Spano Proposes 1% Sales Tax, 2% Prop Tax Increase to Avoid Draconian Job Cuts.

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   WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Westchester County Department of Communications. (EDITED & With Reporting by John Bailey, updated 9:30 P.M. E.S.T.) November 15, 2003: Saying that homeowners had to be protected from a potentially devastating property tax increase, County Executive Andy Spano Friday proposed a budget for 2004 that would sharply cut county programs and lay off hundreds of workers. 


He called for a 2% increase in property taxes countywide (excepting the county’s cities), and for the state legislature to grant the county a 1% increase in the sales tax. Spano said that if the sales tax increase was not forthcoming, a 25% increase in the county property tax would result. Commenting on prospects for New York State Legislature cooperation on the sales tax increase, the County Executive noted that State Senator Nicholas Spano told him last year when he asked for a similar increase, that if 4 Assemblypersons in the Westchester Delegation had been for the increase, Senator Spano would have sponsored it. “We could not get 4 in the Westchester delegation to sponsor it, ” Spano said dryly.


Spano said the “drastic” steps were necessary to cover the continually escalating costs of state-mandated  programs and the loss of  revenues over which the county has no control. Even with these measures, Spano said, an increase in the county sales tax is needed to avert further cuts to county services that “would render our government useless and our residents unprotected.”



CUT THIS: In response to reporter questions about the Assembly Delegation from Westchester being willing to sponsor such an increase, Spano said he felt the delegation (that last year refused to support a similar sales tax proposal), appeared more inclined to support his request this year, and were willing to talk about the possibility. Asked what would happen if they did not, Executive Spano brandished a pamphlet labeled Dismantling County Government, saying the County Legislators would have to start cutting more jobs and services from the budget he just submitted. Photo by WPCNR News.




 “In developing this budget, I was guided by three very important principles that have been the philosophy of my administration for the past six years,” Spano said. “One: I will not accept an option that puts an unfair burden on homeowners; therefore I am proposing an increase in the sales tax, which will mean that property taxes only need to be increased 2 percent. Two: We must continue to protect our children, seniors and others who are the most vulnerable in our society; therefore I am not proposing a bus fare increase or cuts to senior programs, day care or to our non-profit agencies that were cut 20 percent last year.  And three: We must protect our residents and preserve the quality of life they have come to expect.”


County property taxes make up about 15-20 percent of a property owner’s bill. The remainder of property taxes are collected by school districts, local governments and special districts (sewer, water, garbage,etc.).  Every $4 million in net spending equals about a one percentage point on the county property tax rate. The exact effect of any increase varies from community to community due to differing local assessing practices.


 


“No bloated Bureaucracy.”


 


Spano presented his $1.4 billion budget Friday to the Board of Legislators, which has until Dec. 27 to adopt a final spending plan. Of this gross budget, more than $1 billion goes to pay for mandated state costs.  


Spano said that ironically the county government, which is the only government in the state to have a Triple-A bond rating, is being penalized for being well-run and efficient.


“There is no bloated bureaucracy. We have reduced administrative costs and cut the workforce,” he said. “Therefore when state mandates escalate, we have no waste to cut to make up the difference. The choice then becomes a large increase in property taxes or a massive decrease in county services and programs.”


 


236 Workers to Go. Other “Cost Efficiencies.”


 


In all, Spano’s budget proposes to save $29.8 million in county spending. The largest amount of savings would come from the elimination of 319 job lines, of which 236 are currently filled and are being analyzed for compliance with Civil Service provisions. The savings would come from  cuts of programs and the employees associated with them, along with the outsourcing of some social services divisions.  


The bulk of the program cuts are in the departments of Social Services and Health and cover services for people on public assistance as well as a range of health services including programs dealing with tobacco and mosquito surveillance. Other cuts (and subsequent layoffs) are scattered throughout the county government.


 “These actions are painful because they affect our dedicated workforce, and they cut programs that this county is used to but, with the escalating cost of state mandates, can no longer afford,” Spano said.


Other savings include: $4.5 million in cost efficiencies and operational changes and $1.5 million from bus routes.


 


No New Revenue Source Means Property Tax Jack.


 


Even with these cuts, if there is no new revenue source found then a steep property tax increase is needed. Therefore, Spano is once again proposing a one cent on the dollar increase in the sales tax, as well as  an increase in the county share of vehicle registration fees.


In his budget message, Spano warned that further cuts would be needed if the state Legislature fails again to authorize an increase in the county sales tax.


“If this unfortunate alternative comes to pass, we have a list of further cuts to county services and the


savings each will provide. They would render our government useless and our residents unprotected. They would destroy the very fabric of our quality of life. Non-profit agencies that do so much to  protect seniors, women and children would, in all likelihood, disappear due to lack of funds.”


 


 THE PROBLEM: “FINDING” $100,570,544 IN REVENUE OR CUTS


 


The requirement that the county pay a significant portion of the costs of state programs continues to be the greatest problem for the county, Spano explained.  The costs of these programs continue to rise in real dollar terms far more than the state reimbursement.


The most expensive program is Medicaid, the state program to provide health benefits to the poor. Next year the county’s share of this program is projected at $220.57 million, an increase of $16.4 million from 2003.


Other increases in state programs that county taxpayers will foot the bill for include:


·        $6.56 million more for other welfare programs, compared to 2003


·        $14.6 million more in state-mandated contributions to the state retirement system


·        $ 4.6 million more for the state-mandated program to provide attorneys to indigents


·        $2.3 million more on state-mandated programs for children with disabilities.


The county is also faced with an increase of $10 million in the cost of employee health benefits, $6.3 million in 6-N and 6-J (related to insurance and workers compensation) and the need to ultimately fund a new contract with most of the county workforce, which has been without a contract for almost two years.


 


Tobacco Settlement Money Unavailable Due to RJR Tobacco Bond Downgrade.


 


On the other side of the ledger, revenue is expected to be down next year, for reasons out of the control of the county. The two main elements here are:


·        Loss of almost $14 million in the 2004 installment of money from the settlement of the national tobacco lawsuit. Moody’s has downgraded RJR Tobacco Co.’s  bonds, making the  county’s share of tobacco settlement money unavailable for now and possibly for the next three years.


·        A decrease of $21.7 million in the fund balance from budget year 2002. Under county law, any fund balance goes into the general fund two years later. The balance from 2002 is $24.5 million .


 


THE SOLUTION: “THE BEST OF BAD OPTIONS”


 Increased revenues, cuts in services, layoffs  


 


To close this gap, Spano is proposing  the abolishment of 319 county jobs, of which 236 are currently filled. Most of these jobs are in the departments of Social Services and Health.


 


He is also calling for state authorization to raise the sales tax by one cent on the dollar and to raise the vehicle registration fees. The spending cuts and the new revenues, if enacted, would mean that just a 2 percent increase would be needed in county property taxes.


Cuts  


In the Department of Social Services, 181 lines will be eliminated. Of these, 110 positions will be outsourced to private vendors and another 31 positions are now vacant. The next largest cut is in Health, where 81 lines will be eliminated, of which 12 are vacant. Other position cuts are scattered throughout the county government.


In the case of DSS, Spano proposes to outsource some of the services, which will generate about a 10 percent savings in the first year and more in subsequent years. RFPs (Requests for Proposals) will be distributed for these four DSS divisions:


·        Welfare to work employment services, elimination of 34 county positions


·        Mandated preventive services for children at risk to prevent placement into foster care,  elimination of 51 county positions


·        Foster home development and maintenance services,  for programs to find foster homes, train and certify foster parents, elimination of 7 county positions 


·        Administration of homeless services,  elimination of 18 county positions.


 Spano stressed, “I want to make it clear that we are not cutting services to these individuals and families who get services through DSS. We think these services can be provided in another way or elsewhere at less cost to county taxpayers.”


 


Health Department Cuts


 


For the Department of Health, Spano proposes to eliminate or reduce funding for programs where people can obtain low-cost services elsewhere. His proposals affect some administrative positions, as well as the following divisions, with some layoffs resulting:


·        Family planning programs that currently operate out of Yonkers, White Plains and New Rochelle district offices, for low-income and immigrant populations  (9 positions eliminated)


·        Children’s dental services in Yonkers and White Plains, eliminating basic dental care for children who can get these services through a dentist that accepts Medicaid  (6 positions eliminated)


·        Public health information, which provides information to the public, responds to Freedom of


 Information requests and mans a “live” telephone hotline (5 positions eliminated)


·        Tobacco enforcement,  eliminating civil enforcement of laws dealing with the sale and use of tobacco products (6 positions eliminated)


·        Mosquito control, a scaling back of the county’s efforts to control mosquitoes that carry the West Nile Virus, but maintaining the county’s larviciding efforts of storm drains (7 positions eliminated)


·        New Rochelle District  Office, closing of the clinic that offers STD, TB, HIV-prevention,  immunization and cancer screening services that people can still get at the Yonkers and White Plains district office, with public transportation available (16 positions eliminated)


·         Services for preschoolers with disabilities, reducing oversight of the program (15 positions eliminated)


·        Environmental health, scaling back on restaurant and pool inspections  (6 positions eliminated)


 


Other programs that are slated to be cut are:


·        Employee Assistance Program  (5 positions eliminated) 


·        Probation’s Domestic Violence program, now funded with a federal grant that is elapsing (4 positions eliminated)


·        Willson’s Woods Pool (where the pool is temporarily closed for renovations)


·        Public Safety’s  major case squad  and violent crimes task force (no layoffs, function absorbed by department, savings from overtime)


While there is no bus fare increase proposed, the budget calls for cutbacks in some routes. They are:


·        White Plains to Manhattan Express bus route eliminated


·        Playland route eliminated


·        Some other routes adjusted for less frequency.


 


Also, $4.5 million in savings will be realized from operational changes as follows:


·        Reductions in  overtime in the Correction Department, due to the opening of the new penitentiary and a need for fewer posts


·        The warrant squad will be moved from the Probation Department to Public Safety


·        The Department of Public Works will take over maintenance of all Public Safety vehicles


·        Public Works will take over from Information Technology the job of overseeing  the facility management of the Records Center


Revenues — 2% Hike in Property Tax Included.


 


Even with these cuts, there is insufficient revenue to prevent a serious property tax increase. Therefore, Spano called for:


·        a one cent  increase in the county sales tax to generate $87.9 million over 10 months


·        an increase of $5 or $10 (depending on the size of the vehicle) per year in the county’s share of the vehicle registration fee, to generate $4.5 million in new revenue


·        increase fees for the departments of Parks, Human Resources, Health and Labs & Research which would generate about $1.02 million in new revenue


With these cuts and new revenues, Spano’s proposed property tax increase would be 2 percent.


 


Play that 1% Sales Tax Number Again, One More Time.


 


As he tried unsuccessfully last year when he proposed a sales tax increase to hold the line on property taxes,  Spano once again called upon the state Legislature to give Westchester the authority to increase the sales tax by one cent on the dollar throughout the county, excluding the four major cities.


He noted that Westchester consumers pay the lowest sales tax in the state. The county only receives 18 percent of the sales tax collected in Westchester.  


Nassau County has a 4.25 percent county sales tax and collects $901 million.  Suffolk has a 4.25 percent sales tax and collects $1.035 billion. We have a county sales tax of 1.8 percent and collect $279.6 million,” Spano said. “In surrounding counties, their sales tax pays for a greater portion of their budget. In Westchester, we should not be asking our property taxpayers to pick up more of this burden.” 


He added, “We are working as hard as we can to get the state Legislature to give us the relief they have given to other counties.” 


If the county does not get these new revenues, the Board of Legislators will have to determine what further cuts to make – or whether to approve a higher property tax.   


“If we don’t receive these new revenue streams by next year, your Board will not have easy options,” Spano said, “There will either be a property tax increase of 25 percent, further cuts in county government which will, in effect, dismantle it, or something in between.”


He added, “Everything we have worked so hard to achieve would be imperiled. We would become, very simply, a caretaker


for state programs.”

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ADAM IN ALBANY: Bradley Announces “Go-To-Guys” for Home Heating Problems

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      WPCNR’S ADAM IN ALBANY. By District 89 Assemblyperson Adam T. Bradley. November 15, 2003: Winter’s cold weather is right around the corner, and with it comes higher home heating bills. Thankfully, the HEAP program will again provide financial assistance to qualified Westchester residents to help pay for those higher energy costs.

 


      HEAP, or the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, provides grants for heating bills ranging from $40 to $400 to eligible low-income seniors and those with disabilities, all of whom are hard hit by the rise in energy costs. New York’s program provides regular and emergency benefits and both renters and home owners may be eligible.


 


      Eligibility is based on a household’s 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 could see between $40 and $50.


     


To receive an application or find out if you are eligible for HEAP benefits, contact the Westchester County Department of Social Services at 995-5619 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.


     


The cold weather can put a strain on families living on tight budgets. The HEAP program is available to help the elderly and families who are stung by rising home heating costs. Find out if you qualify today, and make this coming winter as safe and warm as possible.

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PirroBusters Protest D.A. Book Distorts DiGuglielmo Shooting. Mom: Son OK

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WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. By John F. Bailey. November 13, 2003: An orderly, quiet, relentless squad of supporters of convicted New York Transit Police officer Richard Diguglielmo, currently in prison in the seventh year of a 20-year to life term for the killing of Charles Campbell in the parking lot of his father’s deli, picketed District Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s private book-signing party for her law enforcement colleagues at Vintage on Main Street in White Plains Wednesday evening.



 


A MOTHER’S MISSION: DiGuglielmo’s mother, Rosemarie DiGuglielmo was on the picketline. WPCNR asked how her son, the police officer was holding up in prison:   “He’s a strong man, He’s strong in his conviction. He knows what he did was right. He knows that was the only the only thing he could have done. Could he stand there and watch his father’s head be blown off? The first blow (with the bat) was to his father’s leg and the scars are still on his leg from that blow.  He (Campbell) then broke his hand (with the bat). All I can say is I wish someone would go and interview my son.” Photo by WPCNR News.






One of the sign-carriers was Rosemarie Diguglielmo, the former police officer’s mother, who said her group was continuing to picket Mrs. Pirro’s book publicity stops because the District Attorney’s book, To Punish and Protect, (that many of her employees inside were purchasing),  distorts the circumstances of the shooting. It was the third such Pirro publicity tour that the “PirroBusters” have picketed. 

 


In Mrs. Pirro’s book, To Punish and Protect, Mrs. Pirro and her collaborator write that Charles Campbell whom officer DiGuglielmo shot to death, after Campbell, (having being wrestled to the ground by officer DiGuglielmo and his brother-in-law and then let up), went to the trunk of his illegally parked car and removed a baseball bat from the trunk of his car to defend himself.


 


The Pirro book does not disclose to the reader that Mr. Campbell proceeded to hit the father with a bat before Mr. DiGuglielmo shot him. The Pirro book, in addition does not disclose Mr. Campbell’s arrests and convictions in the early 80s, which included arrests for assault and credit card fraud.



“PIRRO BUSTERS” protest D.A. Book Signing at Vintage in White Plains Wednesday night. The group was protesting omission of facts from Mrs. Pirro’s book. Photo by WPCNR News.


 


Rather than disclose Mr. Campbell’s tendency to violent confrontation in the past, the book paints a glowing portrait of an exemplary young man, with endorsements of his character. Protesters carried signs disclosing Mr. Campbell’s prior arrest record, and accusing The Journal News of trying Mr. Diguglielmo in the press.


 


Ms. Diguglielmo says Ms. Pirro’s book distorts the facts of the shooting.


 


Ms. Diguglielmo said this portrayal in the book omits the fact testified to in court that Mr. Campbell attacked her husband with the bat, hitting  him twice, which is the basis for the group continuing to protest the book. It appears the publisher of the book, St. Martin’s Press, failed to fact-check the court transcripts  of the case. 


 


Ms. DiGuglielmo recalls the trial vividly, saying a witness at the trial testified, “Could he stand there and watch his father’s head be blown off as one of the people testified in the trial,  I thought he was going to smash his head like a watermelon.”



The Entrance to Vintage Wednesday night, 5:45 P.M. Photo by WPCNR News


 


 


Mrs. Diguglielmo also said her husband, Richard’s father, was not a robust 53-year old man at the time Campbell attacked him (for placing a sticker on Mr. Campbell’s Corvette), as Mrs. Pirro’s book describes him.


 


She said he had had a heart attack prior to the incident, and this was why his son and son-in-law had made it a practice of dropping by the deli to pick up their father, and why they were there that fateful day. She said her husband has had two heart attacks since the fatal shooting.


 


The mother speaking strongly and without emotion, accused Pirro of trying the case in the press and accusing the family and her son Richard of being rascist.


 


She pointed out that her son had patrolled the Bronx for ten years and was not racist in any way.


 



ONE LAST APPEAL: Mrs. DiGuglielmo told WPCNR  “ I hope to God that the justices who have this next appeal in their hands see some of what Jeanine Pirro has done. She called us racist for one whole year. We got to the trial and she didn’t mention one thing about race. What was the point of that? Turning everybody against us? That was the point, to manipulate. When three top attorneys tell you she doesn’t have a case how does she wind up getting a conviction of murder?” Photo by WPCNR News


 


The Diguglielmo conviction is now on its third appeal. The first appeal was dismissed by the Appellate Court in Brooklyn, the same court that did not disbar Ms. Pirro’s husband, Albert Pirro, when he was convicted for tax evasion, and gave him a three-year suspension from practicing law instead.  The New York State Court of Appeals refused to hear the case. The Federal District Judge in White Plains said that “while another judge might rule differently, ( Judge Peter Leavitt’s charge to the jury referring to a legal situation that had been off the books for 35 years), I think it was harmless error.”


 


According to a law analyst familiar with the case, the basis for Officer DiGuglielmo’s appeal rests on the actions of Judge Peter Leavitt, who, after the defense had rested, allowed two things: Ms. Pirro’s prosecution sensing they were not going to get a conviction, as he puts it,  “switched horses in midstream”  asking for a conviction of Richard DiGuglielmo based on depraved indifference to children in the area near the deli.


 


Judge Leavitt also appeared to give the jury a way to convict DiGuglielmo. He, our source says  “dredged up an element of self defense that was specifically knocked out and eliminated years ago. He advised the jury of the notion that the shooter, the person has to know which of the two involved in the fracas instigated it. This legal interpretation was thrown out by the state legislature 35 years ago. “


 


 Our analyst goes on: “Those are two clear indications that Richard DiGuglielmo’s rights were violated and yet they’ve gone on now for 7 years on appeals. The two rights violated are the right of notice and the right of defense.


The Federal court heard it…the first time he said you haven’t exhausted all your state remedies, and now finally it’s going to the second circuit court of appeals.


It’s now a question will the judges who hear it be influenced by Jeanine like all the others.”


 


White Plains Police Commissioner, Dr. Frank Straub, and Deputy Commissioner David Chong, apparently strolling back to Police Headquarters down the street, advised the pickets that they had to keep moving and not block the entrance to Vintage, because they did not have a permit to conduct a demonstration. The pickets obeyed that instruction. The protest continued until 7:30 P.M.


 


As to Officer DiGuglielmo’s appeal, The District Attorney’s office has until December 1 to respond to papers at the Federal Court of Appeals, Second Circuit in the latest appeal of Officer DiGuglielmo’s conviction.


 


WPCNR attempted to enter Vintage to see how the signing was going and take a picture of Ms. Pirro signing books. A young woman in a tanned suit said I could not go in. I asked her to relay to Ms. Pirro my request to photograph Ms. Pirro. I was told to wait a few minutes. Five minutes later I asked a man in a black suit, apparently guarding the entrance to Vintage about my request and was told, “No. No pictures at this time.”


 


The booksigning party, apparently not open to the public, sent out invitations to employees of the District Attorney’s office and other law enforcement agencies throughout the county. Many could be seen emerging with a copy of the Pirro book in hand, leaving the restaurant.



A SILENT ORDERLY STOIC PROTEST: The protest was conducted without chants, without interfering with persons entering the restaurant. Even when bated by an attractive dark-haired woman in a dark pants suit entering the restaurant, who told the participants, “Get a life!”, they made no reaction. Photo by WPCNR

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WE’RE IN THE MONEY: First Quarter Revs Up 2.4% Reasoner Says

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WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. By John F. Bailey. November 12, 2003: The Capital Projects Board convened Wednesday afternoon at city hall in the Mayor’s Conference Room and met for 30 minutes, receiving good news from City Budget Director Ann Reasoner that the First Quarter of the City Fiscal Year 2003-04, was on target, even slightly up in sales tax receipts.


Ms. Reasoner said  the city budgeted $35 Million in sales tax for 03-04, and the first quarter came in at $8.8 Million, up 2.4% over last year. Ms. Reasoner told WPCNR she was optimistic that second quarter figures (October, November, December) would be stronger than expected because the increase in the first quarter took place without Target or Circuit City “online.”  Reasoner said “We’re looking for $39 Million in sales tax (for 03-04), and have budgeted for $35MM. She said anything over $35MM taken would be helpful to the Fund Balance that has been depleted in recent years.

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Blast From Past: ‘50s Malt Shop Opens in White Plains on Court Street

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WPCNR Main Street Journal. November 12, 2003: It was bright, shiny and new, a relic from 1957, and it opened Wednesday at noon on Court Street, right across from Macy’s, the second new restaurant to open in three weeks in White Plains (DG’s was the other).



 


Lifesize posters of James Dean and Elvis welcomed this relic of the rock ‘n roll era into a shiny whitewalled, checkerboard floored, red stooled, stainless steel grill that you could bring your best girl or best old girl for an old-fashioned malted, ice cream soda, sundae, where the hamburgers sizzle on an open grill night and day.  A WPCNR READER  visited it on  Saturday and filed this report: “Visited the restaurant on Saturday. Dano & Vicki Weisse have worked very hard to make this a family friendly restaurant. The egg cremes remind me of the Bronx (not only Brooklyn) where I grew up. It is a wonderful new addition to White Plains.”
Photo by WPCNR StreetCam



A CHEESEBURGER AND AN EGG CREME PLEASE: Dano and Vicki Weisse brought the Brooklyn malt shoppe of the 1950s back to life in downtown White Plains, opening Brooklyn’s Famous Sub Shop & Pasta  on Court for lunch on Wednesday. It’s right around the corner from the Bagel Emporium. Open from 10 A.M. to 10 P.M., it replicates the ambience and spirit of Dano’s grandfather’s soda shoppe in good old Brooklyn U.S.A. of long ago. Dano said they were swamped at lunch and were very enthusiastic. Photo by WPCNR StreetCam


 



 


MALT SHOP MAVENS REMEMBER: Twin Brothers Stanley and Warren Livington, born and raised in White Plains were enjoying what else, a burger and fries, and sodas. Stanley recalled that the new malt shoppe reminded him very much of Daddy Michaels’  malt shoppe that used to be on Main Street in White Plains 40 years ago, and they loved the ambience. Photo by WPCNR StreetCam


 



 


The “juke joint,” as these places used to be known as, has jukeboxes on the wall, has high ceilings, and an old-fashioned stainless steel soda fountain. It’s easily the most unique and brightest, and affordable little restaurant in White Plains. Photo by WPCNR StreetCam


 


You can get egg crèmes (one of Brooklyn’s favorite convections), milk shakes, ice cream sodas, pasta, burgers, and reminisce. Take your best girl. The place does not serve alcoholic beverages, and has the potential to be a real family hangout.  Now we suggest Friday night record hops! (Paging Hock The Jock– Councilman Glen Hockley, who, in another life was a rock ‘n roll dj).


 



VIEWS OF BROOKLYN’S FAMOUS SUB Shop & PASTA


 


 


 



 


A FLATBUSH DOUBLE MALTED and make it snappy. Photo by WPCNR STREETCAM



REMINISCENT OF THE PAINTING, “BOULEVARD OF BROKEN DREAMS,” Brooklyn’s Famous Sub Shop & Pasta  is your old after-school hangout brought back to life. Photo by WPCNR StreetCam


 


 


 

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WPPAC OPENING WEEKEND: Tell Tony and Jeff Your Reaction

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WPCNR VOX WHITE PLAINS. November 12, 2003: The gala Opening Weekend of the  White Plains Performing Arts Center debuted last weekend, and now the theatre becomes an ongoing operation. You can use the the survey at the right to give Tony Stimac and Jeff Rosenstock some feedback on how they did. Vote once each day on a different category of question. Or put your comments in an e-mail and send them to WPCNR@aol.com.


Remember it’s your theatre. Take an interest tell the theatre what direction you’d like it to take.

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Adam In Albany: Tuition for Children of Veterans Killed in Action

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    WPCNR’S ADAM IN ALBANY. By Assembly District 89 Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley. November 11, 2003:  Americans will pause this Veteran’s Day to honor the sacrifice, strength and service of our veterans. With so many of our troops overseas, this year’s observances take on added significance. Today, troops from our community are deployed in the Middle East and Afghanistan, and these brave individuals deserve to be recognized, along with all veterans, on Veterans Day.


 


      Although we now celebrate November 11 as Veterans Day, it originated as Armistice Day – the anniversary of the end of World War I. In 1954, Armistice Day was changed to Veterans Day to recognize all United States veterans.


 


      The Assembly salutes every generation of New Yorkers who have worn a uniform to defend us. In honor of these courageous men and women, I have supported legislation to guarantee that they are rewarded for their service to this country.


 


      Recently, I sponsored the Military/Patriot Enhanced Recognition, Incentive, and Tribute (MERIT) plan (Ch. 106 of 2003). This plan goes the extra mile to help the families of the 1.3 million New York residents who have served in the military by providing them with the means to contact family members who are currently serving, offers free undergraduate tuition to the families of those killed or disabled in the line of duty, and up to $6,000 in funeral expenses for those killed in combat.






      Additional help is provided directly to veterans through Operation Recognition, which grants high school diplomas to veterans who left school before graduation to serve during World War II and the Korean War. I support Operation Recognition because I believe that the experiences and skills attained during combat are unparalleled and should be formally recognized.


 


      The Assembly passed numerous other laws to assist our veterans, including:


 


·        a full tax exemption for seriously disabled vets (Ch. 179 of 2002);


·        extending the eligibility for admission to New York State Veterans’ Nursing Homes to include military personnel who served between times of war (Ch. 455 of 2002); and,


·        extending a law allowing recovery damages for injuries caused by Agent Orange to 131,000 Vietnam veterans (Ch. 88 of the laws of 2002).


 


      For information on veterans benefits, contact the United States Veterans Regional Office at (800) 827-1000, or my district office at (914) 686-7335.


 


      For more than 200 years, citizens of this country when called upon, have answered our needs. Veteran’s day is a time to thank them for their service and sacrifice.

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Broadway for a Night: Performing Angels Wow WP in One-Night-Only Extravaganza.

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WPCNR STAGE DOOR. By Judith Higgins On the Aisle November 10, 2003: For one night this year, White Plains wasn’t 45 minutes from Broadway. Broadway was here.  Broadway Salutes White Plains, part of the “kickoff weekend” of the White Plains Performing Arts Center brought 17 volunteer stars to the stage of the new theater.


 


Even in the back row you could hear, and we were in the back row. There were some beautiful moments. There was something for everyone.



 


There were beautiful moments with Anna Maria Andracais, singing Beauty and Beast, and a song from Les Miserables.



The biggest voice of the evening went to a Mr. William Michals doing The Impossible Dream from Man of La Mancha.


 


 Neil Berg, a super pianist and composer, described in the program “as one of the most successful and up-and-coming young composers of today,”   was the principle accompanist for most of the acts. He was terrific. He had flying fingers. Accompaniment consisted of Mr. Berg, a guitarist, and a drummer. They backed up most acts, but not all.


 


There was one number called Throw That Girl Around from the show Swing that used recorded music. They were a very cute couple…a real crowd pleaser, Katie Boyle and Robert Royston, who doubled as emcee. They delighted the audience. It was great dancing, it really was.


 


The production was simple. The stage was bare practically, and you sort of depended on the talent, and the talent varied very greatly, I’ll have to say that. They had some pretty girls who couldn’t sing. But these two numbers Throw That Girl Around and Boggie Woogie Country, both from Swing were great dancing.


 


A performer named Jordan Rudess performed a virtuoso piano solo.


 


Older people there wanted to hear more familiar music. Some of the music was not too familiar if you do not go to the theatre often, which I don’t.


 


There was just one spotlight. Robert Royston, the Emcee complained once the spotlight did not follow him around. It didn’t bother anyone very much.


 


The audience was there to be pleased and they were. All the city fathers were there, with local people like Jo Falcone and Chauncey Walker, people of that nature. There were a lot of out of town people there.


 


 


The lasted two hours, straight through, no intermission. The emcee, Mr. Royston, was not domineering.


 


It was a perfect evening.


 


It was a very good, welcoming audience but a quiet audience. The only noisy people were ones cheering for Danny Zolli singing Scenes from an Italian Restaurant from a show called Moving Out. The way they screamed I had a feeling they were family.


 


On the whole the performers were a classy group. They all joined in and sang God Bless America at the end. It was amazing for them to come up for nothing. The program showcased them, and maybe they’ll be working up here one day.


 


Mayor Joseph Delfino was pumping for a Season Subscription to the White Plains Performing Arts Center that includes Ambassador Satch, (December 6 to 21), Fashion (March 20- April 4, 2004 )  and My Cousin’s Wedding (May 1 to 16, 2004). No new productions were announced.  There was only one problem with the theatre, the ladies room has only four booths.


 


Trotters was offering a prix fix Theater Special for dinner at $37 plus tax before the show, and invited theatre goers to join them for dessert and coffee afterwards. We went to DG’s for dinner, which wasn’t bad.


 


The Mayor stopped me after the show and said  “You’ve just witnessed a great night in the history of White Plains,”  and chucked me under the chin, he hasn’t chucked me under the chin in some years.

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Plaza Fountain Closed due to Icing Conditions Monday Morning. Rock Salt Melts it

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WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. November 10, 2003: The Renaissance Plaza Fountain a big hit with lunchtime and morning crowds in “The Biggest Little Small Town in America” weathered its first cold snap Sunday evening as temperatures dipped to 27 degrees.  Though the cold did not affect fountain operation, it did have an effect: icing conditions. White Plains Police barriered off the fountain sidewalk and plaza this morning and rocksalt was administered to melt a veneer of ice that police found dangerous enough to barricade to prevent pedestrians from treading across the ice. By noon Monday the plaza sidewalk had been reopened. A call to City Hall to ascertain any future management of the icing risk has not been returned.



RENAISSANCE FOUNTAIN, MONDAY MORNING. 11:A.M.: Rock salt has melted the ice formed from fountain splash back overnight. Photo by WPCNR News.


 

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WPPAC Gala Opening Raises $225M; Champagne for Everyone! Newhart Vintage.

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WPCNR STAGE DOOR. By John F. Bailey. November 9, 2003: The Gala Opening of the White Plains Performing Arts Center attracted close to 400 of White Plains outstanding citizens Sunday evening, and has raised $225,000 towards the operation of the fledgling theatre. The black-tie-and-cummerbund crowd arrived early and enjoyed swank hors d’oeuvres and wine, to the accompanyment of a saxophonist and guitarist from the Westchester Conservatory of Music. They were summoned to the theatre by chimes at about 7 P.M., when Impresario Jeffrey Rosenstock stepped into the spotlight and introduced Mayor Joseph Delfino who told White Plains “Tonight’s the night…this is your theatre and it’s up to you to help us make this the most successful theatre in the region.”



SCHMOOZING ON THE BALCONY, just outside the entrance to the White Plains Performing Arts Center, some 350 White Plains supporters of the arts, mingled, schmoozed, and discussed WPPAC’s miracle ambience. Photo by WPCNR AfterDark


Tony Stimac took centerstage, and said the purpose of theatre was “to nurture our souls and share a common experience.” He announced the evening’s handle ($225,000), with another big night to come Monday evening when  Broadway Salutes White Plains is staged at the WPPAC at 7. That performance is sold out. 


Chauncey Walker, Chairman of the Gala,  thanked numerous corporate angels, especially  Abe V.Systems for donating the sound system used for the evening’s performance, and United Stage for lighting. Susan Habel, Commissioner of Planning, took WPCNR on a tour of the theatre after the performance said the actual theatre sound system needed about 360 man-hours of work to connect the wiring together, and the evening’s sound system was donated by Abraham Viera, a member the Gala Committee, and owner of Abe V. Systems. Ms. Habel also noted the stage on view was temporary and that the permanent wooden stage would be installed beginning Tuesday in time for the next show, November 19, (All Under Heaven, starring Valerie Harper) at the WPPAC.


National Amusements, Ms. Habel said, delayed their opening of the Cinema Deluxe movie threatres next door to the WPPAC, by moving the opening until mid-December, because they did not have all their concessionaires ready. Habel remarked that National Amusements has a history of not opening until they are absolutely ready and all their concessionaires are on board.



 


MIXING AND MATCHING: Mayor Delfino, far left, has just arrived and the Gala party is in full swing at 6 PM. Photo by WPCNR AfterDark


Eli Schonberger of the Board of Trustees, introduced by Mayor Delfino,  recalled one of his grandaughters finding an old folder of his in his attic recently that contained a validictorian speech, that began with the words, “This is a momentous occasion.” Mr. Schonberger said he would paraphrase that to described the Gala evening, as “a momentous and memorable occasion.”



CHECK YOUR COAT, SIR? Everybody got into the act, helping out at the WPPAC Opening Weekend.  Nicole Norris, left, Kelsey Kulk, center, and Joanna Wolff, were recruited to perform Hat Check duty by Ms. Norris’ grandmother. Photo by WPCNR AfterDark



MR. AND MRS. ADAM BRADLEY arriving just before the show. Photo by WPCNR AfterDark



THE SUPER DEVELOPER DOES IT AGAIN: Louis Cappelli, Chairman of Cappelli Enerprises with Theatre Manager, Kathy Davisson. Cappelli was receiving kudos all around for completing the theatre in a whirlwind of 3 8-hour shifts a day Thursday and Friday.Seats for the theatre arrived at 2 A.M. Thursday morning, and they were installed, carpet laid, and walls painted within 48 hours. Photo by WPCNR AfterDark.



Louis Fortunoff, member of the White Plains Performing Arts Center  Founding Board of Trustees makes his way to the entrance as curtain call sounds. Photo by WPCNR AfterDark



WHITE PLAINS WEEK WAS THERE: “The News Amigos” from WPPA-TV’s Channel 76 twice-weekly news roundup show were there. Left to Right, Alex Philippidis, Westchester County Business Journal, yours truly, John Bailey, The White PlainsCitizeNetReporter, and veteran newsman, Jim Benerofe, Suburbanstreet.com. Photo by  Benjamin Boykin



TICKETS, PLEASE



CHIMES ANNOUNCE SHOWTIME: Mr. and Mrs. White Plains ascend the stairway to the new theatre. Photo by WPCNR AfterDark.



GALA AUDIENCE takes its seats Sunday night. Photo by WPCNR AfterDark.



AMERICA’S FAVORITE MAYOR, Joseph Delfino welcomes the multitude. The Mayor thanked Greg Cuneo, Chairman of HRH Construction for all his help in getting the theatre completed, Peter Palazzo. He introduced Louis Cappelli in the audience, and thanked George Gretsas, Executive Officer, and Susan Habel, Commissioner of Planning, and Mike Gismondi, Commissioner of Building, noting once again the phrase that he always says on the many occasions of progress in White Plains, “There is nothing we cannot do when we work together.” Photo by WPCNR AfterDark


After Mr. Walker and Mr. Schonberger spoke,  Tony Stimac was introduced who in turn, brought on the evening’s feature performer, Bob Newhart.


After a 20-second fanfare by the Music Conservatory of Westchester Big Band, donating their time to back up Mr. Newhart, Mr. Newhart ambled on stage, carrying a silver paint can and paint brush in his right hand, saying to Mr. Stimac, “I’m sorry Tony, it was close, but we made it.”


It was a great line and was the first of many through Mr. Newhart’s non-stop 40-minute performance, though unfortunately, no more construction jokes. Mr. Newhart regaled us with various ethnic jokes, getting away with them in a most tasteful manner, considering this most politically correct of times.


Example: Mr. Newhart told the audience that they are having trouble in Los Angeles with vietnamese gangs. He said, “You know how you can tell when your home is raided by a vietnamese gang, don’t you? Your dog is gone, but your daughter’s homework is done.”


 He reprised some of his best bits of the past, the faith healer routine, the Driving Instructor skit, and for his encore, the Sir Walter Raleigh funny phone call. He revived the George Shearing joke about Mr. Shearing letting a pilot take his seeing eye dog out for a walk while his plane was inbetween stops, but no one would get back on the plane because they had seen the pilot coming off the plane being lead by a seeing eye dog. The Westchester Big Band backed Mr. Newhart up for his entrance and his exit with two 15 second riffs worthy of Doc Severinson. It was a nightclub experience. Still one wishes Mr. Newhart would update his material to reflect modern events, we think it would be really interesting.



BOB NEWHART MINGLES with guests after his performance. He was a most gracious star, signing autographs, and conversing pleasantly. He is at center of the picture. Photo by WPCNR AfterDark



THE SUPER-DEVELOPER TASTES THE CHAMPAGNE: Louis Cappelli accepting congratsos from members of the audience, glass of champagne in hand, as Steve Feinstein, back to camera, his project manager for the theater looks on. Photo by WPCNR AfterDark.



GUESTS TOASTED THE NEW THEATRE at a Post-Reception. Photo by WPCNR AfterDark



ALL’S WELL THAT BEGINS WELL: Jeffrey Rosenstock, left, and Tony Stimac feeling very good on Opening Night. Photo by WPCNR AfterDark



FORT HILL PLAYERS PRESIDENT, Joan Charischak, visions of future productions at WPPAC dancing in her head, chats with Mrs. Delfino, back to camera. Photo by WPCNR AfterDark



Mayor Delfino’s daughter, left,George Gretsas, Councilman Glen Hockley, and Louis Cappelli relax: Opening Night is over. Photo by WPCNR AfterDark



WE LOVE IT WHEN A GOOD PLAN COMES TOGETHER:  “White Plains Team” of George Gretsas, Executive Officer, and “The Peerless Leader” Mayor Joseph Delfino relax as the Gala winds down. Photo by WPCNR AfterDark.



HELLO, SWIFTY. BOOK ME “J-LO” IN JANUARY: What does the boss do after the show is over? He gets on the phone of course. Jeffrey Rosentock, Executive Director, Opening Night over, burning up the cellular waves. Rosenstock said WPPAC has booked musical directors to play for the acts from Broadway shows performing Monday evening as the Gala weekend completes. Photo by WPCNR AfterDark



A TOAST TO THE ANGELS



THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES: Original Seats from the old RKO Keiths on Main Street in White Plains were restored by Raymond Frederick of the Planning Department. The seats grace the theatre’s lobby and are the gift of the Terrence McCormack family of White Plains. Photo by WPCNR AfterDark



THE INGENUE ON CITY PLACE awaits her next performance. As you can see, the worst seat in the White Plains Performing Arts Center is better than half way up center aisle in a Broadway house. The sound difusers (the golden beveled baffles on the walls shown at left), channel the sound from the stage so well  that conversational voices may be heard in the back row quite clearly. The “airline” like seats are very yielding, they recline, and guests can make their way to their seats without patrons who are already seated having to stand up (a major improvement over Broadway houses, I might add). There is also plenty of legroom.  Photo by WPCNR AfterDark

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