THE WORLD READS WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER — 8,324,077 VISITS IN ONE YEAR | 2,905,611 VISITORS VISIT 8,324,077 TIMES 3 TIMES EVERY DAY IN ONE YEAR. HIGHEST ACTIVITY IN WPCNR HISTORY.White PlainsCitizeNetReporter lifted its worldwide visits from unique visitors to wpcnr.com to 8,324,077,a 1,306,419 increase in visits in one year from 7,017,658 visits to the site last year which covers White Plains and Westchester County. The 8,324,077 visits were made by 2,005,611 unique visitors who visited wpcnr an average of 3 visits a day. ON JULY 20- -2026 visitors have accessed wpcnr and made 3,072 visits an average of 1.6 visits. In the last week 33,495 individual vistors made 54,458 visits, averaging 1.6 visits. In the last month, 152,940 visitors recorded 229,338 visits (1.5 visits)

Third Quarter Sales Tax Receipts up 8.6% from 02-03 Level.

Posted on April 13, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey. April 13, 2004, UPDATED 12:03 A.M.: Budget Director Anne Reasoner walked the Common Council through the highlights of the 2004-05 budget in a meeting Tuesday evening, and during the course of the meeting reported that the State Office of Taxation and Finance had reported White Plains sales tax receipts for the third quarter ended March 31 to be running 8.6% ahead of the 2002-03 White Plains pace, a very bad year when only $35 Million in Sales Tax was collected.

WHITE PLAINS BY THE NUMBERS: Anne Reasoner, standing, Budget Director, conducting the Overview of the Budget meeting Tuesday evening. Photo by WPCNR News.

Projecting out to the end of the fiscal year in June, Ms. Reasoner told WPCNR she saw no problem in hitting the 37.8 Million sales tax figure that the 2004-05 budget is counting upon to stay on the projected $110.5 Million city budget. She gave no other details, but said, “I see no problem in meeting the $37.8 Million figure.” She said reconciliation with the state would take place over the next week, and she expected no downward revision.

She attributed the March spike in sales tax receipts to what she described as “strong retail sales in March.”

Ms. Reasoner also said that if the 6.5% of Salaries “Pataki Solution” to the $7.9 Million pension fund payments (the major factor behind the 6% budget increase) demanded by Comptroller Allan Hevesi, did not materialize, the extra $3.8 Million needed would be bonded for in 04-05. Payments on that bond, she said, would not be due until 2005-06, at which time the payments would add 2.7% to the tax burden in fiscal 2005-2006 for five years.

Roach Report from Albany: 6.5% of Salaries Limit on Pension Payment is “Dead.”

Councilman Tom Roach voiced the opinion that the 6.5% of Salaries Pataki Proposal to ease the pain of the pension bill is not going to happen.

At best he said, his information from Albany is that the legislature will grant a 6.5% of salary payment to municipalities to ease the pain of the large pension fund payment, but municipalities would have to pay the full pension share amount they owe this year.

In the White Plains case, that is $7.9 Million. Roach said the proposal that is likely to happen, according to his Albany listening post is that White Plains will be allowed to pay $3.8 Million in cash (6.5% of salaries), but be allowed to bond or borrow for the rest. In which case, White Plains would be posting the tax hit until 2005-06.

Kirkpatrick Not Running. Tratoros Is. Petitions Due April 28

Posted on April 13, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. April 13, 2004: To date according to the City School District, no citizens have taken out petitions to run for either of the two seats that are up on the Board of Education. Susan Kirkpatrick, completing her first three-year term as a Board member has chosen not to run again, while Michelle Tratoros will stand for reelection to another three year term.

Michelle Schoenfeld, longtime clerk to the Board, said it was early yet. Residents of White Plains wishing to run for School Board, in order to get on the ballot have to take out a petition from the Board of Education office at 5 Homeside Lane, and obtain the signatures of 100 qualified voters, and turn them in to the District Clerk by April 28.

Candidates must be United States citizens, 18 years of age or more and residents of White Plains for at least one year.

Information packets are available from the District Clerk, at 5 Homeside Lane.

Registration, for qualified voters new to the City, or those who are not registered to vote in general elections, will take place on Saturday, May 1, 12 Noon to 5 P.M. at Mamaroneck Avenue School, Nosband Avenue. A resident who has moved within White Plains during the last year may also change his or her voting address at that time.

Flower Filching Noted on Quinby Avenue.

Posted on April 13, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS. From a WPCNR Reader. April 13, 2004: Though the daffodils and crocuses were a little late this year they still sprouted up gamely over the chilly Easter weekend, but for one resident the gay splash of color he looks forward to every year was marred by a selfish act.

Sometimes it is not a brutal crime or an insult or blatant unfairness that hurts the most. Sometimes it is a blow to beauty and the expectations of the seasons that crush the heart.

Here is his short, but disturbing account:

An odd bit of news: I’ve lived in White Plains, on Quinby Ave., (in Fisher Hill) for eight years. Sure, like lots of people in this city, I’ve had my share of ugly incidents: my house was broken into, ransacked and robbed, identity theft, kids roughed up, etc.

But I have to say this Easter was a new low. Someone deliberately took a knife, walked through my yard and cut my gorgeous purple hyacinths, tulips and roses for their Easter bouquet. Guess I’ll have to give up gardening!

A frightened crime victim who NEVER sees cops patrolling in this neighborhood.

Fortunoff to Donate 20% of Sales to 40 Local Charities May 3

Posted on April 13, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR East End Trend. April 13, 2004: More than 40 Westchester non-profit organizations will benefit from an exciting four-day shopping event at Fortunoff’s new White Plains store, the first four-day charitable extravaganza in Westchester County. The “Fabulous Fundraising at Fortunoff” event will run from Monday, May 3 through Thursday, May 6, . It is first-time event for Fortunoff, one of the premier specialty retailers in the Northeast. Shoppers can pick their charity they wish their purchases to be donated, but must contact their charities for tickets. Charities are listed at the conclusion of this article.

Shoppers will simply visit the store on one of these four days, shop, and then bring their receipts to one of the Redemption Desks located on all three floors, where they’ll designate the charity that will receive 20% of their pre-tax purchases. As a reward, Fortunoff will present each shopper with a $20 gift card that can be used up to three months after the event in the White Plains store.

Shoppers can also take advantage of 10% savings on a shopping spree when they open a Fortunoff credit card any date after May 6^th.

“We’re really looking forward to this event and we believe it will be a big success for all of the charities involved,” said Arlene Putterman, Vice President of Public Relations for Fortunoff. “Almost everyone loves to shop, and this is fun way of fundraising for some of Westchester’s most worthy charities.”

This is the first time that a Westchester retailer has created a charitable shopping event that lasts more than one day. “We selected a wide range of not-for-profit partners that reflect a diversified cross section, from the arts to health, education and social welfare,” added Ms. Putterman.

Invitations to participate can be obtained through the charities.

For more information on “Fabulous Fundraising at Fortunoff,” please contact Robin Kern at robin@thompson-bender.com.

“Fabulous Fundraising at Fortunoff”

Participating Non-Profit Organizations

American Red Cross of Westchester

Caramoor

Community Hospital at Dobbs Ferry

Family Services of Westchester

Food – PATCH

Foundation for Public Education in White Plains

Friends of Karen

Gilda’s Club Westchester

Girl Scouts of Westchester * Putnam, Inc.

Grace Church Community Center

Historic Hudson Valley

Hudson Valley Hospital Center

Jacob Burns Film Center

Junior League of Central Westchester

Junior League on the Hudson

Junior League of Pelham

Junior League on the Sound

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

Juvenile Law Education Project

Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical Center

My Sister’s Place

Northern Westchester Hospital Foundation

Neuberger Museum of Art at Purchase College

Performing Arts Center at Purchase College

Fabulous Fundraising at Fortunoff – Participating Charities, continued…

PTA Council of White Plains (7 PTA Groups)

SPCA of Westchester

St. John’s Riverside Hospital

The Hudson River Museum

Westchester ARC Foundation

Westchester Arts Council

Westchester Community College Foundation

Westchester Community Foundation Fund for Women and Girls

Westchester Medical Center Foundation

White Plains Hospital Center

White Plains Performing Arts Center

YWCA of White Plains

City takes up the 2004-05 Budget this evening, 5:30 P.M.

Posted on April 13, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. April 13, 2004: The city hall numbers crunchers will convene this evening at 5:30 P.M. in the Mayor’s Conference Room and will present “Highlights of the 2004-2005 Budget.”

The next meeting on the budget will take place Thursday, April 29 when the Capital Projects Board and Budget & Management Advisory Committee will meet at 6 P.M.. That will be followed up by a public hearing on the budget on Monday, May 3 at the regular May Common Council meeting. The final Decision Night will be on Wednesday, May 12 at 5:30 P.M. Adoption Night will take place on Thursday May 27 at 5 P.M. in the Common Council Chambers.

Common Council Makes Appearance at CNA Meeting Tuesday Night

Posted on April 13, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR SOUTHEND TIMES. April 13, 2004: The Council of Neighborhood Associations meets this evening to host a “Special Meeting” of the White Plains Common Council at Education House at 8 P.M., 5 Homeside Lane in White Plains.

According to the C.N.A., the council will be prepared to discuss the Cappelli Hotel project on Main Street, scheduled for approval May 3, and the city tax situation presently and how it sets up for the future in relation to development projects. The opportunity to query the Council will be limited to CNA officers and delegates only. Residents are encouraged to contact your individual CNA representative prior to the meeting with questions you would like to ask.

Change in Mamaroneck Avenue Retail Lineup: Food Emporium Out, CVS to Move In.

Posted on April 12, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR MAMARONECK AVENUE RAMBLER. April 12, 2004: WPCNR News has learned that The Food Emporium supermarket, located across from The Jefferson that is under construction at 300 Mamaroneck Avenue, will close at the end of May, and the CVS store and pharmacy adjacent to Citibank across from White Plains “Gasoline Alley” will move into the Food Emporium space.

SO LONG, FOOD EMPORIUM: White Plains will once again become a one supermarket town in June, when CVS moves into the Food Emporium space on Mamaroneck Avenue. Though the city has a Chinese supermarket in the White Plains Mall, and a Whole Foods Market destined for Fortunoff, there is no nane supermarket, other than delis and convenience stores in the central city. There are two Stop N Shops within two miles of each other in the northeast corner of the city. Photo by WPCNR News

CVS ON THE MOVE: The Manager of the CVS Pharmacy on “Gasoline Alley,” (across from the Exxon, Mobil and Sunoco service stations), confirmed to WPCNR Monday evening the
CVS move “is all set” and CVS would move into The Food Emporium location June 1. The manager said that CVS would convert the present location to a “BHA” store, a susidiary of CVS that features Beauty and Health products, while the pharmacy and general CVS merchandise would relocate to The Food Emporium location. Photo by WPCNR News

The Co-manager of The Food Emporium could not confirm the impending move Monday evening. WPCNR could not learn whether The Food Emporium is moving into The Jefferson, a possibility, or whether JPI, the builder of The Jefferson would consider a supermarket tenant for their first floor of “retail” in their complex.

Faster HIV Testing Being Introduced by Westchester Health Department

Posted on April 12, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR COUNTY HEALTHWATCH. From Department of Communications. April 12, 2004: Beginning April 20^th, the Westchester County Department of Health will cut the waiting period for an HIV diagnosis from weeks to minutes by using the new HIV rapid test in its Yonkers District Office.

“While we have made tremendous strides in treating HIV disease and related infections, these advances mean little to someone who does not know that he or she is infected,” stated Westchester County Health Commissioner Joshua Lipsman, MD, MPH. “The new HIV rapid test will be performed on site from a fingerstick sample of blood and will provide a test result in as little as twenty minutes.”

“If a individual learns he or she is infected with HIV,” Dr. Lipsman continued, “our staff can immediately begin counseling the patient on necessary treatment to delay the onset of symptoms of AIDS. In the past, the opportunity for one-on-one counseling often was lost once the patient left the office, coming in weeks later for their results, if at all. If the use of this test in our Yonkers office is well-received and we can identify additional resources, we will expand availability of the HIV rapid test to our other sites.”

The Department of Health will continue to provide free HIV counseling and testing at its clinic sites in White Plains, New Rochelle and Yonkers through conventional testing, requiring a blood sample sent to an outside laboratory with a result provided in two to three weeks. As with all sexually transmitted diseases clinical services, HIV counseling and testing is provided free and on a walk-in basis at the three district office locations. HIV testing is offered both anonymously and confidentially.

For more information about HIV testing locations and times, please call the Westchester County Department of Health at (914) 813-5000 or visit the website at www.westchestergov.com/health.

White Plains Police Issue 3,450 More Summons in Year.

Posted on April 12, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. By John F. Bailey. April 12, 2004: The White Plains Department of Public Safety has announced that after a year of conducting Operation Safe Streets, the police effort at enforcing speed limits, cell phone and seatbelt violations that began last April, they have issued 20% more summonses over the same period last year for a total of 17, 254 total summonses.

OPERATION SAFE STREETS IN ACTION ON NORTH BROADWAY. Photo from WPCNR News Archive.

According to Inspector Daniel Jackson, who ran the numbers at WPCNR’s request, Operation Safe Streets has had an effect:

“My officers did comment the other day during a safety checkpoint for Seatbelt Safety Week, that seatbelt compliance was high. That’s an encouraging comment since our ultimate goal is voluntary compliance, not enforcement. “

Jackson said that with the warm weather about to arrive this Spring, Operation Safe Streets will continue with electronic speed signs temporarily on display in residential neighborhoods, and what Officer Jackson calls “following them up with enforcement efforts in the same area. This is done with a focus on keeping the neighborhood streets safe for the children.”

Regarding cell phone violations, Inspector Jackson said, “We are hoping that the recent publicity on cell phone enforcement will decrease the number of incidents involving cell phones. (By incidents, I mean both summons and accident incidents.)

The total number of summons for speeding, cellphone and seatbelt violations in one year since Operation Safe Streets began is 17,254.

5,007 were issued for speeding , an average of 415 Speeding Tickets a month, (100 a week), at an minimum cost of a $70 fine, resulting in a minimum WPCNR-estimated revenue of $350,000 in fines.

1,627 cell phone violations were written. At $100 a ticket for a cellphone violation, that is a WPCNR- estimated $162,700 in revenue possibly collected on cell phone vios.

There were 1,634 summonses issued for seatbelts. With a fine of $50 plus points on a seatbelt violation, that is an estimated $81,700 in summons revenues on seatbelts alone.

WHAT A SUMMONS LOOKS LIKE. Photo from WPCNR News Archive.

9 Applebee’s Restaurents Dedicate Proceeds to AIDS/HIV Research April 29

Posted on April 11, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR COUNTY BULLETIN BOARD. April 11, 2004: All nine Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants in Westchester and Rockland Counties will be leading the biggest dining out event in Hudson Valley, on Thursday, April 29^th with their participation in “Dining Out for Life.”

“Dining Out for Life” is a14-year old international fundraising program taking place this year in 37 cities across North America to benefit local AIDS agencies. Here in the Hudson Valley, the event will benefit the AIDS Related Community Services (ARCS). Based in Hawthorne, NY, ARCS is the largest organization solely dedicated to providing HIV/AIDS services, prevention education, and outreach to individuals and families in all seven counties in the Hudson Valley, including Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Orange, Dutchess, Ulster, and Sullivan.

On Thursday, April 29^th, all local Applebee’s, along with other participating restaurants, will contribute an average of 25 percent of their proceeds to ARCS, which is taking part in the event for the first time. Applebee’s is the lead restaurant sponsor and Zane Tankel, CEO of Apple-Metro, the local franchise owner, will serve as the honorary chair of the event. Apple-Metro owns and operates 25 restaurants throughout the New York metro area.

“Apple-Metro will be providing the most restaurant sponsorships in the entire Hudson Valley area for this event,” said William Primavera, ARCS Director of Public Relations & Development. “We are so grateful that they will be contributing their resources and proceeds on that night to people who are in great need here in the Hudson Valley.”

Local Applebee’s restaurants include: Airmont, Cortlandt, Cross County in Yonkers, Crossroads in Greenburgh, Hawthorne, Mamaroneck, Mount Kisco, New Roc City in New Rochelle, and White Plains City Center.

For more information on “Dining Out for Life,” check the Website at www.diningoutforlife.com. For more information about ARCS, check the Website at www.arcs.org.

Apple-Metro, Inc. is the New York Metro Area Franchisee of Applebee’s International Inc., owning exclusive franchise rights to Westchester and Rockland counties, as well the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island. Apple-Metro also operates three Chevys Fresh Mex restaurants and has developed a new proprietary restaurant concept, Zanaro’s Italian at New Roc City in New Rochelle and coming to White Plains this Spring.