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’S ADAM IN ALBANY. By District 89 Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley. January 17, 2004: The Assembly recently passed legislation to help New York level the playing field for women and minorities in the workplace. I supported this legislation which was designed to end wage discrimination, and help businesses owned by women and minorities succeed.

      The difference in annual salaries between the average man and woman working in similar positions is more than substantial – women are making $13,087 less, according to the National Committee on Pay Equity. Not only does that mean reduced Social Security benefits and less money for bills, mortgages and savings, it also means a lack of independence, security, equality and opportunities for women.

      To remedy discriminatory salary practices, the legislation (A.6252) seeks to amend the state Labor Law to provide pay equity for all people who perform work of comparable skill, effort and responsibility.

To help achieve pay equity for all New Yorkers, I also sponsored legislation:

·        Implementing a state policy of equal compensation for work of comparable worth for state and public employees (A.737);

·        Making discriminatory salary practices unlawful — especially in traditionally female-dominated occupations (A.3998);

·        Allowing groups of workers with similar complaints to file them together — helping individuals fighting discrimination to defray the costs associated with filing a complaint alone (A.148);

·        Enacting the New York State Fair Pay Act — ensuring pay differentiation is not based on a person’s sex, race, or national origin (A.6701); and

·        Making it a discriminatory practice for public employers to compensate employees of opposite sexes differently for work that is of comparable worth (A.6237).

      I urge the Senate and the governor to join the Assembly by passing these initiatives to help end wage discrimination for all New Yorkers.

We also need to encourage the growth of businesses that provide economic opportunities for women and minorities. A measure I supported that attempts to achieve that goal was signed into law. The law extends for another 15 years a program to ensure a fair portion of state contracts are allotted to businesses owned by minorities and women. The law was also expanded to include contracts put out to bid by the Empire State Development Corporation (A.7233-A/Ch.628 of 2003). Another law is designed to help promote women- and minority-owned business participation in state contracts for construction and services (A.9057/Ch.636 of 2003).

      These innovative measures will help make New York a fair place to work and do business, we must continue to work to provide all New Yorkers with an equal opportunity to succeed.

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WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE. By John F. Bailey. January 16, 2004: The Common Council learned for the first time that the Cappelli Hotel will be so exclusive, if built,  that it will get its own sewer line that Louis Cappelli will pay for. The new Cappelli line will inject its effluent directly to the 27 inch trunk sewer line at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, ending the mystery over just how full the Main Street Sewer under Main Street between Mamaroneck Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard is at the present time, and how it will handle the hotel discharge. The Cappelli Hotel, in effect, will get a “direct connect” to the Yonkers Sewer treatment plant.

JOSEPH NICOLETTI TO THE RESCUE: Commissioner of Public Works and City Engineer, Joseph Nicoletti at the Common Council work session Thursday night, explains his “Nicoletti Bypass” that avoids the Cappelli Hotel project having to be connected to the Main Street sewer and gives the Hotel-Office project an exclusive new 400 foot line, (WPCNR estimate) shared with the New York Power Authority, directly to the 27-inch trunk line at the Galleria Main Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard intersection. Mayor Joseph Delfino looks on with the Draft Environmental Impact Statement on the Conference Table. Photo by WPCNR News

The new 15-inch line “Nicoletti Bypass,” so dubbed by WPCNR because it is Mr. Nicoletti’s personal solution that, in his opinion, takes the city out of the game of Sewer Roulette, where the city appeared until Thursday evening, to be betting how much effluent is running in the Main Street sewer now and that it can handle both the completed City Center and  Cappelli Hotelplex simultaneously without failing. 

The Nicoletti Bypass will not test the Main Street sewer at all.

NEW NICOLETTI BYPASS 15-INCH LINE WILL BEGIN HERE on Williams Street. Williams Street connects to the present parking lot behind the Bar Buiding. The Bypass  replaces an existing 8-inch municipal main beneath William Street and will run in an “L-jog” out William Street to Main Street and be laid 100 feet east under Main Street to an immaculate direct connection to the 27-inch truck sewer main section in the middle of Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard. Photo by WPCNR News.

Building a “Night Line,” Lining Up Sewer Insurance for City Center, too. Main Line can’t handle 221: Nicoletti.

The Commissioner of Public Works said the work on 100 feet of Main street between Williams Street and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard (at The Galleria intersection), would take place at night. He did not say how long it would take to complete the 400 foot sewer run. WPCNR estimates on observations made Thursday evening that the little traveled “L-shaped” Williams Street is about 300 feet.

BYPASS CONTINUES DOWN HILL AROUND CORNER AND OUT TO MAIN STREET. The new 15-inch sewer line will run 19 feet underground. The existing 8-inch pipe running under Williams Street will be removed as part of the project. The New York Power Authority building is to the right. Photo by WPCNR News.

In order, to assure the Main Street Sewer will perform adequately, Mr. Nicoletti is requiring that Mr. Cappelli line the Main Street sewer from Mamaroneck Avenue to the 27 inch trunk sewer line at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to smooth the flow of effluent from the City Center.

Asked after explaining H-9,  by Mrs. Malmud if the Main Street Sewer could handle the effluent from the Cappelli hotel, Mr. Nicoletti said, “In my opinion, it does not have the capacity to handle 221.”

SEWER BYPASS WILL THEN WRAP AROUND WILLIAMS STREET CORNER (foreground), and continue down Main Street to the intersection at the end of Macy’s left, and the beginning of The Galleria (background). The new  15-inch Bypass will parallel the 16-inch Main Street Sewer side-by-side, but not connect. Instead the 15-inch hits a home run to the 27″ inch trunk line at the intersection and speeds the effluent to the Yonkers sewage treatment plant. Mr. Nicoletti said the county has assured White Plains there is adequate capacity at the Yonkers plant. Photo by WPCNR News.

Commissioner Nicoletti Explains H-9 Plan to Persistent Bernstein, and Relentless Malmud Request.

The DFEIS page “H9” contents were discussed for the first time publicly, and the Common Council appeared to be hearing about and seeing the “H9” document for the first time as Commissioner Nicoletti, nervous and precise in what he was saying explained his plan.

The Common Council got Commissioner Nicoletti to testify on the sewage mystery by Rita Malmud’s demanding it  twice on December 19 and again, during the Common Council meeting January 5.

NEW YORK POWER AUTHORITY WILL SHARE THE NEW 15-INCH PIPELINE the city will embed in William Street. The city has a public utility easement located within William Street and the front entrance plaza of the Power Authority Building shown in background. Photo by WPCNR News.

A Bernstein Push  

Tonight, Councilman Arnold Bernstein joined Ms. Malmud in pressing the issue,  though facing the Mayor’s scolding  that people would think the city would not make the right sewer decision . Nevertheless, Mr. Berstein quietly and firm asked the Mayor, “What am I to say to constituents when questioned as to whether the Main Street sewer line had the capacity to handle the effluent from the proposed Cappelli Hotel at 221 Main and future development. Mayor Delfino was very defensive, muttering, “to think people would think we would allow a project to be built knowingly that the sewer couldn’t handle it,” and rolling his eyes.

Rita Malmud raised her voice raising her eyebrows, and said with her trademark dignity, she wanted to hear from “our Commissioner of Public Works” about the capacity of the sewer line. The Mayor testily said, gesturing to Mr. Nicoletti, who, with hands folded below his waist was waiting to speak. The Mayor signed and, with a wave of his right hand, said “well he’s here waiting, let him talk.”

 And talk Mr. Nicoletti did, a little tentative at first, but gaining strength of voice and conviction as he got under the street and into the effluent.

After going over the “Bypass Plan,” Mr. Nicoletti was asked by Mr. Bernstein if the Main Street 16-inch sewer line could handle further development now that the Cappelli Hotel is no longer going to be using it. Mr. Nicoletti said “that depends on the project,” then elaborated saying any other project at the eastern end of Main Street would connect to the Broadway sewer, which might, he thought need replacing.

Mr. Cappelli signs off on paying for the Nicoletti Bypass.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Commissioner of Planning, Susan Habel showed a cryptic freshly signed original letter from Cappelli Enterprises, signed by Bruce Berg, stating that Cappelli Enterprises would pay for the new sewer line and construction. “This letter will be added to the DFEIS she said.

 Mr. Cappelli told WPCNR in the post-work session defbriefing interview, he expected to pay between $500,000 and $1,000,000 for the construction of the new sewer line and the lining of the Main 16-inch Street Sewer line with teflon from Mamaroneck Avenue to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard.

 The appearance of the freshly signed letter guaranteeing payment, at the end of the meeting, may have been the explanation for the 30-minute delay in starting the meeting, (called for 6 P.M.) which got underway when Mr. Cappelli, Mr. Berg, Mark Weingarten (Mr. Cappelli’s attorney) the Mayor, Ms. Habel, Rod Johnson, Ms. Habel’s Deputy Commissioner and the Mayor’s associates, Mr. Wood and Mr. Ammirato emerged from the Mayor’s inner sanctum adjacent to the Mayor’s Conference Room, and the meeting began.

“Defusing a Time Bomb”

Mr. Cappelli told WPCNR, he had agreed to go along with Mr. Nicoletti’s “Bypass Plan” which will connect the 221 Main Cappelli Hotel & Office Complex to the Main Street Sewer at Williams Street, bypassing the block on Main Street between Mamaroneck Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

WPCNR Asked whether his sewer and effluent analysts, Divney Tung Schwalbe, (whose statistics, based on average flows per minute, insisted the Main Street sewer could handle the Cappelli Hotelplex load along with the City Center), agreed with the “Nicoletti Bypass Sewer Solution?” 

Cappelli said, “I’ve been assured by my consulting engineers that I don’t have to do this. I had too. They (the Mayor and the Commissioner of Public Works) wanted it. I wanted to defuse a time bomb,” as his reasons for agreeing to pay for replacing the sewer.

The city will perform the work and Mr.Cappelli will pay for it.

Delfino: He’s My Commissioner.

Mayor Joseph Delfino emerging from a noisy conference with his aids, Paul Wood and Rick Ammirato, was asked by WPCNR if he had come around to agreeing with Mr. Nicoletti. “I never knew from Day One there was a problem about the sewers. Usually we work things out. He’s my commissioner. I don’t know. My people bring things up.  Usually we work them out. I want the building to be built and adequate.”

Asked if Mr. Nicoletti could appear in an interview on White Plains Week, to elaborate on the sewer solution, permission was denied by the Mayor, according to Mr. Wood.

Commissioner of Planning Susan Habel concluded a brief interview with WPCNR saying with gravity, “The sewer issue has been resolved.”

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WPCNR D.A.’S REPORT. From the Office of the Westchester County District Attorney, Jeanine Pirro. (EDITED) January 14, 2004–Westchester County District Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced Wednesday  Nine Warning Signs Exhibited by Abused Children. The D.A. urges citizens to familiarize themselves with these conditions in light of the recent incidents in Westchester County. She urges everyone to report incidents of suspected child abuse immediately.

In light of two significant cases of child abuse in the county in the last three months, Ms. Pirro, As part of her  continuing law enforcement training in the field of child abuse and neglect has scheduled a conference entitled, Child Abuse: Multi-Disciplinary Approach to the Investigations of the Family Abduction of Children: Investigation and Reunification on Tuesday, January 20, 2004 from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Pepsico, Inc. 700 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, New York.

District Attorney Pirro issued this statement in announcing the conference: “Every day three children are killed as a result of child abuse in this country. Child abuse is everybody’s business. As adults it’s our responsibility to ensure that all children receive the love, care and enrichment they deserve. If a parent is unable to deal appropriately with their child, there are resources available.”

Nine Warning Signs Exhibited by Abused Children:

• Nervousness around or withdrawal from adults
• Aggression towards adults or other children
• Frequent or unexplained bruises or injuries
• Sudden, dramatic changes in personality or activities
• Inability to stay awake or to concentrate for extended periods
• Acting out sexually, sexual knowledge or showing interest in sex that is not appropriate for his or her age
• Poor hygiene
• Low self-esteem
• Extremely poor school attendance or a lack of medical care

How to Handle Suspected Cases:

If you notice these signs or suspect a child abuse emergency,  for example, young children currently left alone or being beaten, the District Attorney urges you to call your local police department (911) for an immediate response.

If you suspect child abuse or neglect call the New York State Child Abuse and Maltreatment Registry Hotline at 1-800-342-3720 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).

For additional guidance contact the Westchester Child Protective Services Program Office at 914-995-5333. For more information and support call the Childhelp USA National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD, the HOPE Foundation at 1-877-796-HOPE (4673) or the Westchester County District Attorney’s Child Abuse Bureau at (914) 995-3000.

Recent Cases Underline Need for Vigilence

Two recent cases have prompted Ms. Pirro to step up awareness of possible child abuse.

Last month, 20 year old Uniqua Smith of Yonkers was arrested for allegedly beating her two-year old daughter to death.

In November 2003, the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office obtained the maximum sentence of one and one-third to four years in state prison for Sharell Rose Johnson of Mount Vernon in connection with the beating death of her 2 ½ year old son. Her boyfriend, Dyego Foddrell, also of Mount Vernon has been charged with Second Degree Murder, Manslaughter in the First Degree and Endangering the Welfare of a Child in connection with the child’s death. 

The conference next Tuesday is designed to provide law enforcement officers and child welfare professionals with invaluable information to properly recognize, investigate and resolve missing children cases. Conference attendees will develop skills and strategies to assist them in the investigation of family abductions, investigative case management, victim impact, reunification/recovery and investigative resources.

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THE WPCNR ROVING REPORTER. January 15, 2004: Presenting the White Plains Photo of the Day. The Photo of the Day is a new feature presented every day at this time, endeavoring to deliver portraits in the life of White Plains, your home town.

Snow Hazard. Third Hole, Ridgeway Country Club.  Photographed Tuesday, 4 P.M. Photo by The White Plains Roving Reporter

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Westchester County Health Department. January 15, 2004: The Health Department issues this sound advice in dealing with temperatures expected to be in the single digits Thursday and Friday. Of particular interest is turning down the thermostat effect on infants.

As temperatures plummet again, the Westchester County Department of Health warned residents to take precautions against hypothermia and frostbite.

“Heating bills can prove costly, but if you choose to save money by turning down the thermostat, keep in mind that low temperatures can be dangerous, putting senior citizens, infants and people who are ill at an increased risk for hypothermia,” stated Westchester County Health Commissioner, Joshua Lipsman, M.D., M.P.H.

Dr. Lipsman strongly urged residents of households with elderly occupants over 65 to keep the thermostat set at no less than 68 degrees in the daytime. “The problem with low household temperatures is that older and ailing persons are particularly susceptible to accidental hypothermia, a life-threatening condition that causes the body temperature to drop.”

Accidental hypothermia can occur even with temperatures of 60 to 65 degrees. Infants less than one year of age should never sleep in a cold room and should be provided with warm clothing and a blanket to prevent loss of body heat.

Warning signs of hypothermia in adults include shivering, confusion, memory loss, drowsiness, exhaustion and slurred speech. Infants who are suffering from hypothermia may appear to have very low energy and bright red, cold skin.

“If you know of an elderly or ailing person who lives alone, be sure to check on him or her every day,” Dr. Lipsman continued.

Frostbite is another cold weather concern, and is especially dangerous because it often happens with little warning. Numbness can occur so quickly that the individual, unaware of being frostbitten, may remain outside, increasing the chance of permanent damage. Older persons, and those with diabetes, are especially vulnerable to frostbite because of impaired circulation.

To prevent frostbite and hypothermia, it is important to dress warmly in windproof clothing and to go indoors when you begin to feel cold. Wear several layers of loose-fitting clothing to trap body heat. Fasten buttons or zippers and tighten drawstrings securely. Don’t forget gloves, mittens and a hat that covers the ears.

“Since snow is expected tonight and tomorrow,” Dr. Lipsman added, “remember that cold weather puts an extra burden on the heart. If you have cardiac problems or high blood pressure, follow your doctor’s advice about shoveling.”

If you suspect that someone is suffering from hypothermia or frostbite, call a medical provider immediately.

For more information on hypothermia and frostbite, contact the Westchester County Department of Health at (914) 813-5000 or visit our website at www.westchestergov.com/health.