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WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. May 18, 2004: The Fort Lauderdale City Commission meets today in “The Venice of America,” and according to their agenda will discuss the City Manager position, for which White Plains’ Executive Officer, George Gretsas, is a finalist.
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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. May 18, 2004: The 2004 School Budget and School Board Elections will take place today at six polling places around the city, in which residents will either approve or decline the proposed $143.9 Million School Budget, and choose between Stephen Taft, Rick Tompkins, and Michelle Tratoros to fill two seats on the White Plains Board of Education. Residents in District 1 vote at Battle Hill Station # 5; District 2 at Church Street School; District 3, Rochambeau School; District 4, Highlands Middle School; District 5, Mamaroneck Avenue School, and District 6, Ridgeway School.
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WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. By John F. Bailey. May 5, 2004, UPDATED 8:45 P.M. E.D.T.: The Mayor’s Executive Officer, George Gretsas, confirmed today that though the Common Council had arrived at a consensus on a budget that would raise taxes 12.7%, Mayor Joseph Delfino was not part of that consensus, as WPCNR had previously understood from Gretsas. Gretsas told WPCNR that the Mayor wanted to discuss the numbers and impact of the 12.7% city tax increase vs. the 7.9% tax increase proposed by the Mayor, with Anne Reasoner the City Budget Director before making the “Decision.” Gretsas said at 5:45 P.M. the Mayor was not in agreement with the Common Council that the 12.7% tax increase was the way to go, later Monday evening, Mr. Gretsas backed off that statement, saying in Gretsas’s words, “The Mayor hasn’t made up his mind (on 7.9% or 12.7% tax increase) one way or another.”
Asked what the current hard figures from Albany on the Sales Tax collections to date were, Gretsas said he did not have those figures in front of him. He said that Decision Night would be convened on May 26.
Asked if he had heard whether or not he had heard about whether Fort Lauderdale had arrived at a decision on City Manager, Gretsas said he had not. (Mr. Gretsas is a finalist for that position.) At about 7:45 Monday evening, Gretsas said he received word from Fort Lauderdale that the City Commissioners were going to “discuss” whom they should hire for the position tomorrow.
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WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. By John F. Bailey. May 17, 2004: Thomas Roach, Common Council President, reached at his law office today, attributed todays’ cancellation of the City of White Plains 2004-05 Budget Decision Night, to Mayor Joseph Delfinos’ need to discuss budget matters with Budget Director Anne Reasoner in depth before the discussion. Roach said the members of the Council and the Mayor agreed there was no point in meeting this evening “to go over the same things we went over last time (last Tuesday.”
Roach told WPCNR there would be another budget meeting, but that has not been set yet. He said Adoption Night for the Budget was May 26. He said he did not know at this time what the final amount of sales tax collected by the city to date was. He also reports he has not received the resolution that will dissolve the city relationship with the Parking Authority, and the circumstances incorporating the White Plains Parking Authority staff, garages, and revenues into the city budget and management structure.
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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
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
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
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
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
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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WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. From Budget Department. May 17, 2004: The City Budget Department contacted WPCNR at 2 PM today to announce tonight’s Decision Night on the 2004-05 Budget was cancelled. This was the night when the Common Council was going to float a 12.7% tax increase budget, in which they would bond for less money than the Mayor proposed, against the Mayor’s 7.9% proposed increase. The Council made that decision out of sight of the eyes and ears of the media last Tuesday evening, when Edward Dunphy, the City Corporation Counsel advised the reporter on duty there that the rest of the Budget Session was going to be Executive Session, which it was not. When the reporter left, the council came to a consensus that they would raise taxes 12.7% to bond for less money. No other date was given as to when the Decision Night was to be held. Adoptation night is scheduled for May 27.
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WPCNR PAUL FEINER REPORT. By Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner. May 17, 2004: A gas station on
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
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WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2004. From Ellen Brief, Lewisboro Democratic Club. May 17, 2004: The Northern Westchester Democratic Clubs of Lewisboro, North Castle, Somers, Bedford, Pound Ridge and North Salem have joined forces to raise funds for Senator John Kerry.
On Sunday, May 23rd, from 2-4 p.m. refreshments will be served and the North Country Bluegrass Band will perform live at the “Spring Fling for John Kerry.” This festive event will be held at the home of Naomi and Gene Matusow in Bedford, NY.
“We wanted to do something to help make a difference in the outcome of the Presidential election,” commented Ellen Brief, President of the Lewisboro Democratic Club. “I can barely watch the news these days, the war report is so gruesome. The loss of prestige and respect for our country, how poorly we are perceived by other nations, saddens me. The news on the domestic front is not much better. There has been some job growth, but not nearly enough; and the little growth there is, is not at the same salary level Americans are used to.”
“Although contributions of any amount are welcome, a contribution of $250 will reserve your place at the Spring Fling for John Kerry,” stated Gene Matusow, NY State Democratic Committee member and host of the event. “I am very excited about the participation of so many local democratic clubs. By organizing this event, we are creating an even stronger Northern Westchester democratic presence. We appreciate the support of our neighbors who want to make a difference. Their support is very much appreciated and will go along way to restoring our faith in our nation.”
Information about the event can be found by clicking on the Kerry icon on the Web site: www.Westchester-Democrats.org. A donation form can be downloaded and travel directions printed or e-mail info@westchester-democrats.org for details.
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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 16, 2004: Steve Rabinowitz, Convenor of White Plains Alliance for Vision in Education, has released a position paper on the School Board Election and Budget Vote coming up Tuesday, citywide. The three candidates contending for the three seats on the School Board are Stephen Taft, Michelle Tratoros (incumbent), and Rick Tompkins. The community is being asked to approve a $143.9 Million budget for the 2004-05 School Year. Here is the text of the Rabinowitz letter:
THREE FOR THE BOARD OF EDUCATION: Shown at the League of Women Voters Candidates Forum, May 4, are, L to R, Rick Tompkins, Stephen Taft, Michelle Tratoros. WPCNR did not report on the Forum due to a lack of substance in the proceedings. The two new candidates, Mr. Tompkins and Mr. Taft demonstrated a naivete and lack of knowledge of the City School District painful to hear without offering any specific new ideas or initiatives, except for Mr. Taft’s willingness to be oppositional and a voice of reform, while Ms. Tratoros supported spending at the current school district pace to maintain the quality of the instruction to remain competitive with other School Districts. Photo by WPCNR News.