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. | WHITE PLAINS WESTCHESTER DAILY NEWS SERVICE VISITS SINCE 2000 A.D. 25TH YEARl REPORTING THE NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW News Service Since 2000 A.D. 2026 WILL BE OUR 26TH YEAR OF COVERING WHITE PLAINS NEW YORK USA . John F. Bailey, Editor (914) 997-1607 wpcnr@aol.com Cell: 914-673-4054. News Politics Personalities Neighborhoods Schools Finance Real Estate Commentary Reviews Policy Correspondence Poetry Philosophy Photojournalism Arts. The WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER. TELEVISION: "White Plains Week" News Roundup, 7:30 EDT FRI, 7 EDT MON & the incisive "People to Be Heard" Interview Program 8PM EDT THURS, 7 PM EDT SAT on FIOS CH 45 THROUGHOUT WESTCHESTER AND, ALTICE OPTIMUM WHITE PLAINS CH 1300 Fighting for Truth, Justice and the American Way. TOP 10 VISITORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD :1. USA. 2.BRAZIL3.VIET NAM 4. CHINA 5. JAPAN 6.UK. 7.CANADA. 8.INDIA. 9.AUSTRALIA 10.IRELAND 11.GERMANY 12..ARGENTINA 13.BANGLADESH 14.RUSSIA. 15.NEWZEALAND. 16. FRANCE. 17.MEXICO. 18.UKRAINE. 19.SOUTH AFVRICA. 20. IRAQ.

We’re Havin’ A Heat Wave…A Tropical Heat Wave…

Posted on June 23, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR WEATHER SCOOP. From National Weather Service. June 24, 2003:With a high temperature of 90 degrees registered in White Plains Monday, Summer rudely walked in with a beauty. Steamin’ hot humidity is going to heat up metro White Plains the rest of the week and the boys at Weather Central have some tips.

The official National Weather Service Forecast:

HOT AND HUMID CONDITIONS ON TAP FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK…

AFTER A COOL SPRING AND A RECORD BREAKING JUNE RAINFALL…THE WEATHER IS GOING TO TAKE A SHARP TURN RIGHT INTO SUMMER. A WARM RIDGE ALOFT IS GOING TO BUILD EASTWARD DURING THE WEEK…SENDING WARM AIR OVER THE CENTRAL U.S. ALL THE WAY TO THE EAST COAST.

TEMPERATURES WILL RISE TO NEAR 90 DEGREES ACROSS PARTS OF THE TRI-STATE AREA ON TUESDAY…BUT THEN WELL INTO THE 90S ACROSS METRO NEW YORK…THE LOWER HUDSON VALLEY AND INTERIOR SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT FOR WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY.

LONG ISLAND AND COASTAL CONNECTICUT WILL BE SPARED THE BRUNT OF THE HIGH HEAT DUE TO THE CLOSE PROXIMITY OF THE COOLER OCEAN AND SOUND WATERS.

IN ADDITION…INCREASING LOW-LEVEL MOISTURE WILL RESULT IN MORE HUMID CONDITIONS AS THE WEEK PROGRESSES. THIS WILL RESULT IN HEAT INDICES ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY CLIMBING TO NEAR 100 DEGREES.

THIS WILL POSE A POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARD TO THOSE OUT IN THE HEAT FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD OF TIME OR FOR THOSE UNABLE TO BE IN AIR CONDITIONED OR WELL VENTILATED BUILDINGS.

TO PREPARE FOR THIS FIRST HOT WEATHER EVENT…CHECK AIR CONDITIONERS AND FANS TO BE SURE THEY ARE WORKING PROPERLY. ALSO…CHECK THE AIR CONDITIONER IN YOUR VEHICLE TO BE SURE IT IS OPERATING CORRECTLY SO YOU WILL STAY COOL WHEN TRAVELING.

A REVIEW OF TIPS ON KEEPING COOL DURING HOT AND HUMID WEATHER…

DRINK PLENTY OF WATER. WEAR LIGHT WEIGHT AND LIGHT COLORED CLOTHING.
COMPLETE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES DURING THE MORNING OR EVENING HOURS. DO NOT DO STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES DURING THE HOTTEST PART OF THE DAY. LIMIT YOUR EXPOSURE TIME IN THE SUN BY SEEKING AN AIR CONDITIONED BUILDING OR SHADE TO TAKE A BREAK FROM THE HEAT AND HUMIDITY.

School Board Approves 3% Across All Levels Increase for Teachers. 9 Period H.S.

Posted on June 23, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. June 23, 2003: The Board of Education meeting in Executive Session for 45 minutes Monday evening approved a new one-year contract with the White Plains Teachers Union stipulating a 3% increase in salaries from beginner to veteran. The increase was accounted for in the recently approved $134.6 Million 2003-2004 City School District Budget.

In a separate action, the Board also behind closed doors, approved a return to a 9-period day at White Plains High School which will be reconstituted after an absence of three years while the high school was being renovated.

EXEC SESSION AT ED HOUSE:
Superintendent of Schools Timothy P. Connors emerging from the just concluded Executive Session Monday evening (taking place in the Education House Board Room (lower left) told WPCNR the 3% increase had been approved by the White Plains Teachers Union in May, and the Board was ratifying it in an effort to remain competitive with other school districts in the county which averaged 3% and sometimes more, he said. Connors called it “A fair contract, and it keeps the district attractive.” He said the teachers union had voted to return to the 9-period day.
Photo by WPCNR News
According to the latest news release from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, during the first five months of 2003, the CPI-U rose at a 2.3 percent seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR). This compares with an increase of 2.4 percent for all of 2002, in which the White Plains teachers also received a 3% raise.

The index for energy, which rose 10.7 percent in 2002, advanced at a 16.5 percent SAAR in the first five months of 2003. Petroleum-based energy costs increased at an 11.5 percent annual rate and charges for energy services rose at a 21.2 percent annual rate.

The food index has increased at a 2.2 percent SAAR thus far this year, following a 1.5 percent rise for all of 2002. Excluding food and energy,
the CPI-U advanced at a 1.1 percent SAAR in the first five months, following a 1.9 percent rise in all of 2002.

Liberty Park Opening Ceremonies slated for July 1.

Posted on June 23, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE. UPDATED 5:00 P.M. June 23, 2003: WPCNR has learned that Liberty Park, the new White Plains waterfront park on Silver Lake will be officially opened in a ceremony tentatively scheduled for July 1. Kayaks have been delivered. The fishing pier has been installed and finishing touches are being put on the park by the Department of Recreation and Parks. More details on the park debut are forthcoming.

LIBERTY PARK AWAITS ITS OPENING: This is how White Plains’ waterfront park, Liberty Park, looked today from the shores of West Harrison. The view is looking southwest towards White Plains. The new fishing pier and launch pier for kayaks can be clearly seen.
Photo by WPCNR News

KING’S DREAM COMING TRUE: The now pristine shores of Silver Lake at the entrance to the new Liberty Park. In a year the city has reclaimed such a litter strewn ramble (so overgrown that Councilman William King personally protested the county’s neglect of the site) into a clean, inviting park which will open next week.
Photo by WPCNR News

July 4 Fireworks Display at High School July 2.

Posted on June 23, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE. June 23, 2003: City Hall has announced the annual free July 4th fireworks extravaganza at White Plains High School will be held Wednesday, July 2 from 6 to 10 PM. If you would like to “dj” the fireworks display by selecting the recorded music, you are invited to submit a 20-minute tape to the Department of Recreation and Parks.

The rain date is the next night, July 3, also from 6 to 10.

Americans for the Arts Presents Leadership in Fundraising Kudos to Janet Langsam

Posted on June 22, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR WHITE PLAINS ART NEWS. From Westchester Arts Council. (EDITED) June 22, 2003: Americans for the Arts this month presented the 2003 Michael Newton Award to Janet T. Langsam, Executive Director of the Westchester Arts Council, the largest private arts council in New York State, at its annual meeting in Portland, OR. The Michael Newton Award recognizes exemplary leadership skills and extraordinary dedication to supporting the arts through a united arts fund, which is a combined effort of agencies to raise money on behalf of separate arts institutions in the community.
“In her long and distinguished career in arts management, Janet has moved from positions in government leadership and cultural facility management to running a local arts agency and united arts fund,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “Her passion for making the arts available to all of her community’s citizens, along with her ability to recognize and seize opportunities for new funding and growth, makes her one of the most effective local arts leaders in the country.”

The Michael Newton Award recognizes exemplary leadership skills and extraordinary dedication to supporting the arts through a united arts fund, which is a combined effort of agencies to raise money on behalf of separate arts institutions in the community.

Langsam, herself a painter, is overseeing the Arts Council’s first-ever capital and endowment campaign to ensure that art and culture remain a vital part of the Westchester community for years to come. She has spent 25 years working in both the public and private sectors where she has been involved in promoting the arts and their importance to economic development.

She started as District Manager in the Office of Neighborhood Development in New York City’s Lindsay Administration. She went on to serve as First Deputy Commissioner of Cultural Affairs under New York City Mayors Abe Beame and Ed Koch, and later as President and CEO of the Boston Center for the Arts. She was also a founder of The Queens Museum.

She received her B.S. degree from New York University as well as an M.A. from New York University’s Graduate School of Public Administration.

Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. With offices in Washington, DC, and New York City, it has a 40-year record of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.

Bill of Rights Defenders Organize

Posted on June 22, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR GRASS ROOTS REPORTER. From Bill of Rights Defense Campaign. June 22, 2003: About forty people sat in a discussion circle at the White PlainsPublic Library Wednesday night, expressing their concerns about the loss of civil liberties
since 9-11 under the USA PATRIOT Act. Representatives from 14 communities and several cosponsoring organizations attended the organizing meeting of the Westchester Bill of Rights Defense Campaign (BORDC) under the sponsorship of the Westchester Chapter of the New York Civil Liberties Union.

Wesley Stromberg, head of the local effort, recounted how it got started. At the Chapter’s annual meeting in March, Attorney Udi Ofer, project director of the BORDC for New York State, spoke about how the USA PATRIOT Act curtails a number of civil liberties guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.

Nationally, 127 cities and towns and three states have passed resolutions opposing the infringement of rights in the name of national security. The decision was then made to launch a petition drive to persuade the County and local governments to pass similar resolutions.

Provisions allowing for searches without notification, indefinite detention, and holding immigration hearings in secret were among those raising concern. The issue creating the most comment was section 215, which authorizes federal agents to demand library and bookstore records and prohibits librarians and booksellers from informing anyone whose records had been searched.

Attendees were urged to support Hr 1157, the Freedom to Read Protection Act sponsored by Congressman Sanders of Vermont.

Several people spoke on the need to reach out and educate the public on the content and deleterious effect of the act, as well as its possible successor, the Domestic Security Enhancement Act, also known as Patriot Act II.

Other committee actions included setting goals for the number of signatures and a time for completion of the petition drive and establishing a number of sub-committees to work on particular phases of the campaign. Further information is available from the NYCLU Westchester Chapter office at 2 William St.,Room 200, White Plains 10601, or by calling the Chapter at (914) 997-7479.

Council: We’re With You All the Way. Mayor Gets No Nix on Stimac-Rosenstock

Posted on June 20, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR STAGE DOOR. By John F. Bailey. June 20, 2003: Mayor Delfino’s Wednesday ultimatum Memo to Common Council members asking any councilpersons who had reservations about Tony Stimac of the Helen Hayes Theatre Company and Jeffrey Rosenstock of the Queens Theatre in the Park being contracted to run the White Plains Performing Arts Center went unchallenged by Councilmembers by end of the city hall day.

Paul Wood, City Hall spokesman, reported at 5:45 P.M. today that the Mayor had not heard from any councilperson expressing they did not want Rosenstock and Stimac to run the new City Center theatre that will belong to White Plains to run, and is expected to have its opening night in mid-October.

Adam In Albany: The New Assemblyman on Lobbying and Disclosure

Posted on June 20, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR’S ADAM IN ALBANY. By District 89 Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley. June 20, 2003:For the last several years, from the front pages to editorials in newspapers across the state, public outcry for lobby reform has grown steadily louder and public confidence in the process has been in decline. I have called for sweeping reforms of these unregulated practices.

Literally billions of taxpayer dollars flow into these contracts every year and, under current law, no one is accountable for the millions and millions of dollars spent behind the scenes to influence lucrative state and municipal contracts. Right now, rampant lobbying has become a blemish on New York’s democracy and an obstruction to the open, good government New York needs and deserves.

This year, I supported legislation to strengthen and expand controls on government lobbying (A.9062). This measure would extend oversight to include the vast and largely unregulated area of procurement of goods and services for state agencies, local governments and public authorities. This legislation would also shine a light on lobbying of state agencies and on those who attempt to influence the governor on the issuing of executive orders.

Currently, those that lobby state agencies are completely unrestricted. One famous lobbyist was paid $500,000 simply for making a call to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. This unregulated activity must stop.

Current law covers disclosure of lobbying associated with legislative decisions, but does not cover the awarding of state or municipal contracts or lobbying of state agencies or the governor and his staff for the issuance of executive orders.

The Assembly’s bill would expand the definition of lobbying to include any effort to influence the action of any public official – state or municipal – regarding procurement of goods and services. This includes efforts to influence the implementation of rules and regulations, as well as executive decisions regarding legislation, and executive orders.

The Assembly’s reforms are part of the common sense solutions necessary to beginning the process of closing all the loopholes that undermine good government. These significant reforms will go a long way toward bringing greater accountability and oversight to the important decisions which are made in the corridors of our government, and ensure that there is accountability for those that act on behalf of the special interests instead of the public good.

Curtain Call for Council on Theatre Impresarios: Mayor Demands Clarification

Posted on June 19, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR STAGE DOOR. By John F. Bailey. June 19, 2003:Mayor Joseph Delfino has sent a memorandum obtained by WPCNR, to the members of the White Plains Common Council demanding to know whether their choice of Tony Stimac and Jeffrey Rosenstock is still their choice.

The Mayor has given Benjamin Boykin, Robert Greer, Glen Hockley, William King, Rita Malmud, Tom Roach until tomorrow, Friday, June 20 to advise him whether are not they still want the two gentlemen to run the White Plains Performing Arts Center.

Eyewitnesses saw Mr. Stimac at City Hall today, Thursday. The contract between the two gentlemen and the city is currently being drawn up by the legal department, according to Susan Habel who told WPCNR this Tuesday.

What is significant about the Mayor’s memorandum is that it accuses “members of the Common Council” of having had “discussions with representatives of WESTCO Productions regarding the Council’s unanimous selection of another operator (Messrs. Rosenstock and Stimac) “

The Memorandum also indicates that if the Common Council so feels, “the approved memo of understanding could be rescinded in favor of a new memo of understanding with WESTCO Productions if that is the will of the majority of the council.”

Mayor is confused.

The Mayor’s memo points out that the Council “voted unanimously” and was “tremendously enthusiastic about its choice.” The Mayor writes, “I am now a little bit confused based on comments that I am hearing. In light of the fact that we still have not signed the contract with the selected operator, if any member of the council having even the slightest of second thoughts regarding the selection, please let me know by Friday, June 20th and I will schedule a public meeting of the council to discuss the matter.”

Sea Star Diner Descends into History.

Posted on June 19, 2003 by John Bailey

WPCNR WHITE PLAINS STREET. June 19, 2003: The Sea Star Diner was in the process of being demolished today, to make way for a bank. The Diner was long a meeting and greeting place for community movers and shakers, and distinguished for its friendly service and extensive menus will be missed by its regulars.

THE LAST OF THE SEA STAR AT 4 PM.
Photo by WPCNR News