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WPCNR ROVING PHOTOGRAPHER. February 7, 2004: Citizen Photographer Terri Popiel submits this Photograph of the Day, depicting the building just saved this week when Super Developer Louis Cappelli agreed to build around the 1926 structure. The Photograph of the Day:
“BAR FOREVER” By Terri Popiel, WPCNR Roving Phtographer
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WPCNR’S ADAM IN ALBANY. By District 89 Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley. February 7, 2004: Bitter temperatures this winter caused a sudden increase in home heating costs – wreaking havoc on family budgets.
To give Westchester relief, I helped pass a resolution urging President Bush and the United States Congress to provide additional funds for the federal Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). Thankfully, the federal government acted quickly to provide more aid.
HEAP provides grants from $40 to $400 to help eligible low-income seniors, those with disabilities and families pay their heat bills. New York’s program provides regular and emergency benefits to eligible renters and homeowners alike.
Eligibility is based on variables including household income, living arrangement, heating expenses, young, old or disabled family members, and type of heat. For instance, a family of four that pays for its heat directly and has a gross monthly income of less than $3,325 could receive between $150 and $400. An elderly couple that doesn’t pay directly for heat and makes less than $2,261 monthly could save between $40 and $50.
Skyrocketing home heating costs are a real emergency – especially in a winter with near-record lows. Through the end of January, 640,000 households received assistance – an increase of 39,000 over the same period last year. In an effort to fight the devastating cold, the additional funding helps New Yorkers avoid choosing between heating their homes and cutting back on basic necessities such as medicine or food – or worse, resorting to unsafe heating sources. The additional aid will help keep Westchester families safe and warm.
To receive an application or find out if you are eligible for HEAP benefits, contact my District Office at 686-7335 or call the HEAP hotline at 1-800-342-3009. You can also visit www.otda.state.ny.us and download an application off the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Web site.
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We are looking for anyone who witnessed a truck/pedestrian accident on Jan. 12, 2004 around 8:00am at the corner of Barker Ave. and Cottage Place.
Please email Katannmor@aol.com
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WPCNR STAGE DOOR. From Innovative Stages. February 5, 2004: A glamorous vampire from the ancient past falls in love with a brilliant young doctor – the first romantic affair in her long, long life. It’s the premiere of “Blood & Kisses,” a musical by John Driver and Ed Weissman, to be presented at Memorial United Methodist Church on March 6 at 8 p.m.
With an edgy style and contemporary music, the new work explores the intrigues of romantic passion with wit and insight. The four-character work is presented by Innovative Stages, the non-profit organization committed to the development of diverse, innovative theatrical works.
An open discussion follows the performance. Suggested donation for admission
is $5, and $3 for senior citizens and students.
Innovative Stages is attracting growing audiences to attend monthly
script-in-hand productions of plays and musicals by emerging playwrights,
composers and librettists. The group is sponsored by Mamaroneck Council for
the Arts.
Memorial UMC, in addition to monthly theatrical works, presents regular
“Music at Memorial” concerts and a biannual art show. The church is located
on Bryant Avenue between North Street and Mamaroneck Avenue. The
congregation of Memorial strives to welcome and respect persons of every
race, ethnicity, national origin, physical or mental ability, gender, family
status, sexual orientation, age, theology, and economic circumstance. Its
pastor is Rev. Joe Agne.
The show will also be presented on Friday, March 5 at 7:30 p.m., at the
Bronxville Library, 201 Pondfield Rd., in Bronxville, and on Sun., March 7,
at 2 p.m., at Mamaroneck Library, 136 Prospect Ave., in Mamaroneck.
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WPCNR HEARTBEAT OF WHITE PLAINS. February 5, 2004: Susan Chang, embattled editor of the White Plains Watch is expressing cautious optimism that enough subscribers can be found to keep her monthly alive. In a letter to subscribers, she points to Monday, February 9 as the meeting that may very well determine The Watch’s fate. Here is a copy of that letter:
Dear Watch Subscriber,
I am writing to you to keep you informed about our progress in
converting the White Plains Watch from a free to a paid paper. Your
support as one of our first paid subscribers has been critical to our plans
to strengthen the paper’s economic base and its independence.
Although we did not receive a sufficient number of subscribers to
launch ourselves as a paid paper in January, we are optimistic that we will
be up and running again soon thanks to an energetic and determined group of
community leaders who have come together to reach out to the greater
community to encourage more people to subscribe quickly.
I am attaching a copy of a letter, (previously presented on WPCNR), signed by some of these leaders, about a meeting to organize a subscription drive for the Watch. The meeting
will be held on Monday, February 9, at 8 pm, at Memorial Methodist Church.
We hope you will be able to attend and will forward this email invitation
to your friends and neighbors and business contacts in White Plains.
If you have any questions please call the Watch at 914-421-1904 or
email us at wpwatch@whiteplainswatch.com. Please be assured that
subscriber monies have been reserved in a bank account and will not be used
until we begin publishing again.
Sincerely,
Susan Arterian Chang
Publisher & Editor
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WPCNR CITY HALL BEAT. From The Mayor’s Press Office. February 5, 2004: Mayor Joseph Delfino and White Plains Superintendent of Schools, Tim Connors announced the creation of Club Excel, Thursday — a new, joint academic initiative that will be run by the City Youth Bureau and housed in the City’s two middle schools. Club Excel will provide
“I have always believed that we need to give young people every opportunity to succeed in life, and
this program will help us do that,” Mayor Delfino said. “I cannot thank Superintendent Connors enough
for his support and expertise in getting this program started.”
Club Excel will be held in the City’s two middle schools and will include 100 students from the
The wide variety of programs that will be offered are designed to enhance the educational, social, cultural, and recreational needs of students and their families. A typical day will include academic support and elective – “academies” – during which students will learn about a wide range of topics including technology, the arts, life-learning skills, health and leadership training. The program will also include recreational activities.
One aspect of the program that makes it even more unique is the inclusion of family participation. The families of the students will have the chance to attend workshops and sessions on improving their own computer, language, and basic life skills.
Club Excel has been made possible by a $1.575 million dollar grant that was awarded through the State Education Department’s “
For more information about the program, please contact the Youth Bureau at (914) 422-1411
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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey.
New Assistant Superintendent for Business, Terrance Schruers, took the School Board, assorted Assistant Superintendents, and the approximate 25
ABC IN ACTION: Superintendent of Schools, Timothy Connors, left, and Assistant Superintendent for Business, Terrance Schruers, right, make sense of budget pressures to the Annual Budget Committee Wednesday evening. Mr. Schruers, conducting his first ABC series, presented a tight, cogent, remarkably understandable overview of the demands by the state, contracts, and business conditions on the School District. Photo by WPCNR News.
Schruers defined the cost of the Board decision to make all kindergartens full day in all the district elementary schools, as $1, 453,245, which would be paid for by $125,000 in added state aid, and a tax levy increase of $1,217,245, and a “one-time” revenue of $111,000.
He said the District was required to pay a 700% increase in contributions to the New York State Teachers Retirement fund, but because of prior Board of Education setting aside funds for this expected increase, that impact would amount to an additional $726,600 in the 2004-05 budget. He outlined several ways this could be mitigated for the committee to consider.
An additional $1, 025,535 contribution is required by the state, Schruers said to be contributed to the Employees Retirement System, a 142% increase. However, Schruers said, several proposals are on the table by the state to “amortize” that impact by requiring only a $513,481 additional contribution in 04-05 and amortizing the rest at 8% interest to the state.
Health insurance, Schruers pointed out, was anticipated to rise 9.9%, resulting in a $1,648,643 increase in next year’s budget. Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors allowed that this was an option in upcoming teacher and civil service employees negotiations, that he said would begin shortly. Currently, WPCNR was told by Board of Education member Peter Bassano, teachers and employees do not contribute to the cost of their health insurance. It is paid by the
The need to allow for tax certiorari relief resources in next year’s budget was emphasized by Schruers in light of a decline in reserves for certiorari refunds to $243,820.
Schruers reported that the City Tax Assessor, Eydie McCarthy, was reporting to him at this time that she expected no increase in assessments. Schruers noted to WPCNR that this was not good for the
The final significant factor referred to in Wednesday evening’s meeting was that the White Plains Teachers Union contract expires in June of this year and next year’s wage increase and its impact on the budget is unpredictable at this time.
Salaries make up 59% of the School Budget and will automatically increase the budget $868,141 for every 1% change in salaries.
Last year’s School Budget for 2003-2004 was $134,632,632.
Schruers said in terms of state aid, he expected that to remain the same, however teacher center grants (that help train and improve teaching skills) would be cut from $100,000 to $66,000 under the Governor’s proposal.
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WPCNR PRESS BOX. By John F. Bailey February 5, 2004. Updated 2:43 P.M. E.S.T. UPDATED WITH MR. RIDENHOUR’S WHITE PLAINS RECORDS, February 5, 2004: Spencer Ridenhour, “The Pride of the Tigers,” signed a letter of intent Wednesday morning to attend Pennsylvania State University on a full four-year football scholarship to play under the legendary football coach, Joe Paterno. With many of his football teammates looking on, the halfback and defensive back who set many records, and scored 57 touchdowns in his high school career at Parker Stadium, signed for the full ride at 9:58 A.M., joining thousands of other high school players nationally in committing to programs, the first day under NCAA rules in which they could do so.
TIGERS FOREVER: Spencer Ridenhour (front row center, with the biggest smile) was congratulated by his WPHS football teammates after his signing this morning with the Nittany Lions of Penn State. Many teammates spoke emotionally of their love for Spencer, what he has meant to them, and that they would always be there for him, visibly moving their teammate. Spencer told WPCNR he chose Penn State because of Coach Joe Paterno’s emphasis on academics and his focus on developing the whole individual, “He develops not just the athlete, but focuses on making you a responsible adult young man.” Ridenhour will pursue a prelaw degree at Penn State. Photo by WPCNR Sports
TIGER RIDES WEST: Spencer Ridenhour has just signed his Letter of Intent to attend Penn State in the fall. His coaches, Mom and Dad look on. Head football Coach Marc Santa-Donato is at near right, seated, then right to left, Spencer, his mom, Lani, Dad, Al. WPHS Principal Dr. Christine Robbins, a Penn State graduate herself, is behind Coach Santa-Donato. Photo by WPCNR Sports.
Coach Mark Santa-Donato, opened the signing ceremony by saying “This is all something Spencer earned. It is an historic moment for us and our football program.” Santa-Donato who has coached Mr. Ridenhour for all four years, said, “We are very proud of you, and what you have achieved, and you have been very humble about it.”
Athletic Director of White Plains High School, Mario Scarano said he had been asked what Spencer has meant to
Lani Ridenhour, Spencer’s mom, said her son was smart, articulate and would be successful wherever he went, saying she was very proud of him. Al, Spencer’s Dad, said a beautiful thing about his son. Al Ridenhour played football too, he said, and when Spencer asked him about playing football in seventh grade, Mr. Ridenhour said to “play football because you want to, not because I did it.”
Then Mr. Ridenhour, a fierce competitor himself, said some words every son would want to hear, he said “I couldn’t play with you if I were your age.”
SPENCER’S TEAMMATES took turns recalling memories of him, praising him, saying how they loved him and would always be there for him as friends. Spencer was visibly moved by these emotional tributes, and there was not a dry eye in the
Mike Devere, the quarterback who put the ball in Spencer’s hands the last two years, recalled when he first met Spencer and his parents in Little League, when Mike was pitching. He reminisced about that day. He recalled that Spencer hit a long drive to right field off him, and “before I knew it he was home.”
THE QB TAKE: Mike Devere, Tiger QB said what playing with Spencer on the football field was like: “You get a lot from him. He’s a role model. He has good qualities, leadership qualities. You just feed off him. He makes you better.” Devere appeared to speak for all, telling Spencer: “We’re always going to be buddies, and you’ve been a true friend to me.” Photo by WPCNR Sports
Spencer Ridenhour who will always be one of The Prides of the Tigers talked to WPCNR as he was about to leave for class.
He said he selected
He said he did not know the role envisioned for him on Coach Paterno’s team, saying he would learn more during camp at the end of July. He said the team had talked possibly defensive back with him.
SPENCER RIDENHOUR’S LAST GAME AT PARKER STADIUM: The Pride of the Tigers at far right, poised to take the handoff. Blockers ready. Photo by WPCNR Sports
He described Coach Joe Paterno as “a legend, very down-to-earth, who tells it like it is.” Spencer said “The biggest attraction (of Penn State) was that Coach Paterno was so solid on the classroom. Many coaches just concentrate on your athletic ability. Coach Paterno molds a good athlete into a well-rounded person, a well-rounded young man.”
Asked how he balanced his own academics with his football dedication, Spencer said “Discipline.”
Advice? Spencer said he would tell other young athletes to “believe in yourself, not necessarily being boastful. You have to have the feeling you can do it. “
He said you cannot concede that someone is better, you have to “keep working hard to be better and accept nothing less.”
A Coach Remembers
Coach Santa-Donato said in conclusion, “I feel terrific (about Spencer’s achievement). He’s unselfish. His parents have been so supportive of him.”
Santa-Donato recalled Spencer’s will to succeed, remembering the
“He ran 70 yards for a touchdown, “ Santa-Donato recalled.
Later in that game, Ridenhour ran for first downs on three consecutive crucial third down plays to run the Purple Knights out of time, on the same bad leg.
He has a Tiger’s pride, and already has a Lion’s Heart.
NUMBER 33 Photo by WPCNR Sports
Plains:
Total Overall Career Yards – 3,796
Total Career Rushing Yards – 3,676
Most TD’s In A Career – 57
Most Points In A Career – 344
Most Rushing TD’s In A Career – 54
Most Points In A Season – 144 (2003)
Most TD’s In A Season – 24 (2003)
Most Rushing TD’s In A Season – 23 (2003)
Most Points In A Game – 30 (2003), Tied With Marcus Walton (1999)
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WPCNR FRONT PAGE DISPATCH. From Committee to Save The Watch. February 3, 2004: White Plains citizens concerned about a free independent press voice in the city are holding another strategy meeting February 9 at the Memorial Methodist Church on Bryant Avenue at 8 P.M. Though the White Plains Watch continues to send reporters to certain city events (one covered the Council meeting Monday evening), the future of the paper continues in doubt. The following letter signed by Jack Harrington, Saul Yanofsky, Toni Cox-Burns and Carlos Mejia ciruculated Monday, throwing open the appeal to save The Watch and inviting all to help:
February 2. 2004
Dear friends in
We are writing to enlist your help in trying to save an institution which we feel has already made a tremendous difference in making
For the past few months, the staff of The Watch and many community-minded residents have been working diligently to develop a paid subscription base to ensure the continued publication of this important community resource. Your help is now urgently needed.
We are trying to generate a broad grassroots effort across
All around us, there are communities whose civic and cultural lives are enriched by the existence of such a newspaper. There certainly is no reason why
To advance this grassroots effort, we are organizing a meeting to discuss strategies to transition The Watch from a free newspaper to a more viable paid subscription newspaper. The meeting is scheduled for this coming Monday evening, February 9 at
Your input and support are welcome in this effort to keep The Watch alive. Please join us and bring your friends and neighbors who share these concerns about the future of this important community newspaper,
Sincerely,
Jack Harrington
Toni Cox-Burns
Carlos Mejia
P.S. If you cannot attend this meeting, please help our efforts by subscribing to the Watch and encouraging your friends and neighbors to do so. The cost is $25 a year ($45 for two years) if you are a
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WHITE PLAINS ROVING PHOTOGRAPHER. February 3, 2004: Today’s Photograph of the day comes from Bruce Berg of Cappelli Enterprises, showcashing the new Cappelli Hotel and Office Complex as presented at Monday evening’s Common Council meeting. The Photograph of the architectural rendering shows how the Super Developer’s new design integrates the Bar Building into the proposed $375 Million center city hotel complex.
“WHITE GRANITE COMPROMISED” By Cappelli Enterprises