County Prepares to Welcome Rowdy Guest Isabel. Prep Tips for Residents

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WPCNR WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Department of Communications. September 15, 2003: Westchester County is mobilizing for the possible impact of Hurricane Isabel later this week, and County Executive Andy Spano urged residents to take preparatory steps as well.


“We are watching this hurricane closely, and reports are that it could affect our area Thursday evening,” said Spano. “While people should not panic – after all it could miss our area — we are taking all steps possible now to prepare, and I advise residents of Westchester to do the same. A major hurricane hitting our area could result in power outages, loss of phone service and disruptions to our water and gas systems. Each home should be prepared to ‘go it alone’ for at least three days.”


Spano added that later today the county’s website (www.westchestergov.com) will have a special link to an emergency site where the county will post up-to-date information as well as the latest weather reports so residents can track the storm.



In the meantime, the county executive has directed every department to draw up a specific emergency plan for how it will deal with potential flooding, high winds and other possible effects of the hurricane. 


The county is working with local officials and police departments, providing maps that pinpoint areas that are vulnerable to flooding and preparing sandbags to shore up those areas. Hospitals, schools and businesses are being contacted to offer assistance and open lines of communication. The county has also begun taking steps to prepare backup systems should its sewage treatment plants be swamped by the storm.


The county’s Bee-Line system, as well as its para-transit system, which transports handicapped and elderly residents, are preparing to adjust schedules and notify riders should the storm become too severe.


Preparing for the Hurricane:  You & your home



  • Develop a household disaster plan. Avoid separating your family. Contact family members outside the area to designate them as a clearing house for local family that may be able to call points outside the area, but not be able to communicate locally.


  • Do not use candles or kerosene lamps as light sources, as they can pose a fire hazard. Instead, keep a supply of flashlights and extra batteries on hand.
  • Clean rain gutters and outside drains around your home.
  • Think of storms we have had in the past with heavy rainfall. Recall what clogged leaked or flooded areas or other problems resulted that you may be able to address before the next storm.
  • Look around outside, bring in any light objects, loose patio furniture, garbage cans, toys or articles that could become a hazard should they become airborne in the storm.
  • Tie down heavy objects, such as barbeques, lawn ornaments etc. Turn off propane tanks.
  •  If you have a boat make sure it is securely moored. If you have a trailer, i.e. camping etc, make sure it is securely tied down.
  • Fill you cars’ gas tank.
  • Secure any shutters, cover or tape large windows if possible.
  • Have extra cash on hand, ATM machines may be out of service.
  • Remember to check on relatives and neighbors, especially those with disabilities or special needs. They may need your assistance in their storm preparations.
  • Seal valuables and important papers in water tight baggies.

Prepare for Water and Sewer Disruptions



  • To keep perishable food cold, freeze water in plastic jugs and use in freezer or coolers. Fill up other emergency water containers.
  • Clean jugs, bottles and other containers. Scrub bathtubs thoroughly, sponge and swab with regular, unscented liquid chlorine bleach, then rinse. Let the tub and other containers dry. Fill with water.
  • If you have a pool, do not drain it completely. Instead, drop the level by one or two feet. Submerge outdoor furniture and pool equipment in the pool. Turn off electricity to pool pump. Add extra chlorine to compensate for heavy rains.
  • Keep five-gallon buckets with tight-fitting lids for use as emergency toilets. Line each bucket with a heavy-duty plastic trash bag
  • See food supply preparation for an emergency for more information.

Prepare for Power Disruptions



  • Turn your refrigerator and freezer to coldest settings. Open only when absolutely necessary, and then close quickly.
  • Unplug appliances to prevent damage in case of an electrical power surge.
  • Authorities will instruct you if you should turn off utilities.
  • See power outage preparedness for more information.

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Firefighters Beef Up. City Swears In Four.

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WHITE PLAINS FIREFIGHTERS ROLL. From Department of Public Safety. September 15, 2003: The White Plains Fire Department increased its strength to 170 men Friday at a swearing-in ceremony at the Public Safety Building.


FIRE CHIEF SWEARS IN FOUR: Richard Lyman swearing in new White Plains Firefighters: (left to right) Michael J. Alfero, Frank J. Piccininni III, Richard A. Strobel, and Francis X. Hosei. Photo by Department of Public Safety.



PROUD TO BE A WHITE PLAINS FIRE FIGHTER: Left to right, freshly minted Fire Fighter Richard A. Strobel, Fire Fighter Francis X. Hosei, Fire Fighter Michael J. Alfero, and Fire Fighter Frank J. Piccininni III.  The four will take the Fire Fighters training course and then be assigned to respective stations.


Photo by White Plains Department of Public Safety.

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Adam in White Plains: Assemblyman to Visit Schools

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WPCNR’S ADAM IN ALBANY. By District 89 Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley. September 14, 2003: This week, I will be participating in America’s Legislators Back to School Week. This exciting program, which is nationwide and bipartisan, is a unique opportunity to visit classrooms and talk to students about the importance of state government and the impact it has on their lives.


 


I will meet personally with students of all ages in Westchester schools where I will answer questions, share ideas, and listen to concerns. I plan to discuss with students the importance of debate and the legislative process at the state level. It’s important that students realize how action in the state government affects them and the areas where they live. 


 


I will also try to instill the importance of voting to eligible students. Since 1972, the voter turnout rate among young Americans has fallen by some 15 percent – and the problem seems to be getting worse. Only 60 percent of people born after 1976 are registered to vote, and only 24 percent cast a ballot. I’m going to encourage our kids to vote and voice their opinions on issues. We must work together – legislators, parents, and educators – to get them excited about being citizens and how democracy works.


 


Sponsored by the National Conference of State Legislators and the Center for Civic Education, America’s Legislators Back to School Week, brings civics education to life for more than 250,000 students from New York to Hawaii who will meet with their state lawmakers during this week-long classroom initiative.


 


If you are interested in more information on Legislators Back to School Week, or if you have any other questions or comments, please contact my office at 686-7335, bradlea@assembly.state.ny.us or 4 New King Street, Town of North Castle, White Plains, New York 10604.


 

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Tigers Play Cat and Mouse with Wolves, 28-14.

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. By John F. Bailey. September 13, 2003 UPDATED 10:30 PM. E.D.T.: John Corretti  swooped in and got a paw on a Gorton punt in the first quarter on the GHS 30 and Mike Johnson alertly fell on it, to start the Tigers on their way to their second win of the 2003 season at mist-swept Gorton High in Yonkers Saturday.


Moments later after the Tigers had scored on 5 consecutive runs by Spencer Ridenhour TD plunge capped by Number 33’s first touchdown of the season, Evan McGuire recovered a fumble on a sloppy Gorton reverse to set up the Orange and Black on the Gorton 35.


Mike Devere followed that play up with a sweet cross-the field 35 yard touchdown strike to Ryan Smalls. After seven minutes of play, the Tigers had a 14-0 lead, and held off the Wolves the rest of the way to win 28-14. Spencer Ridenhour intercepted a Gorton pass and returned it 15 yards for a touchdown to give White Plains a 21-8 lead at half-time. Ike Nduka emerged as a chew-em-up companion back to Ridenhour, rushing unofficially  for close to 100 yards in the second half, scoring the Tigers clinching TD in the third quarter.



TIGERS SET THE TONE IN FIRST HALF: Mike Lane, a major force in the Tiger secondary all afternoon, stops a Gorton touchdown at the close of the first half. The “Night Train” added an amazing interception in the third quarter to set the Tiger clincher. The Orange and Black defense contained Gorton sweeps and passes all day on a slippery field, stretching most every series Gorton ran to the full 3 downs or 3-and-out. Photo by WPCNR Sports


 


White Plains kicked off and stopped Gorton on downs, thanks to that “old reliable,” the Illegal Procedure penalty, that set Groton back to third and 9. After a pass failed to convert, Gorton naturally punted into the 15 knot East wind. Corretti shed a blocker coming in from the left side, got a piece of the ball. It popped in the air and hit on the 35, and Michael Johnson covered it on the 35. First down, White Plains.


 


6 for 6


 


After a Mike Devere pass over the middle couldn’t be handled, Devere handed off to Number 33 (Spencer Ridenhour) who started rumbling going left, going right, picking up momentum down the middle to the 13 yard line for a first down.


 


That worked so well, Devere gave it to him for the same play for 5 yard to the 8, another carry for 4 and on third and 1 from the four yard line, Spence was pushed by Devere for the first and goal. Ridenhour jammed in for his first rushing touchdown of the year at 7:04. The booming extra point by Pablo Siaba cleared not only the uprights but landed in a church yard across the street to make it 7-0. The Tigers, with Devere handling the ball crisply and the offensive line clearing the smaller Wolves with strong surges set the tone for the day.


 


FUMMMMBOOOOOL!  And a  TD Flyer.


 


Two minutes later, the Tigers scored again on another “good hands” play. The Wolves attempted a reverse in the back field and the handoff was missed. There it was the football free on the grass at the Gorton 25. Evan McGuire smothered it for the turnover.


 


On First from the Gorton 25, “Lefty” Devere rolled slight to his left. Ryan Smalls lit out diagonally for the sideline to the 10. Devere lead him perfectly over Ryan’s right shoulder and he was long gone, ahead of the back with the angle and inside the goal line


Pontoon for his first touchdown of the season. Siaba kicked the point and it was 14-0 with 4:52 to go in the first quarter.


 


Ridenhour Picks Them Off.


 


White Plains came right back after holding Gorton on downs, and drove to the Gorton 10 as the first quarter ended, only to be stopped on fourth down at the 10 when they fumbled. Gorton tried to pass their way out after being pushed back to their own two yard line. Not a good thing to pass deep in your own territory. Their quarterback’s pass in the right flat was read perfectly be Spencer Ridenhour who picked it off at the 15 and gleefully lightfooted it into paydirt for a 20-0 lead. Siaba’s point made it 21-0.


 



 


KILLING CLOCK in the Third Quarter. The Tigers moved the ball at will, taking “comeback time” off the clock. Photo by WPCNR


 


 


Gorton scored at the end of the first have on a quarterback draw play on fourth down and added a trick 2-point conversion to make the score 21-8 at the half.


 


Third Quarter Defense Comes Through.


 


White Plains took the kickoff in the second half and drove to the Gorton 33 and the strong running of Ike Nduka who picked up 11 and 8 yards, complementing Spencer. A fumble turned the ball over at the Gorton 30, but White Plains got it right back.


 


Gorton on their first play from their own 30, fired a pass to the right flat near the sideline, behind the receiver. Mike Lane dove to his knees caught the moist football in front of him when he was going down, bellied it,  and came up with a critical “pick,” taking away Gorton’s shot at getting back in the game. With the score 21-8 at the time, it was a great play, the third defensive gem of the game for White Plains. White Plains took over, first and 10 at the 40.


 


All Nduka All the Time.


 


Then Ike Nduka out of tailback, took up where he had left off.  After Ryan Smalls was interfered with on the Gorton 15, White Plains moved up to first and 10 on the 25.


 


It was Nduka for 5 to the 20. Then it was Nduka again, up the middle, hitting one tackler, spinning off, gaining momentum, scattering Wolves like puppies, breaking about 5 tackles, “rumblin’” in the best Jim Brown tradition all the way to the 2. An 18-yard pickup.


 


The next play was easy. Nduka again up the middle for the touchdown. Siaba booted the point and it was 28-8 with 7:18 to play in the third quarter.


 


White Plains kept Gorton in check, wasting a few mini drives by fumbles, but it did not matter the rest of the way. Gorton scored their final touchdown in the last two minutes with the game well in hand.



 


White Plains “Tigerettes” and Gorton “Vixens” Combined to Entertain the Fans. Photo by WPCNR Sports


 


Offense Poised. Defense Pouncy.


 


The play of the White Plains line opened holes well, and the ability to “show throw” caught Gorton unprepared to stop Ridenhour at the very opening drive, and made Nduka particularly effective in the third and fourth quarters. Unofficially, I would guess White Plains gained around 250 yards rushing in this one, had to have a great edge in time of possession.


 


White Plains generated touchdowns from four turnovers, three of them created.


 


 On offense, the cohesive line play and precise routes and timing by the running backs in taking the handoffs from Devere and hitting the holes was outstanding.


 


The New Toe in Town.


 


The talk of the stands was Pablo Siaba’s extra points. He is now 5 for 5. When was the last time, we have seen that?  I mean he booms them through the uprights and brings foot to the ball quickly, with the style and consistency of a professional football kicker. As one Papa Tiger said in the stands, “I’ve never seen extra points like this at this level.” Way to go, Pablo.


 


The Grandstand Offensive Coordinators were having dreams of Field Goals dancing in their visions down the gridiron road.


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

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Executive Spano Calls for Proposals for 9-11 Memorial

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. Coverage From Westchester County Department of Communications. September 11, 2003: County Executive Andy Spano today announced that Westchester County is seeking proposals from artists to design a memorial to the 111 Westchester County residents who died on Sept. 11, 2001.


Spano made the announcement at a memorial event at Webb Field in Greenburgh to commemorate the second anniversary of 9/11 and break ground on another memorial – a wall of more than 2,000 tiles designed by Westchester residents.


During his speech to those gathered at Webb Field, the County Executive said that a committee made up of emergency personnel, family members of 9-11 victims, planners and parks officials have been working to find a location for the memorial and to come up with criteria for a design. The memorial will be located at the Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla.



“On Sept. 15 we will release a Request for Proposals asking artists nationwide to design a memorial to the 111 Westchester residents who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001,’’ said Spano. “It is important that the memorial reflect the sorrow at the loss of so many people from different walks of life, but at the same time the design must convey a sense of hope and renewal. It is a difficult task, but I am sure that we will find an artist or design team that is up to the challenge.’’


More than 1,000 post cards announcing the county’s search for a design are being sent to artists and local arts councils nationwide. Information about the project as well as copies of the RFP can be downloaded from the county’s website at www.Westchestergov.com


 Artists must submit proposals to the committee by Jan. 15, 2004. The 27-member memorial committee will then select finalists who will be asked to make a formal presentation before the committee. The county hopes to announce a winner by April with construction to begin by July.


The memorial would be dedicated on Sept. 11, 2005.  The total cost of the monument would be $200,000 with $150,000 coming from county funds and $50,000 from state funds.


While the RFP states that the committee expects that the memorial will be some type of sculpture, it is open to other ideas, as long as the proposal meets other criteria. The memorial should fit in with the landscape at Kensico and take into account that residents will be using the area for recreation as well.


Juliette Brisman, whose husband Mark died while working at the World Trade Center, said the committee had agreed that the Kensico Dam Plaza was the most fitting location for the memorial because of its central location in Westchester and the fact that it was visited by thousands of people each year. In 2002, more than 40,000 people visited the park.


Brisman said that the committee’s key concern was that the memorial reflect the individuals who died. One idea discussed was to have a friend or family member write a short line about each victim that could be inscribed on the monument.


“A name on the monument was not enough,’’ she said. “We wanted people to know who our loved ones really were,’’ she said.


She added, “We also wanted the memorial to be low enough to the ground for children and so people could touch or walk through it.”


Spano said it would be up to the artist to propose a monument that both reflected the loss to the nation as well as the individual.


“This was a large loss for us all,’’ said Spano. “But I think the family members would like the memorial to serve as a reminder of the individual and what their deaths meant to their families and communities as well as to the nation.’’

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Board of Elections Reports Hickey Lead 12 Over Munoz. 90

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WPCNR PRIMARY REPORT. By John F. Bailey. UPDATED Friday, September 12, 2003, 10:30 P.M.: Official Board of Elections results for the White Plains Republican Primary Results have been posted showing all 30 Election Districts involved Tuesday night. The vote totals are lower than phoned in to Republican Headquarters. The spread between Rosa Munoz and Daniel Hickey has been almost cut in half, showing Timothy Sheehan the leader at 884, Jeffrey Binder second, 829, Daniel Hickey holding his lead for the third slot on the Republican Council slate with 790, by 12 votes over the Rosa Munoz’ 778.


The Absentee Ballot Desk reported to WPCNR that Absentee Ballots were opened and counted election night, and as of Thursday afternoon, 23 Absentee Ballots were left to be counted, and they can come in through next Tuesday. The Recanvass will take place Monday at 2 PM at the Board of Elections.


Jeffrey Binder relayed to WPCNR Friday afternoon, that the 23 votes are not the only votes to be counted. He notes that there are 61 Affidavit Ballots, and 6 Emergencies, in addition to the 23 Absentees to be evaluated and tallied. Affidavit Ballots are ballots filled out by persons arriving at the polling place, claiming they are Registered Republicans, but who are not listed as being Republicans on the official registration lists. “Emergencies” are filled in ballots that are completed when a voting machine is down.


 


Daniel Hickey according to the BOE results reported Thursday at midday, holds a 12-vote lead over Rosa Munoz with those 23 Absentee Ballots, the Affidavit Ballots, and Emergencies  left to be opened and tallied. That reckoning will take place Wednesday, according to Co Chairman of the Board Elections, Carolee Sunderland’s office. The Official Recanvass will not be held Friday, but Monday afternoon at 2 PM, according to Ms. Sunderland’s Office. Asked why there was a delay in reporting officially the missing districts Tuesday, the spokesperson said they had to open the bags to get out the reporting sheets of the missing districts and enter them.


The discrepancy between what was phoned in to Republican Headquarters by their poll-watchers and the official results was unexplained, most likely a result of misreads by overeager Republican poll watchers due to election night excitement.


The Official Recanvass Monday will set the stage for the final certified result that will be declared after the 7 day wait for Absentee Ballots to roll in. As of 1 PM Thursday afternoon, there are 23 to be counted.


The Board of Elections counted some absentee ballots Tuesday night, at that time, 44 Republican Absentees were reported left to be counted, which apparently accounts for Hickey’s lead narrowing. FONT>


According to the Board of Elections Absentee Ballot Desk at 4 PM, 89 Absentee Ballots were counted by the BOE Election Night with Mr. Sheehan receiving 18, Mr. Binder, 22, Mr. Hickey 29 and Ms. Munoz 20.


The Board of Elections website reports, with all 30 districts counted, and 74% of Absentee Ballots counted the following tally:


Timothy Sheehan 884


Jeffrey Binder 829


Daniel Hickey 790


Rosa Munoz   778

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Executive Spano Observes 9/11 Remembrance at Noon

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Westchester County Department of Communications. September 11, 2003: Westchester County Executive Andy Spano will join representatives from the Rotary Club, Westchester Arts Council, the Town of Greenburgh and Project Liberty-Westchester at 12 noon to break ground on a memorial mural to victims of 9/11 at Webb Field in Greenburgh.


The memorial, composed of more than 2,000 hand-painted tiles created by county residents, was designed though the Westchester Arts Council and commissioned by Project Liberty-Westchester with funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The Town of Greenburgh donated the site and the Rotary Club’s International District 7230 is funding construction of the wall.


At the event, Spano will make an announcement about Westchester’s own 9/11 monument, which will be built by Westchester County at Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla. Westchester has been working for more than a year with a committee of families members of 9/11 victims to design and build a memorial to the 111 Westchester residents who died in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.


Spano will update residents on the latest developments in the construction of Westchester County’s memorial.


 Webb Field is located on Central Avenue in Hartsdale.


In White Plains, Grace Church will present a Memorial Service also at noon. This evening Mayor Joseph Delfino will participate in a Memorial Service at the Church in the Highlands at 7:30 PM.

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Westchester County Establishes Relations with Italy

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WPCNR WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From  Lynn Bedell, Westchester County Department of Communications. (EDITED) September 10, 2003:  Tuesday  in Milan, Italy, County Executive Andrew J. Spano opened up a “Westchester Desk” as part of an agreement with the Italian Center for Commercial Affairs-USA (ICCA) – a move which should pave the way for Westchester companies interested in doing business in Italy.


  The Westchester Desk, which will operate out of ICCA’s offices at no charge to the county, will work with the county’s Office for Economic Development to promote trade, business opportunities, industrial cooperation, and cultural and technological exchange between key cities in Italy and Westchester County. Even small companies – which might otherwise never pursue overseas sales – will be able to get assistance entering a global market.


 


 



“This partnership will ensure that Westchester companies obtain a leading share of the ever-increasing growth in international trade,” Spano said.  “Having a physical presence in a key region of Italy will let us better promote Westchester as a global center of excellence and open doors for local businesses.”


Spano noted that the inauguration was attended by high ranking officials in the Italian region, including the commercial attache from the US Dept. of Commerce and his Italian counterpart. An Italian manager, Salvatore Cicco, will staff the desk.


The creation of a Westchester Desk was the culmination of a week of economic and other meetings by a county delegation in the cities of Genoa, Turin, and Milan. Besides Spano, the delegation included Salvatore Carrera, director of Economic Development; Joseph Stout, parks commissioner; Marsha Gordon, executive director of the County Chamber of Commerce; White Plains Mayor Joseph Delfino; Jerry Mulligan, planning commissioner; Margo Jones, director of tourism; and county CIO Norm Jacknis. The trip was paid for by the Italian cities being visited.


 


The delegation embarked on the week-long trip, which ended today, as part of a long-term strategy to promote international trade and help companies here in Westchester. A similar delegation, also led by Spano, visited China in August 2002 to scout out opportunities and cultivate new business relationships.


Italy’s Westchester Desk will be involved with public relations, promotion, exhibits and fairs, and the representation and distribution of Westchester products and services, as well as offer administrative support for the Italian business presence of these companies. 


In Genoa, the delegation was welcomed as the first such group from America to come for trade discussions. Members met with several Italian companies whose interests ranged from wanting to learn about office space for American headquarters to seeking partners for innovative new technology projects.  The county executive also met with the president of the Liguria Region (equivalent to governor of a state), mayor of Genoa, the leaders of the local business community and a group of technology companies that have organized a “virtual technology park” similar to Westchester’s Information Technology Cluster.


In Turin, Spano and the delegation met with leaders of the regional organization responsible for global trade and economic growth opportunities, who were enthusiastic about the possibilities of mutual economic growth. They felt their companies could help Westchester companies increase sales in the European market while Westchester companies could do the same in North America.


Other highlights included:


·        Discussion with the leading European superconductivity firm, Ansaldo Superconduttori, about its role in the multinational demonstration project of plasma/fusion energy and the possibility of replacement of nuclear fission at Indian Point.


·        Signing of a joint venture on park planning with six mayors in the Milan area.


·        Briefings by the American consulate in Milan and discussions with both the Milan mayor and the head of the Italian national chamber of commerce.

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Sheehan and Binder 1-2, Hickey by 23 over Munoz. Absentees to Decide

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WPCNR PRIMARY NIGHT. By John F.  Bailey. September 9, 2003: In the Republican Primary for Common Council in White Plains tonight, unofficial counts phoned in from poll watchers to White Plains Republican Primary Night Headquarters with all Districts in show Tim Sheehan the top vote getter with 920 votes, Jeffrey Binder runnerup with 859, Dan Hickey the challenger of the Republican Ticket with 830 votes, and Rosa Munoz with 807. The margin is 23 votes. Jeffrey Binder noting the 27 vote margin at 10 P.M. with District 39 missing, said “This is too close to call, it’s going to be decided by absentee ballots.



WAITING FOR THE LAST DISTRICT: Jeffrey Binder, left, and Tim Sheehan, at the keyboard at Dooley Mac’s Tuesday night, waiting for the report of District 39, which showed that the Munoz-Hickey battle for the third slot on the Republican Council Ticket was going to Overtime. Absentee Ballots will determine whether Dan Hickey’s bid for Council will forward. Photo by WPCNR News


Binder learned from Carolee Sunderland, the Co-Chair of the County Board of Elections that 142 absentee ballots were requested by Republicans and mailed out, and 44 were returned. Sheehan said moments ago in a telephone call to WPCNR, there was going to be a recanvass Friday. Binder said absentee ballots are due in postmarked one week from today. Only at that time, he said, would the ballots be opened at the Board of Elections.


In rough analysis of yet another close White Plains election, Binder and William Waterman each noted that Hickey was stronger in the Southend of White Plains, where what Sheehan characterized as “a strong, organized get out the vote campaign” helped Hickey do well. Hickey and Munoz were about even in the HIghlands area, and the Northend was stronger for Munoz.



OVERTIME! Scrawled final tally before the final District 39 numbers were acquired, confirming what Sheehan and Binder already knew, we’re going to overtime! Photo by WPCNR News


Rough counts from the sign in sheets delivered from voting locations around the city, showed 3,368 Registered Republicans voted out of 7,800 registered. But, as Sheehan pointed out to his colleagues, you can’t tell how many came out and just voted for their favorite, since each Republican could vote for three candidates. “It shows the importance of the crossover vote in White Plains,” Sheehan said.


Binder and Sheehan were asked by WPCNR how this result, if Hickey held his lead, would alter their campaign. Would they campaign with Hickey as a Republican, or campaign against him, in favor of Munoz, whom if she is defeated eventually by Hickey, would still be on the Independence Party and Conservative lines?


Binder said, “Frankly, we had not thought about it.”


Asked how yet another unanticipated delay meant the Republican Council crusaders would delay the start of serious campaigning against incumbent councilmen Benjamin Boykin and Robert Greer and first-time candidate Arnold Bernstein, Binder said “Our campaign will go forward regardless.”


Sheehan, on the telephone announcing the final count, was obviously pained by the razor thin 23-vote margin that Rosa Munoz was trailing Hickey. He said there was no way to tell exactly whether the absentee ballots favored Munoz or Hickey.


As I departed Dooley Mac’s out into the parking lot, I could not help but think of two other very close elections in White Plains in each of the last three years that went down to the wire and past it. The 2001 Hockley-Delgado election still has not been decided, and Councilman Glen Hockley serves by the grace of the Court of Appeals and the deliberateness of the Appellate Court in Brooklyn. The 2002 Democratic Primary featured Adam Bradley easing past Naomi Matusow by 23 votes only after two weeks of waiting for Absentee Ballots to be counted. Now, it’s 2003, and we have another race not decided on Election Night.

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Bet Am Shalom Fire Under Control at 1 PM. Temple, Artifacts, Building Saved

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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. By John F. Bailey.  September 9, 2003: White Plains Commissioner of Public Safety Dr. Frank Straub at the scene reported the Bet Am Shalom fire Tuesday morning has been brought under control as of 1 PM after approximately three hours. He said the efforts of 75 fire fighters,  50 from White Plains, and 25 from Hartsdale, Greenville and New Rochelle had been able to save the building. He reported the religious artifacts from the temple had been saved and that the primary place of worship had suffered little damage. He reported the roof on the “older portion” of the building is gone, but the building saved.


Straub said there was nothing suspicious about the origin of the fire. He said the cause appeared to be electrical because it had been burning for some time, noting “the walls were hot when we got there.” He said as of 1 PM the firefighters were still putting out “a few hot spots.” He said the crews would then clean up the premises of debris and conditions created by the fire fighting procedures.
 



UNDER CONTROL. NOT SUSPICIOUS. SAVED. The Bet Am Shalom Synagogue at 1 o’clock today, smouldering but under control. Photo by WPCNR News

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