WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER SETS RECORD VISITS FOR YEAR 7,017,658 VISITS! 2,098,003 VISITORS MADE 6 VISITS A DAY EVERY DAY. 63,330 UNIQUE VISITORS MADE 133,730 VISITS IN DECEMBER. WPCNR AVERAGED 17,284 VISITORS A WEEK, VISITING 31,270 TIMES.

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By Stephen Taft, Candidate for School Board. May 17, 2004: On the eve of the City School District Vote, Stephen Taft has given WPCNR a response to the White Plains Alliance for Vision in Education endorsement of his opponents Rick Tompkins and Michelle Tratoros. Here is Mr. Taft’s reply:

Dear Steve, René, other members of “WAVE”, and  All Citizens of White Plains,

As you well know, I have lived in White Plains for almost all of my 50 years.  I work from my home and am available on a 24- hour basis for any school-related issues.  For more than 20 years, I have owned my own business and in the course of performing the multitude of tasks necessary to survive and make a profit in my business, I have worked with many different types of people. 

You are taking my comment about not wanting to sit at the same table with the members of the Board of Education totally out of context.  My very next comment was that I would sit down with anyone for the benefit of the children of White Plains. I will strive to achieve the best for all of the children in the White Plains School system, no matter who I work with. 

This is my city.  I returned here to raise my family because I wanted them to have an educational experience that reflected the outside world, in all its diversity.  My children all have good friends coming from many different racial and ethnic groups.  My grandson is a bi-racial product of that philosophy and I could not be more proud of him.  As Harry O. Bright, Jr., the Executive Director of the White Plains Commission on Human Rights for 18 years says, “What we have to remember first is that we are all human beings.”

I graduated from White Plains High School in 1971, probably the darkest year in the school’s history.  We actually had riots in our high school that year, necessitating its closing for several days.  Relationships between the races in White Plains had hit an all time low. 

Although this situation has not reoccurred, many problems remain. There are still enormous disparities between the number of Regent’s Diplomas awarded to white students and minority students as well as in standardized test scores.  In the high school, honors and advanced placement courses contain few non-white students.  This has always been White Plains Schools’ biggest failure. 

Now, as the total number of minority students begin to exceed white students, our schools stand at a crossroad.  There is simply no way our school system as a whole can succeed unless an all out war is fought for the minds of all the children of White Plains, regardless of their color.  All of our children must succeed in school.  I think that this is the real meaning of the “No Child Left Behind”.

I personally dislike the idea of standardized testing.  I think that teaching to a test destroys much of the creativity of the teachers in the classroom.  No tests are infallible.  This was recently demonstrated in the Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics B Regents. All public school children must take these tests though, and they are used for comparing different school systems. This influences all residents of White Plains as reflected in the families who want to move here and the value of our real estate. 

What purpose does it really accomplish to lower the passing grade on the Regents exam for another year? The situation next year will most likely be the same.  I think our answer lies in even more teaching time spent on our most “at risk” students.  Additionally, a task force must be formed to begin lobbying our government that it is simply too much to expect a child who arrives in this country with limited education from their country of origin to pass these rigorous tests so soon after their arrival in the United States.  My heart goes out to all of these students and their teachers who care so much about them, but the answer lies in more time, not in lowering standards.

As a parent, I object to the secrecy of our current School Board.  Although there are valid (legal) reasons for personnel actions to be discussed and implemented in private executive sessions, there is no reason why public opinion on this or any other issue should only be sought after a final vote has been taken.  This makes a fool out of any person with the courage to speak out in public.  It says that citizens’ opinions do not count. 

There is also no reason why a majority vote must prevail on every issue.  Do all seven board members really think and act as one?  Who is representing my concerns and my opinion?  Who is representing my neighbors’?   Since when does the Board of Education always follow the directives of the Superintendent of Schools?  I can understand the concept of not wanting to “micromanage” a CEO, but surely you disagree at times.  The secrecy in which the School Board acts leads to distrust, rumors and paranoia.  It is not a property of a democratic society. 

When I say that I will be the “No!” vote, I mean that my vote will be public whether it is in line with the rest of the Board members or not.  Residents will be urged to email me with their concerns.

My experiences with the Board of Education and the Superintendent of Schools has taught me the futility of complaining to an eight member team that thinks and acts as one, and does not have to account for their actions to anyone.  If elected to the Board of Education, I promise to be the person on that Board who will listen to you, to everyone, I will discuss my thoughts and research on that issue with other Board members, perhaps change my mind, but always vote my conscience.

Respectfully Submitted,

Stephen P. Taft

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I have spoken to the Police Chief. We will be recommending, at the next Town Board meeting (May 26) that the Town prohibit left turns into the station westbound into Mt. Joy Ave. In addition, police are periodically visiting the site and moving cars or issuing tickets. In addition, we’re exploring other options.

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WPCNR White Plains Voice. By J. Matero. May 16, 2004: A White Plains citizen who visits the Renaissance Plaza Fountain writes  CitizeNetReporter about what they perceive as an unsafe situation at the city’s meeting and greeting place at Mamaroneck and Main. They claim children are playing in the fountain, citizens are having water fights, and just unsafe shenanigans are being permitted. Here is their report:

RENAISSANCE PLAZA, 8 A.M. From Starbucks Photo by WPCNR News.

What has happened to our beautiful new fountain?  I was skeptical when I first learned of plans to create a fountain that “danced to music” near City Center last year. Honestly, I felt it was a “Gimmick”.  However, when it finally opened, it became clear that it would soon become one of my favorite places to visit when I venture downtown.  I really love the idea of sitting there, listening to music and watching the water dance.

HOWEVER… things have changed.  First of all… no matter when I an in the new plaza… any day… any time…. the fountains are surrounded by unattended children who climb up the sides, splash water and run on the ledges surrounding each body of water.  In fact, it has become impossible to walk from Starbucks to City Center without being spashed by people throwing water around like they are at a Fun Park.

I went down there Sunday night with a friend and watched as two ADULTS had a water fight… they were at opposing fountains splashing water at each other… then finally drenching both me and my guest.  We yelled at the two responsible but they did not understand English and just laughed at us. We looked at each other and then at the fountains and it looked like the site of an open fire hydrant in the city. Plain and simple.

I have been at the fountain now 3 weekends in a row and EVERY TIME there are unattended children leaning into the fountains prying the stones (which are glued in) off the bottom… and as was the case this morning… THROWING THEM back into the fountain or at eachother.  Last weekend I watched as kids pulled submerged stones up and tossed them into the fountain nozzels causing water to shoot sideways onto the plaza drenching people.  Just walk around every body of water there and you”ll see most stones missing from the fountains and it looks terrible.

Meanwhile, while all of this is going on, I watched as three “Park Rangers” (at least that is what they look like…) either ignored it, hung out in Starbucks or talked on cell phones.

Finally, I do not know who maintains the fountains but there are a number of nozzels… more each week… that are either shooting at an angle, firing with a weak stream or just not firing at all….. and the music at times cannot be heard as the sound goes up and down.

Personally, I think they should erect a simple foot-high fence on the outter fountain walls to keep hands out of there.  If for nothing else, I defy anyone to hang out there on the weekend and not see kids running along the WET walls… somebody is going to fall and break their neck.

I think the fountains are beautiful but something has to be done about the kids (and in some cases ADULTS) splashing, people runing along the walls of the fountain  base and finally making sure the device is working correctly. This should be a place where people can come and enjoy the fountains… not a place where all you hear are people grumbling under their breath about how they do not want to get close for fear of being splashed or slipping on the ground made wet by hands being where they should not be. What can we do about this?

J Matero

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WPCNR WHITE PLAINS VOICE. May 14, 2004: This week the Parking Authority Board Vice Chair called an emergency meeting of the Board on six hours notice. They voted to authorize Carolyn Abramowitz to hire legal counsel to advice the Board on the legal ramifications of the Parking Authority being dissolved and folded into the city budget. Timothy Sheehan, Chairman of the Parking Authority board analyzes the matter:

John,

Your article on the “emergency” Parking Authority meeting, while accurate in some respects, wandered astray in others.  For anyone to characterize the non-attendance of three Board members to a meeting called ON SIX HOURS NOTICE where it was agreed by a majority of the members not to meet as a “boycott” is inaccurate.  From the full story, however, you can certainly draw your own conclusions as to what occurred.

Over this past weekend I was advised by the Board’s Vice Chairperson that she wanted to call a special meeting for Wednesday (5/12) to discuss the draft report (which advocated a City takeover of parking operations) and potentially to hire outside counsel. I informed her that I was busy on Wednesday with family obligations and in any event, I thought a meeting was premature, since the City had not formally requested that our Board do anything.  More importantly, we had a regularly scheduled meeting already set up for the following Monday (5/17) at which we planned to discuss the City’s requests – which were supposed to be delivered to us in the interim.  I maintained that here was no point in meeting to discuss that which we did not have, that it was unprofessional and insulting to second guess Corporation counsel’s legal reasoning before even seeing it and that calling such a meeting could negatively effect morale of the PA employees.  For these reasons, I asked the Vice chairperson not to have this extra meeting.

Nonetheless, on Monday (5/10) I advised the City’s Executive officer, George Gretsas, that some members were antsy and wanted to meet on Wednesday.  George indicated that the administration staff would not have any materials ready for us by then. I told George that Frank Cantatore, Carl Perri and I had personal commitments that made Wednesday a bad day to meet and we also agreed that there was no reason to meet before our regularly scheduled meeting.  George then proceeded to call the remaining 4 members to request, on behalf of the Mayor, that they not meet on Wednesday and that they wait for materials to be prepared and distributed to the Board and for City officials to meet with them on Monday night, 5/17.  The result of these calls as reported to me was that one additional member agreed that the Wednesday special meeting should be held off and that the board would wait until Monday to meet. Thus, as of Tuesday (5/11) I was advised that there were not enough members to constitute a quorum and as far as I was concerned, the special meeting was not happening.

However, to ensure that City Hall was advised as to what specifically we needed in order to intelligently discuss the issue at our regularly scheduled Monday meeting, I prepared a letter which was hand delivered on Wednesday morning (5/12) to the Mayor and the PA Board members (at their homes) outlining what was needed.  This letter would not have been written or delivered if I thought that a special meeting would occur in the interim.  Two hours later (11:30 am) I received a call from the PA office that the Vice Chairperson was calling an emergency meeting (which can be done by phone on 6 hours notice) for 6:30 p.m. that night. As I had a track meet, two soccer practices and a concert to attend from 4-8 p.m. that night involving my 3 children, I called the PA back and reminded them that I couldn’t make the meeting. However, I asked the Executive Director of the PA to advise me during the day if enough members called to advise of their intended attendance.  Because of a late afternoon thundershower, certain outdoor events were cancelled and I did have a moment to drop by the PA office (still no clear tally known on whether a quorum would show) around 5:15 p.m. and help the Executive Director prepare the agenda in the event that a quorum appeared.   I next communicated with a Mayoral aide at 6:42 p.m., who advised that a quorum appeared – including an individual who apparently changed their previously promised position that they would wait until Monday to meet – and that within 10 minutes, the meeting was over and a law firm (possibly mine) had been “hired”.  Nonetheless, I kept my family commitment and attended my son’s concert, rather than charge in after the fact and confront a group of people that had already acted, in my estimation, in a most unprofessional manner.

Your assertion that I could have stopped a possibly illegal, probably improper and certainly disrespectful action of the PA Board by attending this meeting ignores the reality that four members were intent on pursuing this course of action.  Had I stopped their actions on Wednesday because of a notice defect, these same four members could have called another meeting for the very next day and done the deed.  Amazingly, you have failed to report on the central unanswered question of this debacle: why did the board need to meet on Wednesday, why didn’t they check out the propriety of their actions with Corp counsel before acting, why could they not wait to read what the City was asking us to consider and the documentation (including a Corp counsel opinion) that would accompany it? Why could they not wait for the full complement of Board members (we never hold meetings without ensuring that everyone can make it) who would be at the regular meeting on 5/17 to discuss their ill-advised plans?

You article also sidesteps the next crucial question — is this decision legal, ethical or proper? – by jumping to discussions about “Chinese walls” and/or one of my firms other clients (such as the NYPH).  These arguments are off the mark and put the (not one but two) carts before the horse. Before thinking about walls and conflicts of voting members, you must first ask if it is permissible for a government agency to enter into a contract with the employer of one it it’s members.  For instance one of our members is a contractor/developer – would it be right to ask that his firm construct a PA garage?  Another works in a men’s clothing department for a local retail establishment – would it be right to award a contract to make all PA uniforms from that company? . In the case of a Common Council member, the City charter absolutely forbids that practice.  If my firm had a contract to do work with the City I could not be a Councilman, or if I was a Councilman the City could not hire my law firm.  I believe that the PA Board — performing municipal functions– should be no different. It is improper for the Board to hire the firm or business of any of our Board members. Indeed, Corp Counsel seems to think that this action violates the charter (and his prerogative to approve all hiring of outside counsel) or Ethics law — why didn’t these people check with him before doing this? At any rate, whether this action ultimately violates such statutes or not, it still fails the SMELL test.  Why would anyone not see how bad this looks?

You cannot excuse this probable legal/ethical/smell violation by talking about “Chinese walls,” which is a device used by a law firm that can legally take client “A’s” business but such retainer could violate that firms ethical responsibilities to client “B”. The answer — if Clients “A” and “B” are notified and agree — can be the construction of an information “wall” to prevent compromise. However, if the assignment cannot be legally made in the first place, as is the case here, you never reach the question of whether a “wall” can be constructed. Here, the assignment from the PA is either illegal, unethical or fails the smell test so the Board should not have voted to send it to the law firm of which I am a member.

Your reference to one of my firm’s other clients is similarly off the mark. That situation involves an assessment by a Council or Board member of an upcoming vote that he may not ethically be capable of casting — including for reasons such as a connection to a client or entity that is about to appear before the Board. That board member — IF HE/SHE WANTS TO VOTE — may contact the ethics board for an opinion as to whether disclosure alone of the conflict (if minimal) or disclosure and recusal from voting (if serious) is in order. It has nothing to do with “Chinese Walls”, nothing to do with any of my firm’s other clients, and nothing to do with the PA Board’s ill advised retention SINCE I WAS NOT PRESENT FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING AND EVEN IF I WAS PRESENT, I WOULD HAVE ABSTAINED FROM VOTING on this retention.

Instead, you should have focused on the attendees of the meeting and ascertained their motivations and their long term game plan (and likely effects) from this disrespectful and ill smelling, if not illegal action. Why did these people “jump the gun” and act before they saw an official request (and the legal rationale for same) from the City and without checking with Corp Counsel about the propriety of their actions?  Ask if an unspoken agenda is at work:  are appointed — not elected — officials seeking to undo the will of elected officials? And try not to shoot the members who have attempted to act professionally and calmly, as opposed to others who have acted impulsively, fueled a sense of panic and have caused a perception – intended or not – that our mission and the welfare of employees are to be treated like toys in a political sandbox.

Tim Sheehan

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WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. Special From Cappelli Enterprises. (Edited)  May 14, 2004: In a news release this afternoon, Cappelli Enterprises announced Donald Trump was joining Louis Cappelli in a joint venture by becoming a partner in the “luxury condominium tower” now to be known as Trump Tower at City Center.

GIVE ME A T: Donald J. Trump, described as the best know residential developer in the country has purchased a stake in the City Center South Tower, show rising last Friday, below the giant construction crane at left. The yellow walled structure below One City Place (the North Tower) is the New York Sports Club exterior atop the City Center garage. Photo by WPCNR News

Mr. Trump’s involvement in the project includes the development, sales and management of the building when it is completed.  The financial terms of the partnership were not disclosed.

The 35-story tower will feature 212 luxury condominium residences and will be ready for summer 2005 occupancy.  Construction on the tower, that has been redesigned by Manhattan architect Costas Kondylis, the designer of many of Mr. Trump’s residential towers in Manhattan, has now reached the 16^th floor. 

“This is a very exciting moment, not only for City Center, but for White Plains and Westchester County,” Mr. Cappelli said.  “Donald J. Trump is without question the best known name in ultra-luxury residential real estate today.  The Trump Organization signifies a style of living that is of the highest quality, offering an unparalleled level of sophistication and services.  To have the Trump name directly associated with City Center immeasurably enhances the entire project, and is a huge asset.  Not only is Donald J. Trump the most prominent residential developer in Manhattan, he is in other prestige areas such as Palm Beach, as well.  He also has the highest rated program on television with “The Apprentice.”

Commenting on his new roll at City Center, Mr. Trump observed, “The location and architecture of Trump Tower at City Center is top of the line.  Working with Louis Cappelli, a friend of mine for many years, is a great honor.  Lou and I understand quality – and that is what we are bringing to Trump Tower at City Center,” he said.  Photo by Photorazzi.

Mr. Trump added that he is optimistic about the new building’s impact on the market.  “Trump Tower at City Center will not only attract the highest level of Westchester purchasers, but will also attract purchasers looking for an alternative to living in Manhattan.”

While City Center will mark Mr. Trump’s first entry into Westchester’s emerging high-rise luxury residential market, he already is an established player in the county’s luxury housing market with The Residences at Trump National Golf Club in Briarcliff Manor.  This project includes golf villas starting at $2 million and Grand Condominium residences starting at $1 million and going all the way up to $10 million — all set on his new Trump National Golf Course.

 “Trump National in Briarcliff has been a tremendous success,” Mr. Trump said.  “We created a world-class golf course and The Residences have set a new standard for luxury golf course living in Westchester.  With Trump Tower at City Center we see the opportunity to repeat our past successes with this exciting new high-rise venture in a truly dynamic city.  I would not be surprised if many of our purchasers at Trump Tower join Trump National.”

He noted that the City of White Plains has made enormous strides over the last two years, and is now seen as a model for small city revitalization nationwide.  “This is a community that has rapidly established itself as a leader in creating an ideal downtown for working, living and entertainment.  I look forward to having Trump Tower at City Center become an integral part of the ongoing renaissance.”       

For Mr. Cappelli, the partnership with the Trump Organization comes on the heels of his April announcement that JP Morgan Fleming, a subsidiary of financial giant JP Morgan Chase, has invested $105 million in One City Place, the 35-story luxury rental apartment tower at City Center.  One City Place includes 311 apartments that are now being occupied as the finishing touches are completed on the upper floors of the tower.

“To now have Donald J. Trump demonstrate an interest in the City of White Plains soon after JP Morgan came on board, makes an incredibly dramatic statement about White Plains,” Mr. Cappelli said.

He added that the foresight and leadership of Mayor Joseph Delfino and the City’s Common Council have made it possible for White Plains to emerge from a development cocoon that had shrouded it for more than 10 years.  “The elected leadership of White Plains knew it was time for the City to move out of the doldrums, and the prompt approval of City Center, it is safe to say, has served as the catalyst for redevelopment throughout the downtown.

Commenting on the new partnership, White Plains Mayor Joseph Delfino noted, “The Cappelli name is a proven entity in Westchester County, and the Trump name is a proven entity in world-class residential development.  This is an ideal combination of talent, knowledge, ability and reputation that will serve our City well.”

Cappelli and Trump have put together a team with extensive experience and proven track record in the construction and marketing of luxury high-rise residences. 

The Marketing Directors, Inc. has been named exclusive marketing and sales agent for Trump Tower at City Center.  According to Adrienne Albert, President of The Marketing Directors, “Having worked with Donald J. Trump at Trump Place in Manhattan, and Louis Cappelli at City Center, we are delighted to be part of this collaboration.”

HRH Construction of New York City will serve as construction manager for the 35-story tower and will be responsible for complete construction oversight.  HRH has a long-standing relationship with both Cappelli and Trump in providing construction management services on a number of their individual projects. 

In addition to the two luxury residential towers, City Center includes an intimate Loft condominium with 29 homes and 450,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and entertainment space that is nearly fully leased.  Among the prominent tenants are Target, Circuit City, Filene’s Basement, Barnes & Noble, Office Max, a 15-screen National Amusements multiplex, New York Sports Clubs, Legal Seafoods, Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar and The Atlanta Bread Company.  Additionally, it includes the 450-seat White Plains Performing Arts Center.

“City Center provides the ideal combination of luxury residential living with retail, restaurant and entertainment components that create a dynamic environment for residents and visitors alike,” Mr. Cappelli said.  “Combined with the new Renaissance Square development and the many other new additions to White Plains such as Fortunoff, the Mills Company’s acquisition of The Galleria mall and the many new residential buildings, such as Bank Street Commons, Clayton Park, and JPI, all of the ingredients are in place to keep White Plains a genuine prestige address for many years to come.  Trump Tower at City Center certainly will add to the excitement.”