed.

Review floor plans to ensure employee views are unobstructed.

“While the banks may be concerned about the loss of money, I am particularly concerned about protecting the bank employees and the customers,’’ said County Executive Andy Spano. “If we can help employees become more aware of steps they can take to prevent robberies, everyone will be a lot safer.’’

White Plains Hospital Medical Center Can Handle St. Agnes Patient Load

Posted on September 24, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR STREETS OF WHITE PLAINS. September 23, 2003: A spokesman for White Plains Hospital Medical Center said Tuesday, that the WPHMC has geared up to handle the migration of patients who normally would be serviced by St. Agnes Hospital when that facility closes October 10. The White Plains hospital has been expecting it, he said, and expects no problem.

Geoffrey Thompson, speaking for White Plains Hospital Medical Center in a statement said, “They expect to get 5 to 7 additional inpatients per day, 7 to 10 additional emergency room patients per day. They’re very comfortable with those levels of increase, as a result of the St. Agnes closing, and don’t anticipate any problem in handling that. They’ve been anticipating something like this could happen and so that they’re really ready for it, and should be able to easily accommodate that increase in the number of patients.”

Council OK’s 15 year Pilot for So. Kensico Affordable Housing.

Posted on September 24, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey. September 24, 2003: The Common Council gave its blessing Wednesday morning to a 15-year Payment In Lieu of Taxes plan for former Councilman Bill Brown’s affordable senior housing project he plans to build on South Kensico Avenue. The extended PILOT, originally for ten years, was created to comply partially with the Federal Housing Administration request for a longer PILOT that endured for the length of the bond on the project (25 years). The new PILOT will be submitted to the F.H.A. to consider today.

Mr. Brown said the project needs F.H.A. approval of the city’s 15-year “compromise” PILOT plan hammered out between Mr. Brown, his partner, and City Corporation Counsel Edward Dunphy and City Accessor Eydie McCarthy. Brown said if the F.H.A. approves the PILOT, he hopes to begin construction on the South Kensico project within the next three months. The letter detailing the PILOT was to go to the Federal Housing Administration this evening, according to Mr. Dunphy.

The meeting convened at approximately 8:10 A.M. Wednesday morning with Joseph Carlucci of the law firm of Cuddy, Feder, Worby explaining to the Council why the new PILOT was needed. He said the F.H.A. had requested a 25 year PILOT to finance the project, instead of the 10-year PILOT originally drawn up for the project with the city.

Carlucci said the city was willing to make a compromise of a 15-year PILOT under several conditions.

In the first two years of the PILOT, he said, the city agreed to a payment reflecting the site on South Kensico as “vacant land,” but the city required a larger payment in the third year of the project, 2006 when the project would be leasing up. Details of the PILOT agreement are not being made available to the media until after the Federal Housing Adminstration has ruled upon it.

Previously, the City Accessor was requesting PILOT payments of over $4,000 a month, and after discussion last month this was eased to a payment Mr. Brown’s organization can live with, which has been hammered out according to Mr. Brown. Asked why he felt it had been such a struggle, Brown said he felt it was more a matter of the city attempting to appear to be “fair” in setting PILOT agreements to other property owners.

Another condition of the 15-year PILOT is that the project has to be totally affordable housing for the life of the bond and even when sold. Mr. Carlucci advised the Common Council that all apartments would only be made available to families or persons earning less than 60% of median income. Brown said in the year the project has been going through approvals, median income in Westchester County has gone from $89,000 a year to $93,000 a year.

Taking 60% of $93,000, this gives you a figure of $55,800, as the income ceiling. Brown said the PILOT was figured on $91,000 as median income, giving the top income earned by a person renting one of these apartments could only reach $54,600 annually, a difference of $1,200, or $100 a month.

Councilman Saves A Life on Way to City Hall

Posted on September 24, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. By John F. Bailey. September 24, 2003 UPDATED, September 25, 2003 10:30 P.M.: It was a routine morning for Councilman Glen Hockley. He was driving down Longview Avenue between 7:30 and 8 o’clock Wednesday morning in his light blue Volvo station wagon, when he noticed a woman he knew holding her throat and appearing to be choking on the side walk. He recognized her as Rosalind Keyes, a resident of Winbrook. Within minutes, Mr. Hockley took a hand and did God’s work. He got her into his car and whisked her two long blocks to White Plains Hospital Medical Center. It saved her life.

Councilman Hockley said he visited Ms. Keyes and found that she had apparently been suffering from pneumonia which had congested her lungs to where she could not breath. He said she was O.K. today, and being treated for the illness.

Councilman Glen Hockley

WPCNR File Photo

WPCNR learned about Mr. Hockley’s stepping up to the plate because he arrived late for the special session of the Common Council scheduled for 8 A.M. Wednesday morning.

Mr. Hockley said that Ms. Keyes could not stop choking, and as he helped her into his car, she went into convulsions. He immediately sped to White Plains Hospital Medical Center with Ms. Keyes experiencing seizure and convulsive symptoms, gagging and loss of breath, according to Mr. Hockley.

He said he drove into the White Plains Hospital emergency room parking lot and was met by about 10 emergency room personnel. They at first thought Ms. Keyes was dead, he said, and could not find a pulse.

“They immediately started working on her,” Hockley reports, “and I heard them cry we’ve got her pulse back. I tell you I am really shaken up over this.”

What was a routine morning turned into an event that brought Mr. Hockley together with Ms. Keyes at the moment she needed someone to help. And Mr. Hockley did. Hockley said she appeared to be o.k., when he left the emergency room to head for City Hall. He praised the emergency room workers who instantly moved to his and Ms. Keyes’ aid before a paper form was signed.

“Someone asked me why I didn’t call 911,” Hockley told WPCNR in the City Hall rotunda, “but there was no time. I didn’t think to do that. I had to get her to the hospital.”

Democrats Nominate White Plains’ Own JoAnn Friia for Supreme Court

Posted on September 23, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR WHITE PLAINS LAW JOURNAL. From Westchester County Democratic Committee. September 23, 2003: Hudson Valley Democrats from five counties met in convention last Thursday, September 18th in White Plains to select three candidates to run for seats on the State Supreme Court – 9th Judicial District in this November’s election. The three candidates are all women, and all sitting judges: Orange County Family Court Judge Debra Kiedaisch, Senior White Plains City Judge JoAnn Friia and Mount Vernon City Judge Colleen Duffy.

“The people of the Hudson Valley would be well-served by electing these outstanding judges”, noted Susan Spear, Putnam County Democratic Chair. The 9th Judicial District covers the five counties of Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Orange and Rockland. No incumbent Supreme Court judges are running.

Judge Kiedaisch was elected in 1995 and was the first countywide Democratic judge elected in Orange County in over half a century. Judge Friia, who ran for the State Supreme Court in 2001, has a strong base in her native White Plains and across Westchester County, the largest County population base in the region. Judge Duffy has been elected as City Judge in Mt. Vernon, and previously held elected office as a City Councilwoman in that community of 70,000 in Westchester.

Democrats hailed the team as an historic first. “Democrats are proud to present qualified jurists who are women – who are worthy of election to the State Supreme Court” said Joseph Ruggiero, Dutchess County Democratic Chairman.

Delegates were elected to the judicial convention, chaired by Westchester County Democratic Chairman George Latimer, from the various Assembly Districts of the five-county region, and voted unanimously for the ticket. “This is a talented and able group of women”, cited Jonathan Jacobson, Orange County Democratic Chairman, “and they bring tremendous courtroom experience to this race. We’re confident they will be successful”.

KING KOMMENTS: City Should Bond to Save St. Agnes Hospital

Posted on September 23, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR KING KOMMENTS. By White Plains Councilman William King. September 23, 2003: Councilman WilIiam King, entering his last three months as a member of the Common Council submits a proposal that would save St. Agnes Hospital. Here is his plan:

Councilman William King

I would like to submit a proposal to bond for $25m for the St. Agnes property if NYPH will agree to exchange their southern 100 acres for St. Agnes. The proposal would hinge on several things:

a. NYPH’s willingness to allow the City of White Plains to run a park on the southern 100 acres for at least 100 years;
b. The State Dormitory Authority, which St. Agnes owes $36m, to forgive the other $11m they are owed;
c. St. Agnes/Westchester Medical’s willingness to permit redevelopment of their property for biotech research and the proton beam accelerator proposed by NYPH;
d. White Plains Common Council and state legislature/governor’s approval.

The main hospital buildings on the St. Agnes campus could remain and continue to serve in- and out-patient functions and lodging for those patients and their families who have come for pba treatment as well as other general medical patients.

The 100 acres could be used for all types of uses, passive and active, and could be used as unmatched space for summer day camps. Buildings remaining along the southern end of the historic oval could be used for needed indoor activity space during inclement weather.

The County and Federal Government would be invited to help the City with bonding and grants. County and City sales tax revenues from the new Fortunoff’s and City Center could be used to pay off the bonds.

I ask that NYPH and the city administration not reject this proposal out of hand as has been done in the past.

The example right across the street from NYPH of Fortunoff’s redeveloping an existing vacant site(vacant Saks store) is analogous to the opportunity of redeveloping the St. Agnes property where significant parts of that property will soon be closed on top of other parts of the site which are significantly underutilized.

The proximity of biotech research activity at St. Agnes to the former Kraft General Foods office space across North Street may also help to stimulate related, safe medically-related usages and leaseup of that building complex.

Councilman William King

White Plains Varsity Boys Girls X-ers Sweep a Meet

Posted on September 23, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR PRESS BOX. By John F. Bailey. September 23, 2003: The White Plains Varsity Cross Country Boys and Girls teams swept a meet for the first time this fall season, with Tiger runners taking 5 of the first 11 places in the boys-girls varsity meets. The Varsity Boys were lead by their 1-2 punch of Mike Smayda and Jeff Bergman who finished first and second to set the pace. The Varsity girls’ win was paced by eighth grader, “K.K.” Kaylin Gilmartin-Donohue, who won her fifth straight Varsity race, with Tamiko Young and Juliana Bailey placing fourth and fifth.

THE 1-2 PUNCH IN THE FLUSH OF VICTORY: Mike Smayda right, has just finished first in Tuesday’s Varsity Boys Cross Country meet, and his running mate, Jeff Bergman, left was right on his spikes to pace the Tiger Boys-Girls sweep. It was Smayda’s 4th win in 5 meets. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

“K.K.” RIDES AGAIN: White Plains ethereal runner, Kaylin Gilmartin-Donohue crosses the finish line for her Fifth First in a row in Varsity Girls meets she has competed. Coach Fred Singleton, upper left looks down the Westchester Community College course. Photo by WPCNR Sports

KEEPING PACE STRIDE FOR STRIDE: Tamiko Young, right, and Juliana Bailey took 4th and 5th place in the top 11 placers in both meets, clinching the Tiger X-ers first double sweep of the season of a boys-girls varsity meet. Tamiko finished fourth and Juliana fifth, with “K.K.” Gilmartin-Donohue taking first to clinch the Girls Varsity event, the varsity girls first win of the year. Photo by WPCNR Sports

Creeping Quo Warranto Case in Brooklyn: Hockley Delgado Motion to Dismiss Heard

Posted on September 23, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR WHITE PLAINS LAW JOURNAL. September 23, 2003: The saga of the Glen Hockley-Larry Delgado jammed voting machine election of 2001 has not ended. It continues with a court shelf life of its own. It resumed last Thursday in the Appellate Division, 2^nd Circuit in Brooklyn when arguments were heard by Appellate judges in the move by Glen Hockley’s attorney, Thomas Abinanti, to dismiss the New York State Attorney General’s quo warranto action on behalf of former White Plains Councilman Larry Delgado, as having not been filed in a timely manner, and should be dismissed.

STILL GOING: The Day of Victory, March 14, 2002: When the Court of Appeals dismissed Judge Francis Nicolai’s and the Appellate Court’s call for a special election city wide as a remedy for the disputed 2001 election result due to a jammed voting machine in White Plains District 18, Glen Hockley, (left), with his attorney, Adam Bradley, was sworn in to the Common Council. Seven months later, in November 2002, the New York Attorney General’s Office after an investigation, filed a quo warranto action in November on Mr. Delgado’s behalf. After a series of motions to dismiss the quo warranto were filed, the case was put on the Appellate Division Calendar in late April, 2003. Last week, after Mr. Hockley has been in office 17 months, the motion to dismiss based on the quo warranto being filed too late was argued before the Appellate Court. WPCNR File Photo

Jeffery Binder, present Republican Candidate for Common Council, and attorney for Mr. Delgado with John Ciampoli throughout the Hockley-Delgado climb to the Court of Appeals, observed the action. Joel Graber argued for the Attorney General. Thomas Abinanti for Mr. Hockley’s side.

Binder said “It went very nicely. The court was somewhat unsympathetic towards Hockley’s case, judging by the tough questions they asked. They were very questioning of Mr. Abinanti’s argument that election disputes should be resolved in a short time frame. The court suggested why couldn’t it (the time to resolve the dispute) run to the end of the term of the office.”

Binder said he was optimistic, but “you never know.” He said he expected the Appellate Division to rule shortly. When asked why he thought the Hockley-Delgado matter had not been expedited on the Appellate Court calendar, Binder said he thought that it was because White Plains was not being deprived of representation since Hockley was in office.

Asked what might happen, Binder said that in either case, one side would appeal the Appellate Court decision and it would move back up to the Court of Appeals, which should be interested to see the case again.

THE PHANTOM COUNCILMAN: Larry Delgado addressing the White Plains Common Council where he used to sit. Delgado has been battling for 21 months to get his seat back by seeking a “remedy” for the jammed voting machine incident which cost him 103 votes in District 18. Those 103 votes would have given him the victory in 2001 had the machine not jammed, failing to record them. File Photo by WPCNR.